Frequently Asked Questions

We use solid brass and 304/316 stainless steel for our premium lines, with zinc alloy available for price-sensitive projects. Brass offers a dense, luxury feel and takes plating beautifully, while stainless steel delivers superior strength and corrosion resistance for structural parts. Material certificates are available with every order. Not sure which fits your product? Visit our materials page or send us your spec — our engineers will recommend the right option.

Solid brass through and through. Unlike brass-plated zinc alloy, solid brass will not expose a gray base metal when scratched, and it can be re-polished or re-plated years later. A simple magnet test tells part of the story, and solid brass is noticeably heavier than plated zinc alloy of the same size. For premium handbags and hard cases, we strongly recommend solid brass — it ages gracefully instead of peeling.

Both, depending on the application. 304 stainless steel is our standard for bag hardware: excellent corrosion resistance at an efficient cost. For hardware exposed to sweat, seawater or harsh environments — such as marine cases or outdoor luggage — we recommend 316, which contains molybdenum for superior resistance to chlorides. Neither grade rusts under normal use. Tell us where your product will be used and we will match the grade.

Three quick tests: weight — solid brass and steel are noticeably heavier; a scratch on an inconspicuous spot — plated zinc alloy reveals a dull gray layer underneath; and sound — solid metal rings clearer when tapped. Every order from us can include material certificates, and we welcome third-party verification through SGS or similar labs if you want independent confirmation.

Polishing (mirror or brushed), electroplating in gold, nickel, chrome, gunmetal and antique effects, PVD coating, sandblasting, and laser engraving. Each finish combines differently with brass or stainless steel for very different looks and durability levels. Browse our surface finishes page for photos of each option, or request a physical sample kit to compare finishes side by side before deciding.

PVD coating is significantly more durable: it passes 48–96 hour salt spray tests and resists scratches far better, because the coating bonds to the metal at a molecular level inside a vacuum chamber. Electroplating costs roughly 20–40% less and offers more antique effects, but standard plating typically passes only 24-hour salt spray. Our recommendation: PVD for high-contact parts like buckles, locks and chains; electroplating for decorative pieces. Read our full comparison guide.

Gold, rose gold, gunmetal, black, rainbow and champagne are our standard PVD colors, with custom shades matched against your reference sample. PVD colors are extremely stable from batch to batch — a major advantage over electroplating for brands that reorder over years. Send us a physical swatch or Pantone reference and we will produce color samples for your approval before mass production begins.

Our PVD finishes routinely pass 48–96 hour neutral salt spray tests; our premium electroplating passes 24–48 hours. In real-world terms, PVD-coated hardware keeps its appearance for years of daily use, while standard plating may show wear within months on high-friction parts like buckles and chains. Every batch can be tested on request, and salt spray reports are available as part of our quality documentation.

Yes — logo customization is one of our most requested services. Options include engraving, embossing, debossing, etching and laser marking, depending on your logo detail and the product shape. Mold-based logos require tooling but look the most premium; laser marking needs no mold and suits small runs. Send us your logo file (AI, PDF or high-resolution PNG) and we will recommend the best technique. See examples on our logo tags page.

Absolutely. Many of our clients start with a sketch, a photo of a reference product, or even a verbal description. Our engineering team converts it into 3D CAD drawings for your approval — free of charge for confirmed projects — and can produce a 3D-printed prototype so you can verify the structure and fit before we cut any metal tooling. You approve every step before money is spent on molds.

Five steps: (1) you send sketches, references or samples; (2) we create 3D drawings for approval, usually within 3–5 working days; (3) we make molds and produce samples in 7–10 days; (4) you approve the sample or request revisions; (5) mass production begins after deposit. Your designs stay confidential throughout — we are happy to sign an NDA, and mold ownership terms are agreed in writing before work starts.

Our standard MOQ is 500 pieces per style for custom designs, and lower for stock items — some start at 100 pieces. MOQs exist because tooling, machine setup and plating lines have fixed costs that only make sense above a certain volume. If you are testing a new design, ask about our existing molds: we have hundreds of proven designs available with more flexible minimums.

Yes. We work with many startup brands and understand first orders are small. Practical options include choosing from our existing molds (MOQ from 100 pieces), using laser logo marking instead of custom tooling, and combining several styles into one plating batch to share setup costs. As your volumes grow, unit pricing drops accordingly — we would rather grow with a brand than turn away a small beginning.

Tooling typically ranges from US$100–500 per style depending on size and complexity; complex multi-part mechanisms cost more. For most projects, we refund or credit the mold fee once your cumulative order quantity reaches an agreed threshold, commonly 5,000–10,000 pieces. You own the mold after payment — we store it free of charge and it will never be used for any other client.

