Questions
Frequently asked questions
Answers about ViCES Studio: custom packaging, branded merchandise, uniforms, lead times, minimums, production and how to start a project. White Glove B2B Creative & Production Studio by ViCES & Co.
Studio
Working with ViCES Studio
- What is custom hospitality packaging, and who is it for?
- Custom hospitality packaging is packaging designed for a restaurant, hotel, bar or venue and the way it serves guests. ViCES Studio's main packaging focus includes takeaway and dessert boxes, branded bags, printed food-service papers, PR boxes and guest gifting. Design is created in-house; manufacturing is facilitated through our worldwide supply chain, with materials and service requirements agreed before sampling.
- What do you mean by branded experiences?
- Events and campaigns where people meet, try or see your brand in action. For example, a product launch with PR kits and event coverage, a fashion show with models and runway content, a campaign shoot, or a product sampling event through Pretty Pace Walk Club Toronto. Businesses hire ViCES Studio to plan and produce the agreed work as a paid service alongside packaging and merchandise.
- What does ViCES Studio do?
- ViCES Studio is a White Glove B2B Creative & Production Studio by ViCES & Co. Its complete branding system connects creative direction, custom hospitality packaging, merchandise and apparel, global production and delivery. Businesses can extend that work with paid campaign shoots, model and influencer talent, fashion shows, product launches and sampling events to put their brand in front of people. Packaging and apparel are core disciplines; media and events are secondary services. Design is created in-house; manufacturing is managed through an established worldwide supply chain. Toronto and Miami are its bases; clients are served worldwide.
- How is a packaging or merchandise project priced?
- Cost is driven by construction, materials, decoration, quantity and freight. ViCES Studio quotes against the budget range submitted with the brief — from under $2,500 to $50,000+ — so the design direction is costed against the real budget. Submit a brief at https://vices.studio/start-a-project for preliminary costing.
- What are your minimum order quantities?
- Minimums depend on the product and the factory. Small, high-touch runs such as PR kits and gifting boxes are routine, and luxury gifting programs can run with no minimum. Large packaging and apparel programs scale to full retail volume.
- Can I get a sample before committing to a full order?
- Yes. A physical sample is produced and approved against the written specification before anything runs at volume. You hold the paper weight, foil and colour in hand before production starts, and the approved sample is the reference for quality inspection.
- How long does packaging or apparel production take?
- Most programs run four to eight weeks from approved design to delivery, depending on construction, decoration method and freight route. Rush timelines are possible depending on the product and route — the earlier the brief arrives, the more room there is to move.
- Do you work with brands outside Toronto?
- Yes. ViCES Studio is based in Toronto with a Miami presence and services clients worldwide, with manufacturing facilitated through an established global supply chain and freight, customs and delivery managed end to end.
- Can you develop packaging and apparel if we have no artwork?
- Yes. The studio can start from a brief or a logo. Packaging concepts, dielines, apparel tech packs, construction drawings and colour specifications are developed in-house before sourcing and sampling.
- How is this different from a promotional products supplier or a box manufacturer?
- A box manufacturer prints what you bring them; a promo supplier decorates catalogue items. ViCES Studio designs fully custom product from scratch — structure, materials and decoration — samples it, and manages production, quality control and logistics as one white-glove service. Design is in-house; manufacturing is facilitated through a vetted worldwide supply chain.
- Can businesses book your media, talent and event services?
- Yes. Businesses and brands commission ViCES Studio for paid live-action and AI-assisted content, model and influencer bookings, fashion shows, product launches and event organisation. Media and events are a secondary service alongside packaging and merchandise. ViCES Confidential documents the shows and campaigns the studio produces; visit https://vices.studio/media or submit a brief at https://vices.studio/start-a-project.
- Can a brand partner with ViCES Swim Week or Pretty Pace Walk Club Toronto?
- Yes. ViCES Swim Week connects brands with runway events and promotional talent. Pretty Pace Walk Club Toronto offers brand sponsorship, product sampling and venue activations. These are paid partnerships scoped to the brand's goals, audience and campaign.
About
About the studio
- What is ViCES Studio?
- ViCES Studio is a White Glove B2B creative and production studio by ViCES & Co., focused on packaging, custom apparel and branded experiences. It is the rebrand of DM Merchandising, merged with the clothing label ViCES & Co.
- Is DM Merchandising still a separate company?
- No. DM Merchandising now operates as ViCES Studio. The same team, supply chain and client relationships continue under the new name.
- How does the process work?
- Six steps: Discover, Design, Source, Sample, Produce, Deliver. You approve a physical sample before anything runs at volume.
- Where is production handled?
- Through an established worldwide supply chain that we direct and manage, with quality control, freight and delivery handled on your behalf.
Capabilities
What we make
- What does ViCES Studio actually produce?
- Packaging, merchandise, apparel, uniforms, PR and gifting kits, retail and event collateral, plus brand and venue launch campaigns. If it carries your logo, we can design it and produce it.
- Do you manufacture in-house?
- No. Design is done in-house and fully custom to the client. Manufacturing is facilitated through our established worldwide supply chain, managed end to end as a white-glove service.
- How long does a typical program take?
- Most programs run four to eight weeks from approved design to delivery, depending on construction, decoration method and freight route.
- Is there a minimum order quantity?
- Minimums depend on the product and the factory. Small, high-touch runs such as PR kits and gifting boxes are routine; large apparel and packaging programs scale to full retail volume.
- Can you handle design if we have no artwork?
- Yes. We can start from a brief, a logo or nothing at all. Concepting, tech packs, construction drawings and colour specification are done in-house before anything is sourced.
- Do you offer talent and media as well as product?
- Yes. Brand development through media, AI video and animation come through the ViCES & Co. media team, and promotional models and influencers come through the ViCES Swim Week talent funnel.
Industries
Sectors we serve
- Which industries does ViCES Studio work with?
- Hospitality, hotels, restaurants and bars, retail and fashion, events and festivals, luxury goods, wellness and entertainment.
- Do you meet sector-specific compliance standards?
- Yes. Food-safe packaging, airline specification, hi-vis and workwear standards and retail shelf requirements are built into the specification before sampling.
- Can you produce staff uniforms for a hotel or restaurant?
- Yes. Uniform programs including cardigans, shirts, aprons and workwear are a core part of our hospitality and hotel work, sized and reordered on an ongoing basis.
- Do you run launch campaigns for new venues?
- Yes. Brand and venue launch campaigns cover PR kits, invitations, uniforms, packaging, signage and event execution, delivered as one program.
Getting started
Starting a project
- What happens after I submit a brief?
- We review the brief, come back with questions and direction, then move to design and sourcing. You get costs and lead times before anything is committed.
- What information should I include?
- Project type, budget range, timeline and any artwork or reference you already have. The more specific the reference, the faster the first round.
- How quickly can you deliver?
- Most programs land in four to eight weeks from approved design. Rush timelines are possible depending on product and freight.
- How do I reach the studio directly?
- Email info@vicesandco.com or message @vicesandco on Instagram.