How to Brief a Custom Silk Scarf Project: What Your Supplier Actually Needs
Quick answer: A good custom silk scarf brief covers nine elements: intended use and audience, scarf size and shape, fabric type and momme weight, quantity, hem finish, colour references (ideally Pantone TCX), artwork file details, timeline and delivery date, and packaging and labelling needs. You do not need all of these locked in before making contact — but knowing which ones you have answers for makes the first conversation considerably more productive.
The brief is where a custom silk project either starts well or starts expensively. Not because the brief is complicated — it is not — but because the questions it answers are interconnected in ways that are not always obvious from the outside. A size decision affects cost. A timeline decision affects what finishing is possible. A colour reference decision affects whether the sample will need a second round. Getting these things clear before production begins is not bureaucracy. It is what makes the outcome match the intention.
What is the intended use and who is the audience?
This is the first question, and it frames everything else. The intended use determines the appropriate fabric, the right hem finish, whether packaging needs to be considered, what the price point tolerance is, and how the design should be approached. If you are not entirely sure of the answer, say so. The brief conversation is the right place to work it out.
What size and shape do you want?
Scarf size is a production decision as much as it is an aesthetic one. The dimensions you choose determine how many pieces can be cut from each metre of fabric — which directly affects the cost per unit. LS Silk NZ's standard size options cover square scarves from 35 × 35cm to 138 × 138cm, long scarves at 45 × 200cm or 65 × 200cm, and skinny scarves at 9 × 100cm. Read our full guide to choosing the right scarf size.
Which fabric and momme weight?
The three standard options at LS Silk NZ are silk twill at 14mm, silk crêpe de chine at 14mm, and silk chiffon at 8mm. Read our fabric comparison guide and momme weight guide to understand which suits your project.
How many pieces do you need?
Quantity affects cost more than almost any other variable. The minimum at LS Silk NZ is around 50 pieces per design. Above 100 pieces, the per-unit cost improves meaningfully. Read our cost guide to understand how quantity affects pricing.
What hem finish do you want?
Hand-rolled hem or machine-sewn hem. Read our full guide to hand-rolled vs machine hem to understand the difference and decide which is right for your project.
What are your colour references?
The correct colour reference system for textile printing is Pantone TCX. Read our colour accuracy guide for full detail on why Pantone C (coated) produces different results on fabric.
What is your artwork file situation?
The ideal: a production-ready file at 300 DPI at the actual scarf dimensions, in RGB colour mode, as an AI, PDF, PSD, TIFF, or PNG. Read our full artwork file preparation guide before submitting. And if you are still working on the design itself, read our guide to designing for silk.
What is your timeline?
A realistic end-to-end timeline from confirmed brief to delivery in New Zealand is six to ten weeks. Read our full production timeline guide to understand each stage.
What packaging and labelling do you need?
Packaging and labelling are worth raising early because they affect both the budget and the production timeline. A woven label identifying the fabric composition and care instructions is standard practice and in many markets a legal requirement for textile products.
The brief template
Intended use: [e.g. museum gift shop retail / graduation gift / corporate client gift / artist edition]
Audience: [e.g. gallery visitors / graduating students / senior corporate clients / artist's collectors]
Size: [e.g. 90 × 90cm square / 65 × 65cm square / 45 × 170cm long / not sure]
Fabric: [e.g. silk twill / crêpe de chine / chiffon / not sure]
Quantity: [e.g. approximately 80 / between 50 and 120 / not yet confirmed]
Hem finish: [e.g. hand-rolled / machine-sewn / not sure]
Colour references: [e.g. Pantone TCX references attached / Pantone C only / no references yet]
Artwork file: [e.g. production-ready AI file / high-resolution scan / low-res JPEG only / not yet created]
Timeline: [e.g. scarves needed by 15 November / no fixed deadline / first conversation only]
Packaging: [e.g. gift box with care card / woven label only / polybag / not yet decided]
Send this — or a rough version of it — as the starting point of your enquiry.
Start your brief with LS Silk NZ →
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need to brief a custom silk scarf project?
A useful brief covers nine elements: intended use and audience, scarf size and shape, fabric type and momme weight, quantity, hem finish, colour references (ideally Pantone TCX), artwork file details, timeline and delivery date, and packaging and labelling needs.
What colour reference system should I use for a custom silk scarf brief?
Pantone TCX (Textile Cotton eXtended) is the correct colour reference system for textile printing. Pantone C (coated) is calibrated for paper inks and produces different colours on fabric.
Do I need to have my artwork ready before I enquire about a custom silk scarf?
No — but it helps to know what state your artwork is in. Flag any issues at the brief stage so the timeline can be planned accordingly.
How far in advance should I start the brief process?
Ten weeks before the scarves need to be in hand is the recommended planning horizon.
Related reading: The complete guide to ordering custom silk scarves in New Zealand · How to prepare your artwork file · How long does custom silk production take? · How much does a custom silk scarf cost? · Custom silk scarves FAQ