Private Label Footwear FAQ
Private Label Footwear FAQs
Clear answers to the questions brands ask most before starting a footwear project with Lajwanti Designers — design, sampling, MOQ, materials, customisation, branding, packaging and development. If your question is not here, message us on WhatsApp and we will answer directly.
8 topic groups
50+ answers
B2B enquiries only
01
Getting Started
What to expect before you send us a brief, and how the process begins.
No. A sketch, reference photo, moodboard or short written brief is enough to begin. We review what you send and build the specification with you as the design is confirmed — you do not need a technical background.
Category, style direction, target market, references and a rough quantity or budget if you have one. If you already have a design, sample or tech pack, send those instead. A sketch, photo or short paragraph is enough to start.
Timelines depend on the number of styles, materials and complexity. Women's samples usually take 10–14 days once the design and specification are approved. Bulk production usually takes about 4–6 weeks after sample approval. You receive a clear timeline in your quote.
Yes. We support international B2B brands across the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Australia. Everything runs through WhatsApp, email and video calls — you do not need to visit in person.
We are a B2B footwear design and development team. We work with brands, boutiques, designers, workwear and safety footwear brands, and other professional buyers — not with individual retail customers.
Yes. Share your brand guide, existing collection and price point. We design the footwear to sit alongside what you already sell — same customer, same brand language, same price band.
02
Design & Development
How design, collection development and customisation work together on a project.
Design decides what the shoe looks like — silhouette, panels, heel, materials, colourways. Development makes that design real — specification, sampling, fit review, material selection and approval. We do both, as one connected process.
Yes. We use your reference as a starting point and change the shape, materials and details so the final design is your own — not a copy. Customisation is how a reference becomes your design.
Yes. We can develop a single style or a coordinated range across silhouettes, materials, colourways and seasons so the collection works together as one line.
Yes. Our reference designs are starting points — you can customise any of them. Most brands change materials, colours, heel shape and hardware details so the final design is theirs, not a copy.
Silhouette, toe shape, heel shape and height, materials, colourways, trims, hardware, finishes, branding and packaging — depending on the design and confirmed availability. We confirm what is possible for your specific design before sampling.
There is no hard line — it depends on the design. Detail changes (logo, hardware) sit at one end; a full redesign of silhouette, materials and construction sits at the other. We tell you which level your brief sits at, so you know what you are getting.
No. Many brands start with one small capsule, sample it, and extend the range next season once the first styles are proven. This is often faster and cheaper than building a full range before you have tested the direction.
Yes. If you already sell a working collection, we can develop new styles that sit alongside it — same direction, new silhouettes or colourways — without redesigning what is already selling.
03
Samples
How samples work, what they cost, and what to expect from the sample stage.
No. Samples are paid and are made against the specification agreed in writing. There is no free sample stage. This is standard across B2B footwear development.
No. Sample cost is non-refundable once work on the sample begins. The sample is a physical build against your confirmed specification — the cost covers design confirmation, materials, construction and shipping. This is standard across B2B footwear development.
The sample price is quoted after we review your full brief, references, materials and specifications. The price reflects your exact project — the style, materials, construction and branding you need — rather than a flat figure. You receive a written sample price, shipping cost and timeline before we begin.
Women's samples usually take 10–14 days once the design and specification are approved. Timelines depend on the style, materials and construction. Men's and work & safety samples vary — you will get a clear timeline in your sample quote.
Yes. If you have a reference, sketch or a strong direction, we can confirm the sample specification with you as part of the request. If you have no design yet, start with a quote request or send references on WhatsApp and we will advise the right starting point.
The sample is built against the specification you confirm in writing before we begin — materials, colours, sizing, construction and branding. The more detail you share at the request stage, the closer the sample will be to your direction. You approve the spec before we start building.
Yes. Tell us the number of samples and the styles in the request. Sample pricing for multiple samples is confirmed in your quote. Many brands sample two or three styles together to compare a range.
Once you approve the sample, the approved specification goes into your private-label quote with minimum order, lead time and packaging confirmed in writing. This is the point where production planning begins.
04
MOQ & Pricing
Minimum order quantities, how pricing is quoted, and what affects the numbers.
For women's shoes, the usual first order is 120 pairs total, structured as 12 pairs per design, per colour. Men's footwear minimum is kept flexible and low; the exact figure is confirmed in your quote. Work and safety footwear follows its own minimums, confirmed in your quote.
Pricing depends on the design, materials, construction, quantity, branding and packaging. You receive a written quote with the full breakdown once the design and specification are confirmed. We do not publish flat prices because every project is different.
For women's footwear, 120 pairs total is the standard first order — structured as 12 pairs per design, per colour. This lets you spread the order across multiple styles and colourways without overcommitting on a first run. Men's minimum is kept flexible; the exact figure is confirmed in your quote.
