Custom Product Development & Production Management
We love working with designers and entrepreneurs who have ideas to develop their own unique, custom styles. We value the concept of 'co-creation', which means that the product will be developed based on the wishes and concept of the client, while also looking at the available materials and tools of the artisans and listening to their advices based on their experiences.
The product types we most often work with are (silver/gold-plated) jewelry, (vegetable tanned) leather products, ceramics, home accessories and furniture made of natural materials such as rattan. For regular updates about the projects we work on we recommend following us on Instagram: @thebalicurator.
If you would like to work with us on textile based products, such as fashion or cushions, please refer to our in-house Bali Sewing Studio.
Phase 1 - Preparation, Sourcing & Budgeting
As the saying goes, preparation is key to success. We will therefore start each project with a preparation phase. During this phase our team will have in-depth discussions with you about your vision for the products and we will start with sourcing. We may already have a relationship with a supplier for the materials that are needed and artisans to work on the project, or we may have to do custom sourcing, depending on the project. During the preparation stage we will help to turn the details and ideas for the project in briefs that will be understandable for the artisans. Also we will decide together on materials to be used, and which artisan(s) we will collaborate with for the project and we will work on a budgeting and timeline plan.
Typically Phase 1 will take around 4 - 6 weeks.
Phase 2 - Prototype Development
The next step will be the prototype development stage. This is a very important part of the process, as this is where the details of the product will be determined and confirmed. It is common that the first sample will need further development and revisions, and it is important to allow time for this process, because the quality and consistency of the production will mostly depend on the clarity of the details that are confirmed during the sample development process. During the sample development stage we will focus mainly on the shape, measurements and constructions of the product, the finishing may be sampled separately to keep the process efficient. For example, jewelry that will be gold-plated in production may be sampled in silver, while at the same time we also do plating samples separately, or leather products may be sampled in undyed leather, while at the same time we process dye samples.
Typically Phase 2 will take around 8 - 12 weeks.
Phase 3 - Pre-production, Production & Quality Control
Once all the products are confirmed, we will move forward to the production process. This process starts with confirming the PO and preparing the needed materials (the materials may need dyeing or another treatment before they are ready to be used in production). Then, we will have a pre-production sample made for each product in each color/size/variation, so we will have a confirmed reference at the start of production. This reference will be referred to during production and quality control. Most of our clients prefer to have 2 or 3 pre-production samples made, so they can use the samples for photoshoots or other marketing activities, while production is in process.
After production is finished, our team will do quality control on the products, based on the confirmed pre-production sample before the items are packed and shipped. If there are any items that do not pass the quality control we will ask the artisans to revise or remake them. This way we make sure that only approved items will be shipped to our client.
Typically Phase 3 will take around 16 weeks.
How to start?
Start by filling-out our enquiry form through the following link: Click here to access our enquiry form
Please make sure to attach a brief for each style that you would like to develop. “I would like to have some rattan chairs made” is not specific enough. We kindly ask you to provide a brief with reference pictures and a description of your ideas. Even better if you have technical drawings, 3D mock-ups or spec sheets, but if not, a brief with reference pictures and description will be sufficient to start with. All briefs that are sent to us will be treated confidentially and will never be used for other client’s or our own projects.
When we have received your form, we will review your enquiry and get back to you with a confirmation about whether or not we feel confident that we can work with you on the requested product type within the requested timeframe. If so, we will invite you for a videocall or meeting in our office to discuss further.
Based on this meeting, we will then create a custom proposal for you.
Please note that we usually have a waiting list for new projects, therefore we recommend reaching out to us around 1 - 2 months before your preferred start date, so we can book your start date in advance.
If you would like to get connected to artisans, but are not necessarily looking for development and production management services by our team, please have a look at our Sourcing Tour Service.
Or if you do not have a concept or idea for custom products, but would rather get inspired by what’s already available, our White Label Sourcing & Production Management Services may suit better to your needs.
“I have worked with The Bali Curator for the last few months and I could not be happier. The team is extremely helpful and go above and beyond to communicate the complicated world of manufacturing. The best bit is that they work ethically with the artisans of the island and work even harder to create products sustainably.”
Daisy Benson
“I have worked with The Bali Curator on my first collection for about 8 months and I couldn't praise them enough. The communication, transparency and profesionalism has been nothing but perfection and the product came out exactly as I have envisioned. The reason I have chosen Bali Curator was for their sustainability approach and innovation in this area. I can't wait to go to Bali and visit The Bali Curator HQ.”
Linda Impey
“Our team spent many months looking for a manufacturer to produce small wooden pots - which was easier said than done. We worked with many sourcing agents and directly with manufacturers, everywhere from Serbia to India, only to receive samples that were of bad quality. On a whim, I looked for sourcing agents in Bali and stumbled upon The Bali Curator. From our first email, communication was fantastic and the whole team was more than helpful. The quality of the product was 10x better than anything we had received before. Sourcing products and placing large orders sight unseen is always a stressful experience but The Bali Curator took away most of that stress and made sure to flawlessly get the job done - they went above and beyond expectations. I highly recommend them!”
Steven Petrillo