Why We’re Pausing Some Products (And How This Makes Your Favorites Easier to Get)
Here at Origami Customs, we’re a small production team of only 8 people! We make every single item in our Montreal studio. That’s something we’re really proud of, and it shapes everything we do.
Being small means we can be flexible, thoughtful, and intentional with every piece we make. It also means we have to be very strategic about what we produce, so we can keep things running smoothly and get you the pieces you love, faster.
So from time to time, we make the decision to pause or remove certain items, not as a step back, but as a way to make our overall collection stronger and more accessible.
Here’s what that looks like behind the scenes, and what it means for you.
How Production Actually Works at Origami Customs
Production in our studio is pretty straightforward at its core. Everyone is trained on every machine and process, so the whole team understands how each piece gets made from start to finish. But over time, people naturally get faster and more precise with certain materials or techniques, and that’s where specialization comes in.
Some team members have prior experience or just a knack for certain materials, so they specialize. For our more complex designs, that often means one person becomes the go-to expert for that piece, refining it until it meets our standards every single time.
There’s also the reality of the machines themselves. Different fabrics need different setups, tensions, and sometimes entirely different equipment. Bamboo behaves very differently from mesh, and switching between them isn’t as simple as flipping a switch.
What This Means for What We Make
All of this means that what we produce at any given time needs to be intentional. Each item takes specific skills, setups, and time to do well.
So rather than trying to keep every product available at all times, we’re focusing on what’s working best, the pieces you love most, and the items we can produce more efficiently and consistently.
That means pausing some lower-demand items so we can put more energy into the pieces you’re actually waiting for, and start building better inventory for them.
What’s Changed Recently with Our Team
Recently, we’ve also had a few shifts within our team that affect how we can schedule production right now. A couple of our staff members are taking some time off this year, which means we’re temporarily losing some very specialized knowledge, especially with our bamboo pieces.
Moments like these are something we fully support, and they’re part of what makes our workplace sustainable long-term. At the same time, they do mean we need to shift how we allocate production and training in the short term.
The reality is that when specialized roles shift, production shifts with them. Training new team members on more complex items takes time, and we want to make sure everything meets our standards before it goes back out into the world.
Why We Keep Production In-House
Keeping production in-house means we know exactly how each piece is made, who made it, and under what conditions. We get to employ and offer stable jobs for an entirely trans and queer staff, and maintain the quality and care that goes into every garment.
It also means we have to make decisions differently. So instead of trying to do everything at once, we focus on doing the right things well.
What We’re Doing Instead
We’re going to try things a little differently this time. Normally, we just pull down products, but we don’t want to leave gaps in products that are important to offer to our community.
So, instead of pulling certain products, we’re adding a waitlist.
On any paused product page, you’ll now see the option to sign up and tell us exactly what you’re looking for, including your preferred color. It takes a few seconds, but it gives us incredibly valuable insight into what people actually need. That way, we can make decisions based on real demand from our community.
The more people who sign up for a specific piece, the faster we can prioritize it, focus on training someone on it, plan a production run, and bring it back properly. That way, nothing will be compromised, but made the way it’s supposed to be.
So if there’s something you want that’s on pause, signing up for the waitlist is the best way to make sure it comes back as soon as possible. You’ll also get notified first when it’s available for purchase.
These products will be put on the wait list until further notice:
Thanks For Being Here
The goal here is simple: make more of what you love, and make it easier to get.
We’re focusing on building a more stable, efficient production system so we can show up better for you long-term, with stronger inventory, faster turnaround, and the same quality you expect from us.
So if there’s something that’s important to you, this is your chance to weigh in. Join the waitlist and let us know what you want back, and in what color. We’re actively using that information to decide what gets made next.
As always, thank you so much for supporting our small team. It allows us to keep growing, improving, and building something even better for you.
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