MOQ, Lead Times & Sampling

UpperHand is built for factories and brands that need dependable footwear uppers manufacturing capacity without the overhead of a long-term commitment. Below you'll learn how we get started, what we need from you, and what to expect.

Minimum order

We produce from 100 pairs per week and scale up as your program grows — there is no hard ceiling. We add skilled sewers and lines to match your volume, whether you need a steady weekly run or supplementary capacity to cover a seasonal surge.

Every engagement starts with a sample

Nothing goes into production until you approve a physical sample. We'll turn your specs into sample uppers so you can confirm fit, construction, and finish before committing to volume. From our side, the sampling process helps us to lock in the correct construction details, QC specs, and materials.

The process, step by step

1. Sample Upper & Patterns — you send us a sample upper and the patterns for one size (or we help you build patterns).
   
2. Sampling & Quote — we cut and stitch a sample upper for your review, and quote a per unit price at different manufacturing volumes.
3. Approval — you approve, or we revise and re-sample.
4. Production — we cut, skive, stitch, and assemble your uppers in weekly runs.
5. QC & ship — every pair is inspected before it ships to your factory.

Lead times

Typical timelines: a first sample within about 2 weeks of receiving your sample upper and patterns; first production delivery about 6 weeks after you approve our sample; steady weekly shipments thereafter.

What we need from you

A a physical sample to replicate plus patterns for one size, your target weekly volume, your leather and component preferences (or let us source them — see Cut & Sew vs. Full-Service), and your target dates.

Request a Capacity Assessment

Tell us your volume and timeline, and we will come back with a quote and a schedule.