Order Progress Report for Custom Leather and Shoe Commissions

What a good one includes

• Define the exact craft stage the commission is currently in, such as clicking, lasting, or hand-burnishing, using clear terminology.
• Include close-up, high-quality photographs of the raw edges, stitching lines, or the leather draped over the lasts to show active progress.
• Share a brief note on how the specific leather—like vegetable-tanned shoulder or French calfskin—is behaving during the build.
• Provide a clear, realistic estimate of the remaining steps and the projected shipping or pickup window.
• Mention any specific storage accessories or care products they should acquire now to protect the leather upon arrival.
• Highlight any remaining client decisions, such as monogram placement, hardware finishes, or edge dye colors, that need approval before proceeding.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending text-only updates without photos, which fails to capture the tactile and visual appeal of bespoke leathercraft.
• Overusing dense cordwaining or tanning jargon that leaves the client feeling confused rather than included in the process.
• Glossing over unexpected structural delays, which breaks trust when the final delivery date inevitably slips.
• Forgetting to explicitly ask for feedback or approvals on critical customization details before moving to the next irreversible assembly stage.

Frequently asked questions