Most line sheets use technical sketches, often created using either CAD software or Illustration software. Some line sheets use hand-drawn sketches, while a select few use actual photographs. How simple or complex your line
sheet is depends on the nature of your line. Here are some basic tips for creating a functional
line sheet.

A good visual organizing cue would be to put a colored (or solid block) block in the upper right hand corner of the line sheet. Why? Most companies put their line sheet info on the front page, centered. This means a buyer will either pull the line sheet out or push folders forward to peek down. It would be easier if you could see the collection information from the top of the sheet so it would be easier to find. Wherever you choose to put it is your decision but be consistent with the placement.

There is also a preference for horizontal line sheets only because that's how paper gets filed, on its side. But
that's just a minor nuance because most people are used to reading vertical sheets of paper. Whichever
format you choose should ultimately depend on which format makes the most user-friendly layout.

a line sheet is intended to be in black and white, to keep copy costs down. You can use a swatch card whether you use solids or prints. If you have a sales rep, your rep should always have high quality master copies to reproduce in case they run out of line sheets.

Speaking of swatch cards, There are reps that have to cut tiny swatches from their clothing samples (that they
pay for) to make swatch sheets for their customers. They shouldn't have to do this! And these reps usually do
this for lines that are all about the colors (or prints), they may have 12 styles with a palette of 16 colors per
season. Thus colors/prints are everything.

Please take the time to provide swatch cards -a crucial selling tool- to the rep. Yes, the buyers can see the line at market, but often specific color samples end up somewhere else or better yet, a buyer needs to write the order after they see the line because they saw something else, somewhere else, that merchandises well with an item in your line and now they are having to figure out if the right green was "grass" or "avocado".

This type of thinking means you'll only sell to buyers who
visit your showroom or show booth. Not using swatch cards means that the only way a buyer can write an
order for your line is if they see it, even if the buyer is a repeat customer! In other words, if you made this
A-line skirt for Spring and you bring it back for Summer in 4 new colors, a buyer should be able to write
that order without being forced to see a rep to see those new colors in person. You should have something
-either a color sheet or swatch cards- to provide. What often happens is that you'll lose orders because the
buyer is not going to that specific market and won't be able to see the line.

line sheets part 1