PROTEK vs OTHERs
Before anything, I want to say this upfront:
This page isn’t about claiming Protek is “better.”
It’s simply here to help you understand why I built Protek the way I did — and how those choices support your line, your margins, and your peace of mind.
Every factory has strengths. Every factory has challenges.
Most teams are doing the best they can with the systems they learned.
I just chose to build a different system.
Not because I’m special.
Not because anyone else is wrong.
But because after years inside production, I saw the same issues repeat across brands — issues that weren’t about effort, but about structure.
A different outcome requires a different structure.
And not every factory has the time, team, or flexibility to rebuild theirs.
So this page isn’t about judgment.
It’s simply a clear look at how Protek operates — and why so many brands say they finally feel safe, supported, and understood when they work with us.
Others
• Replies that take days
• Updates only when something goes wrong
• Important info shared at the last minute
• You feel like you’re chasing people for answers
• You’re never fully sure what’s happening behind the scenes
Not because they don’t care — but because most factories are built for volume and speed, not communication and support. Their systems are designed to move product, not guide founders.
Protek
I chose a different path.
I stay close to communication — quick replies, steady updates, clear expectations, and no surprises. No guessing. No “wait until the last minute.”
I also don’t take too many clients at once.
Your line never gets buried, ignored, or lost in someone’s inbox.
Clear, proactive communication is the foundation of stress-free production — and Protek was built around that from day one.
1. Communication & Care
Other s
Most teams work step-by-step without planning the entire line.
So issues show up as they happen:
• cost changes
• timeline extensions
• fabric delays
• missing trims
• pattern updates arriving too late
• wash tests happening after production already starts
It’s not intentional — it’s simply how older systems were built, and most factories are still operating within those limits.
Protek
I plan the whole line before we start — every detail, every stage:
• sourcing
• shrink and wash tests
• dye and DIP timelines
• cutting method
• pattern adjustments
• sewing workflow
• QC checkpoints
When the full picture is mapped out upfront, there’s less stress, fewer surprises, and a much lower chance of errors.
2. Planning & Timeline
let’s plan together
hey@protekandfriends.com
909-331-5291
Others
Samples are made, but no real notes are recorded
Fit changes after dye/wash, but no one tracks why
Sewing tension, cutting direction, shrink — not documented
QC team receives garments with no history
Issues are discovered during production, when it’s too late
The learning from samples is lost every round
Most teams aren’t doing this on purpose — they just don’t have a system for tracking the details.
Protek
We treat samples like the roadmap for your entire production run.
We document:
how dye affects the fit
how sewing method + tension change the shape
how cutting direction affects drape
how shrink + wash behave
every fit adjustment and why it happened
All of these notes become clear instructions for our QC team so they can prevent issues before they happen.
Because honestly:
What’s the point of paying for samples if no one captures the information your production team needs?
At Protek, every sample teaches us something — and nothing gets lost.
3. Documentation & Development
4. USA + China Production — With Real Understanding Behind It
Most factories choose one side.
USA-only teams often think China is unreliable.
China-only teams often think USA pricing is “crazy.”
Everyone has strong opinions, but very few people have actually worked long enough in both systems to understand how they fit together.
Here’s the truth:
Neither country is “good” or “bad.”
They’re just different.
Different strengths.
Different timelines.
Different cost structures.
Different risks.
Different opportunities.
You only see the real picture when you’ve been inside both worlds — not repeating assumptions or industry rumors.
That’s why I built Protek the way I did.
I don’t choose USA or China.
I choose what supports your design, your timeline, and your margin — at the right moment.
Some styles belong in China.
Some should stay in LA.
Some benefit from a split program.
When you understand the actual pros and cons of each location, production becomes strategy — not struggle.
Most factories never walk you through this… but it’s the reason my clients trust me to plan their entire line, not just one part of it.
Other s
Many teams ask for:
• full deposits before anything begins
• retainers
• long-term commitments
• upfront fees for sourcing or samples
• “pay first, clarity later”
It’s common in the industry, but it often leaves founders feeling pressured before they even understand the full picture.
Protek
No retainers.
No full upfront charges.
No locked-in commitments.
We go step-by-step.
You see the work.
You feel the process.
You decide if we continue.
You always stay in control.
I built Protek this way because transparency creates trust — and trust creates better production outcomes.
5. Payment Style
hi,
I’m not trying to run the fastest or the biggest factory.
I’m building the most caring one.
If you’re looking for:
• clear communication
• thoughtful planning
• a calm partner
• fewer surprises
• and production that feels safe
Then you’ll feel at home here.