Yes. Material choice is one of the biggest drivers of per-pair cost. We review material options against your target price point so the design stays on budget, and flag any trade-offs in writing before sampling.
Payment terms are confirmed in your quote and order confirmation. Typically, production begins with a deposit, and the balance is settled before dispatch. Exact terms depend on the project and are documented in writing.
A sample is a single, physical shoe — built so you can review the fit, materials, construction and branding before committing to a production run. A full order is a production run of the approved design at minimum order quantity, ready to ship to your market.
05
Materials & Colours
How materials and colourways are chosen, reviewed and confirmed.
Yes. Share your brand guide or existing range and we match the design, materials and colourways to it. Pantone matching can be arranged on request. Final shades are always reviewed as physical swatches before sampling.
We source materials as part of the project. If you already work with a supplier or have a specific material in mind, share the details at the brief stage and we will work with them.
Yes. Physical swatches are reviewed as part of the project. Colour and finish look different on a screen, so we always confirm materials with physical swatches before sampling.
It comes down to three things: the look you want, the price point you are working to, and how the shoe will be worn. We review all three and propose a material direction that fits your brand rather than pushing a single option.
It depends on your market and range size. Most collections hold a small set of core colours (black, nude, tan) plus a couple of seasonal accents. We help you decide what fits your brand rather than adding colour for its own sake.
Where a material is available and appropriate for the design and price point, we can propose it. Availability varies by category and market, so tell us your requirement at the brief stage and we will confirm what is realistic for your project.
06
Branding & Packaging
Logo placement, insoles, labels, packaging and presentation.
Yes. Logo placement on insoles, socks, lining, upper or sole — using foil, emboss, deboss, print, woven labels or embroidery depending on the material. Branded hardware (buckles, rivets, tags) is also available where the style calls for it.
Yes. Custom packaging is available from a minimum of 500 boxes. If you order more boxes than your first shipment needs, the extra boxes can either be stored in our warehouse for your future orders, or shipped to you with your order — whichever you are more comfortable with.
No. Custom packaging is not available at the sample stage. It starts from a 500-box minimum at production. On the sample, we can apply logo placement on the shoe, insole or brand label so you see the finished look.
Yes. Send your brand guide, logo files and any existing packaging you use. We match the branding, colours and presentation to what you already have, so the collection feels consistent with the rest of your brand.
Tell us at the brief stage. We can propose a direction for logo placement, packaging and presentation that fits your brand and market — you do not need a finished brand guide to get started, but the more you can share, the sharper the proposal will be.
Yes — some branding options add cost (custom hardware, complex packaging, premium materials) and some are more economical (printed insole, simple woven label). We confirm the cost impact in writing before sampling.
07
Categories
What footwear categories we develop and how the routes differ.
We develop women's footwear (heels, flats, sandals, loafers, platforms, wedges, bridal and boots), men's footwear (formal, casual, loafers, boots, sandals and slides), and a dedicated work & safety footwear route for occupational brands.
High heels, block heels, pumps, flats, sandals, loafers, platforms, wedges, bridal and occasion styles, and boots. Each category can be developed as a single style or as part of a coordinated collection.
Oxford, Derby, Monk Strap, loafers and moccasins, men's casual shoes, men's boots, sandals and slides, plus a separate safety and work footwear range. Sneakers are excluded from our men's development scope.
No. Sneakers are excluded from our men's development scope. Our focus is formal, fashion, casual, boots, sandals and a separate safety and work range.
Yes, on a dedicated route separate from fashion footwear. The scope covers safety shoes, safety boots, work shoes and corporate or uniform footwear. This route is for qualified B2B buyers — workwear brands, PPE suppliers, uniform suppliers and safety footwear brands.
Yes, but most brands develop the ranges separately because the customer and design language are usually different. We can develop both, and we keep the development routes clearly separated.
08
Shipping & Logistics
How samples and orders reach your market, and what is confirmed in your quote.
Yes. We support worldwide shipping and the details are confirmed in your quote. Compliance and labelling requirements for your destination market can be built into the project from the brief stage.
Shipping terms, customs and import duties are confirmed in your quote. Depending on the destination and Incoterms you choose, either you or we handle specific parts of the process — the exact split is documented in writing before dispatch.
Yes. Size marking, country-of-origin labelling, care and material labels, and carton marking can be arranged to match the requirements of the market you are selling into, along with any brand-specific label or packaging details.
Where a shipping issue arises, it is raised with you with details, and options are agreed in writing before any decision is made. The goal is to catch issues early — before they affect your customers or your season.
Still Have A Question?
If it is not answered here, message us.
Send your question on WhatsApp or use the quote form. We reply during business hours, Monday to Saturday, and every enquiry is read by the team — not a bot.
Your Brand. Your Collection.
Ready to start your footwear project?
Send your category, references, target market and timeline. We will reply with design direction and how sampling would work.