Frequently asked questions
Working together
Why do you charge separately for your services instead of adding a markup to products?
The first reason is for transparency. We separate our fees so that you know exactly how much the artisans are paid and how much the raw materials cost. The second reason is that we don’t want the services we offer to prevent an artisan brand from growing. So, as order sizes increase, our fees remain stable.
How will I be charged for the service fee?
We charge 50% of our fee to start the project, and 50% upon completion of the project. We can accept credit card payments for a 2.5% fee or direct bank transfers to our U.S. account.
Does your service fees change for reorders after the product has been developed?
Yes, reorders typically have a lower service fee. Once we’ve completed the initial development of your product or your first order with our artisan partners, we’re able to offer reduced fees for reorders. We encourage clients to build on existing designs rather than starting fresh each season, as this creates consistency for your brand and stability for the artisans. The exact fee depends on the product, the production process, and the order size, but for most clients, as their volume grows for the same item, our per-unit service fee goes down. Below is an example of how this can look.
What are the artisan’s payment terms and why are they shorter than industry norms?
The workshops and artisans we partner with mostly work contract to contract, so they require a shorter net payment due. It is very important for them to be paid on time, net 15 from the completion of the quality control inspection by us.
What is your minimum order required?
Each workshop or cooperative sets their own minimums which can vary depending on technique. For floorloom woven fabrics, the minimum is usually 25 yards. For backstrap woven fabrics, the minimum is usually 5 yards. For cut and sew the minimum requirement is 10 units per style.
Can I have design exclusivity if I produce with you?
It depends on the type of design.
Traditional Maya textile designs: Traditional motifs belong to the Maya communities who created them, so they cannot be offered as exclusive designs. If you choose to use traditional patterns, we ask that you credit the weavers as the designers of these motifs, honoring their cultural and artistic authorship.
Custom designs created for your brand: If you develop a custom design with us, we understand the importance of protecting your brand from copycats producing outside Guatemala. To support this, each artisan or workshop we collaborate with signs a non-legally binding agreement stating that they will not reproduce your custom designs for other clients without your permission.
This approach respects Maya cultural heritage while still giving your brand peace of mind for original work created through our partnership.
How long does Product Development Require?
Timelines vary by product type and number of designs, but here’s what you can generally expect:
Full Support Service Package: 6 months
Collaborative Design Service Package: 3 months
Production Support Service Package: 3 months (depending on order volume)
We’ll also share a development calendar at the start of your project so you always know what’s coming next.
Artisans and eTHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
How much do you pay the artisans you work with?
The artisans set the rate they determine as fair, we don’t negotiate down. This rate is always higher than what they can charge in the local market and working with other middlemen. In 2022 we did a study to ensure that the foot loom and backstrap weavers we work with receive the Guatemalan minimum wage per hour. The cut and sew workshop we collaborate with is a Guatemalan registered business that pays minimum wage.
Are the artisans you work with certified?
We are a network of small workshops, cooperatives, and individual artisans. We aren’t certified. We believe that certifications are important in the fashion industry, and were built to hold large corporations accountable.
dESIGN AND pRODUCITON cAPABILITIES
What materials do you work with?
100% Cotton threads that are sourced here in Guatemala. we work with both synthetically dyed Azo-free threads and natural dyes. We have done some projects using jute as well.
What techniques can the artisans you partner with offer?
Floor Loom or Hand Loom Weaving - plain weave, tapestry, and brocade
Backstrap Weaving - plain weave and brocade
Surface Embroidery
Joinery Embroidery
Cut and Sew
Decorative Hand Stitching
Do you work elsewhere in Latin America?
We plan on expanding to Mexico and Peru in the future!