Custom Silk Scarves FAQ: Every Question We Get Asked, Answered
Quick answer: LS Silk NZ produces custom silk scarves for galleries, museums, artists, schools, and corporate clients across New Zealand and Australia. Minimum orders start from around 50 pieces per design. The process runs from brief and artwork review through to sampling, production, and delivery — allow six to ten weeks from confirmed brief to arrival in New Zealand. Below is every question we get asked, answered in full.
Some questions come up in almost every first conversation. Others arrive mid-project when a decision point appears that nobody planned for. This page collects both — the predictable questions and the ones that tend to catch people off guard. If yours is not here, it is a good reason to get in touch.
Before diving in, you may find it helpful to read our complete guide to ordering custom silk scarves in New Zealand, which covers the full process in depth.
About the process
How does the custom silk scarf process work?
Every project moves through five stages: brief and artwork review, sampling, bulk production, quality control, and delivery to New Zealand. From confirmed brief to delivery in New Zealand, allow six to ten weeks. Read our full production timeline guide.
Do I need to know exactly what I want before I make contact?
No. Many clients come to us with an idea and a deadline but without a fully formed specification. Read our brief guide and template to prepare for the first conversation.
Can I see a sample before committing to a full order?
Yes, and we recommend it. A colour strike sample is produced on the actual fabric using the actual print process. Sampling is charged separately and takes seven to fifteen working days.
What happens if the sample is not right?
We work through the specific issues and produce a revised sample. There is no circumstance in which we proceed to bulk production without your explicit approval of the physical sample.
About minimum orders and quantities
What is the minimum order quantity?
Around 50 pieces per design. Read our cost guide to understand how quantity affects per-unit pricing.
Can I order multiple designs at the same time?
Yes. Multiple designs can be produced in the same production run, subject to each design meeting the minimum order quantity.
About artwork and files
What file format should I submit?
Vector files — AI or PDF — for graphic designs. High-resolution PSD, TIFF, or PNG for painterly or photographic artwork. All files in RGB colour mode. Minimum 300 DPI at actual scarf dimensions. Read our full artwork preparation guide.
Does the artwork need to be adapted for the scarf format?
Often, yes. Read our design guide to understand the adaptation process and our border and hem colour guide for finishing decisions.
Can I use artwork that I do not own the copyright to?
No. All artwork submitted must be original work or artwork for which you hold the rights to reproduce commercially.
About fabrics, sizes, and finishing
What fabrics do you offer?
Three standard options: 100% silk twill at 14mm, 100% silk crêpe de chine at 14mm, and 100% silk chiffon at 8mm. Read our fabric comparison guide and our momme weight guide.
What sizes are available?
Square scarves from 35 × 35cm to 138 × 138cm, long scarves at 45 × 200cm or 65 × 200cm, and skinny scarves at 9 × 100cm. Read our size guide.
What is the difference between a hand-rolled hem and a machine-sewn hem?
Read our full guide to hand-rolled vs machine hem.
Is there a white ink available for areas of the design that should be white?
No. There is no white ink in digital silk printing. Areas of the design that are white in the artwork file will print as the natural colour of the silk ground — a warm ivory on most fabrics.
About colour and colour matching
What Pantone system should I use?
Pantone TCX — the Textile Cotton eXtended system. Not Pantone C (coated), which is calibrated for paper. Read our colour accuracy guide.
Can you match our brand colours exactly?
We can get close in most cases, but exact Pantone spot colour matching requires screen printing rather than digital printing. Read our guide to digital printing vs screen printing.
About pricing and payment
How much does a custom silk scarf cost?
There is no single answer — cost is the product of fabric choice, scarf size, quantity, hem finish, and whether sampling and packaging are included. Read our full cost guide.
Is there a charge for sampling?
Yes. Sampling is charged separately from bulk production.
About timelines and delivery
How long does the full process take?
Six to ten weeks from confirmed brief to delivery in New Zealand. Read our full timeline guide.
Do you deliver across New Zealand and Australia?
Yes. All orders are shipped by tracked, insured air freight to any address in New Zealand.
Are repeat orders faster?
Significantly. Repeat orders of an approved design skip the sampling stage and typically take four to five weeks from confirmed order to delivery.
About caring for custom silk scarves
How should a custom silk scarf be cared for?
Hand washing is the recommended method. Fill a clean basin with cool or lukewarm water. Add a small amount of gentle detergent suitable for delicate fabrics. Gently agitate for two to three minutes without rubbing or twisting. Rinse in cool clean water. Roll in a towel to remove excess moisture — do not wring. Lay flat to air dry in the shade. Never tumble dry. Iron on lowest heat with a dry iron and a protective cloth. Do not spray water directly onto silk when ironing.
Can custom silk scarves be dry cleaned?
Yes, though frequent dry cleaning is not recommended. For regular cleaning, gentle hand washing is preferable.
Will the colours fade over time?
Custom silk scarves printed with acid dyes and properly steam-set in production have good washfastness and lightfastness. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, hot water washing, and harsh detergents.
If your question is not answered here, or you would like to talk through a specific project, the most useful next step is a conversation.
Get in touch with LS Silk NZ →
Related reading: The complete guide to ordering custom silk scarves in New Zealand · How to brief a custom silk scarf project · How long does custom silk production take? · How much does a custom silk scarf cost? · How to prepare your artwork file