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Key takeaways

  • Keep the collection, artwork, sample garments, creative team and final content in one brief, with a separate shoot date and launch date.
  • Confirm sample arrival, garment sizes, crew availability, edited deliverables and intended usage before committing to a shoot.
  • A shortlist does not confirm a booking, and a ready artwork file does not replace approval of the actual production proof.
  • Changes to a quoted blankup launch brief require a revised proposal; linked merchandise and design records need their own review.

1. Give the whole team the same brief

Start with the audience, collection, total budget and date when the finished work needs to be ready. Separate the garments you need to sell or distribute from the sample garments needed for photography. A shoot date and a launch date are different milestones: the time between them has to cover selects, edits, your review and preparing the store.

State which services you need: merchandise, artwork, models, photography, video or a combination. In Launch studio, you can describe the project before signing in and leave unknowns for the team to discuss.

2. Check the artwork on the actual garment

A logo file alone is not a production specification. Record the garment style and color, decoration method, placement and intended dimensions. Check each combination against the production requirements. A file that works on one garment or with one method may need adjustment for another.

Keep the proof you approve linked to the exact artwork version. If the artwork or placement changes, review its effect on production and any samples already made. The artwork preparation guide and artwork checker can help you prepare files for team review.

3. Make samples a shoot milestone

Agree which styles, colors and sizes will appear on camera. Check the sample for fit, finish, decoration and the way it photographs. Before committing to a shoot, confirm that the required garments will be at the location and ready to wear. Include time for delivery, inspection, steaming and any necessary replacement.

Keep requested, estimated and confirmed dates separate. A production estimate does not include every shipping or review step, and a customer report that samples are ready is not the same as confirmation from the crew.

4. Match the creative team to the work

Choose a designer whose portfolio fits the artwork you need, and photography or video specialists whose work fits the intended images. For models and crew, discuss location, availability, the proposed schedule and the agreed use of the finished content. A shortlist is a preference; it becomes a booking only through the agreed process.

Use the registered creative roster to explore published portfolios, or leave matching to the team. Put the same brief in front of everyone so the design direction, garments and campaign treatment stay aligned.

5. Build a shot list from the collection

List the actual garments and colorways first. Then agree the coverage and final deliverables. The examples below are planning prompts, not an included package or a fixed number of assets.

Product views

Front and back views for each agreed style or colorway, with consistent framing.

Construction & detail

Decoration, texture, closures or other details a shopper needs to understand.

On-model images

Agreed looks and compositions that show the garment’s fit and styling.

Campaign & video

Hero images, vertical clips, video duration, aspect ratios and edited versions for the intended channels.

Write down edited asset counts, delivery formats, review rounds and intended channels. Discuss duration and territories of use in the proposal. Keep the final agreement with the assets so a future campaign can be checked against what was agreed.

6. Review the launch as one connected project

Before publishing, check that product names, color labels, garment details, images and delivery information agree. Review the selected edits against the shot list and confirm that the final files are usable in the store and campaign placements. Keep a clear record of which items are approved and which still need work.

In blankup, your saved launch brief connects to merchandise and design work. If you edit a quoted brief, request a revised proposal. Connected production and design records retain their existing details, so review affected dates, quantities and artwork with the team rather than assuming a change has updated every record.

Turn the checklist into your launch plan

Bring your idea, what you already have and the outcome you need. Add preparation details as they become known. Build your launch brief to bring merchandise, creative preferences and content production together.