Yes, always. Stock samples ship within 1–3 working days; custom samples take 7–10 days after drawing approval. We believe no brand should commit to production without holding the hardware in hand first. You can request the same style in multiple finishes to compare colors and quality side by side — comparing physical samples is the fastest way to choose between PVD and electroplating.

Standard custom samples take 7–10 working days; complex mechanisms may need up to 15. Sample fees typically run US$30–100 per style plus shipping, covering CNC or mold work involved. The sample fee is refundable or credited against your first bulk order. If the first sample needs adjustments, reasonable revisions are free — our goal is a sample you approve, not an invoice.

Yes. Your approved sample becomes the signed golden sample that anchors our production QC: same material, same finish line, same tolerances. During production we send progress photos, and before shipment we inspect against the golden sample under AQL 2.5 standards. You are also welcome to arrange third-party inspection through SGS, BV or Intertek before the balance payment.

Typically 25–35 days after sample approval and deposit, depending on order size and process complexity. Stock items can ship within 7–15 days. Peak season (August to October, ahead of the holidays) adds roughly one to two weeks, so we recommend confirming orders early. We always state a committed delivery date on the proforma invoice — a commitment, not an estimate.

Yes. Split shipments are common for large orders: we can send a first batch by air for your product launch, with the balance following by sea to save freight cost. Each batch goes through the same QC process and documentation. Just share your delivery schedule when placing the order and we will plan production and packing around it.

Our factory handles tooling, die casting, stamping, CNC machining, polishing and plating in-house, with a monthly capacity of over one million hardware pieces across product lines. Because every process sits under one roof, we control the schedule directly instead of waiting on subcontractors — a key reason our on-time delivery rate stays high even in peak season. See our capabilities for details.

Every order goes through incoming material verification, in-process checks at each production stage, and a final pre-shipment inspection to AQL 2.5 standards. Tests include salt spray, pull strength, plating adhesion, and open-close cycle testing for moving parts like locks and automatic buckles. Inspection reports and photos are available with every shipment. Learn more on our quality assurance page.

Our standard turn locks and clasps are tested to a minimum of 10,000 open-close cycles; premium lines reach 30,000 or more. Automatic belt buckles are tested for 5,000+ insertion cycles. If your product carries a specific lifecycle requirement, tell us the target and we will engineer and test to it — cycle test reports can be provided together with your shipment.

Yes, we welcome both. We regularly host inspections by SGS, BV, TÜV and Intertek arranged by our clients, and video factory tours can be scheduled at any time — you will see the actual production lines, not a showroom. If you plan to visit in person, we are happy to arrange pickup from Guangzhou or Shenzhen and walk you through every workshop.

Yes. We offer fully nickel-free finishes that comply with EU REACH Annex XVII Entry 27, which limits nickel release to 0.5 μg/cm²/week for items in prolonged skin contact. Our PVD coating is inherently nickel-free, and for electroplated finishes we run dedicated nickel-free plating lines. Read our REACH compliance guide for what the regulation means for your products.

Yes. We arrange EN 1811 testing through accredited third-party labs such as SGS, Intertek and BV for the exact finish you order — note that a report for one color does not automatically cover another, so testing is done per finish. Reports typically take about one week. Many EU retailers require these reports before listing, and we recommend brands keep them on file for customs and retailer audits.

Yes. Our brass and stainless steel hardware with PVD or nickel-free plating meets Proposition 65 requirements for lead and cadmium content, and we can provide third-party test reports for the specific materials and finishes in your order. If your products will be sold in California, mention it at the quotation stage so compliance is built into the specification from the very start.

Each piece is individually packed in a PE bag or tissue wrap, then boxed with dividers or foam; mirror-polished and PVD parts receive an extra protective film. Custom packaging is available — velvet pouches, branded boxes, or your SKU labels and barcodes applied in our workshop before packing. We treat packaging as part of quality: hardware that arrives scratched is hardware you cannot sell.

Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS): 3–7 days, best for samples and urgent small orders. Air freight: 7–12 days for medium volumes. Sea freight: 25–40 days to major US and EU ports, the most economical for bulk. We can quote EXW, FOB, CIF or DDP delivered duty paid, and ship to your forwarder’s warehouse or Amazon FBA. Tell us your destination and timeline and we will recommend the best option.

We accept T/T bank transfer, PayPal for smaller amounts, and L/C for larger orders. Standard terms are 30–50% deposit with the balance before shipment, after you approve inspection results. For established long-term partners we offer more flexible arrangements. First orders run on prepaid terms — it protects both sides while trust is being built, and terms can improve as cooperation continues.

Six steps: (1) send your inquiry with drawings, samples or reference photos; (2) receive our quotation within 24 hours, with free engineering suggestions; (3) approve samples; (4) confirm the order and pay the deposit; (5) production with progress updates and pre-shipment QC; (6) balance payment and delivery with tracking. A bilingual sales engineer follows your project throughout — one contact, no language barrier. Start your inquiry →