DEALING WITH THE DOWNTURN-WHAT HAVE WE DONE FOR YOU LATELY?

Ok, so every day we get up and face the same depressing news and fear for the length and depth this downturn may take. We all have businesses to run, and as sales decline we find the need to fill in but have the issue of purchase minimums from vendors. At Style Source, we take our needs as a sign that our customers likely have those same needs. Our response is to temporarily lower our minimums to accomodate you. Effective February 1 we have lowered our re-order minimums to 10 dozen of a style/color. This means that any style you have ordered in the past may be re-ordered at a 10 dozen minimum with no surcharge. For new developments for existing customers, we will now accept 20 dozen minimums with a $225 development surcharge to cover some of our development expenses ( the 30 dozen minimum waives development fees). Our $375 development fee for new custom apparel remains in place for first time customers. These changes allow for greater flexibility and lower inventory investments.

Style Source remains one of the few alternatives for U.S.A. made custom private label apparel at low minimums. Fortunately, you do not have to sacrifice quality, timeliness or superior customer service for the flexibility we provide to clothing decorators, printers, embroiderers, tie dyers, or hand embellishers. We source fabrics and trims for you, create patterns, grade, make samples and provide technical input in both construction and apparel design. We are your one stop shop for all of your apparel needs.

CPSIA Delayed for 1 Year on Apparel Products

A just released statement has provided a one year moratorium for those apparel producers concerned about the new lead and pthalate testing requirements. Read the latest at
http://www.strtrade.com/wti/wti.asp?pub=0&story=30183&date=2%2F3%2F2009&company

This is particulary good news for crafters, as the policy wonks will actually now take the time to evaluate the impact these new requirements may have on specific industry segments and weigh the potential threats to children against the potential economic harm on products that were non-threatening in the first place.

One question we have been trying to have answered is cumulation. Current metal snaps are all made with lead as a componant, measured around 90ppm. The lead cores are typically coated with non-toxic coatings , which is nearly impossible to remove. If a garment contains 10 snaps would the garment then be rated at 90ppm X10 ? Could a child possibly get all ten snaps in its mouth when they are securely attached to different parts of the garment?

We now have a year to ponder, reflect, and act upon the supply chain to insure we are addressing lead as a hazard and minimizing its use. Sanity has prevailed!