Some people have joked on Instagram, saying that we must be crazy for money, and that’s why we’re starting a pre-sale. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to explain the reasons behind our decision.
Since the launch of the REAPER gloves, we’ve received countless messages on social media from people asking for an XXL size, saying that the XL was too tight for them. Others asked, "Can you produce some green skeleton gloves? If you do, I’ll definitely buy them!"
The variety of messages we received has been both touching and overwhelming. As a new brand, we have so many customer demands to meet. At the same time, we’ve encountered challenges in both the sales and production of the REAPER gloves, which has led us to opt for a pre-sale.
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Demand Exceeded Expectations, Leading to Fast Sell-Outs
As a new product, we initially produced 1,500-2,000 pairs of REAPER gloves in each color. For a new brand, this seemed sufficient for 2-3 months of sales. However, demand far exceeded our expectations. In some cases, when customers saw that only four pairs were left in their size, they would purchase all four pairs at once. The more we ran out of stock, the more enthusiastic customers became about buying. Many customers reached out to us saying, "Can you start a pre-sale? This way, I don't have to wait for a restock notification; I can just wait for the delivery." -
The Complexity of Printing and Extended Timeframes
Customers who have bought our REAPER gloves know that the printing on the back of the gloves is extremely intricate. Not only do we use four gradient colors (except for the single-color versions), but the design also appears to have a four-layer 3D structure. To achieve this look and feel, each pair requires forty printing passes, taking a total of ten hours to complete. Many brands only need one pass, but we require forty. This complexity can also result in errors in color registration, which adds to the challenge. However, this attention to detail is why so many people love our products. Instead of paying $20 for less appealing products, customers seem to prefer gloves with more detail and texture. They’re willing to wait for new colorways, knowing that this level of craftsmanship takes time. -
Production and Craftsmanship Bottlenecks
In addition to the intricate printing, the overall craftsmanship of this product is also quite complex. The 3D tailoring and stitching require skilled technicians. This isn’t just a straight line of stitching along the fingers; it’s 3D, curved stitching. Not only does this take more time, but the complexity of the process also leads to a higher rate of defective products. We’ve had to create a specialized team of the most skilled workers to produce the REAPER gloves, as new workers simply can’t achieve the necessary precision. This is one of the main reasons we continue to manufacture in China, despite the high tariffs. However, starting next year, we will gradually move production of the REAPER gloves to Indonesia.
These explanations are not intended to seek sympathy from our customers but to clarify why we’ve opted for a pre-sale. If we had enough stock, we’d prefer to invest in more advertising. However, this is a short-term challenge. By 2025, we expect to have resolved most of these issues and will offer even more products that you love.
