Demystifying Custom

"Custom" can feel like a black box. You hand over your vision and hope for the best. At OrangePiel, we've spent nearly two decades refining a process that's transparent, collaborative, and designed to eliminate surprises. Here's exactly how it works.

Step 1: Consultation

Every project starts with a conversation. Whether you're a homeowner with a single window or a commercial client with an entire building, we begin by understanding your space, your goals, and your aesthetic. For local projects, we offer on-site consultations. For clients anywhere in the world, we work from photographs, measurements, and video calls.

During this phase, we discuss fabric options, motorization preferences, mounting configurations, and budget. We also review your imagery—whether it's a photograph you've taken, artwork you've commissioned, or a design concept you'd like us to develop.

Step 2: Design

Our design team creates digital mockups showing exactly how your printed shade will look in your space. We use accurate color profiles calibrated to our printing equipment, so what you see on screen is what you'll get in fabric. We iterate on these mockups until you're completely satisfied—there's no extra charge for revisions at this stage.

For clients who need help selecting or creating imagery, our in-house designers can develop custom artwork, source photography, or adapt existing designs for optimal print quality at your specific dimensions.

Step 3: Production

Once the design is approved, production begins in our Sausalito facility. We print on commercial-grade fabrics using UV-resistant inks rated for 10+ years of color stability. Every shade is printed at 1200 DPI—significantly higher than industry standard—ensuring crisp detail even at large formats.

After printing, each shade is hand-assembled with the hardware configuration specified for your installation: chain-driven, motorized, or spring-loaded mechanisms, with inside-mount or outside-mount brackets.

Step 4: Quality Control

Before any shade leaves our facility, it goes through a multi-point inspection. We check color accuracy against the approved proof, verify dimensions within 1/16" tolerance, test the roller mechanism for smooth operation, and inspect the fabric for any printing artifacts. If anything doesn't meet our standards, we reprint.

Step 5: Installation

For local Bay Area projects, our team handles professional installation. For clients elsewhere, we ship your shades with detailed installation guides, hardware, and direct access to our support team via phone or video call. We've successfully guided installations everywhere from Manhattan apartments to resort properties in Southeast Asia.

After Installation

Our relationship doesn't end when the shade goes up. We provide care instructions for every installation and stand behind our products with a comprehensive warranty. If you need additional shades, replacement parts, or want to update your imagery down the road, we're here.

This process has been refined over 500+ projects across 15+ countries. It works because it's built on clear communication and obsessive attention to detail at every stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process for ordering custom printed window shades from OrangePiel?

Our process follows five steps: (1) Design consultation—we discuss your vision, measure windows, and recommend fabric options. (2) Artwork development—we prepare or refine your design for printing. (3) Digital and physical proofing—you review and approve colors and design on actual fabric. (4) Production—your shades are manufactured in 4-6 weeks. (5) Installation—our team installs in the Bay Area, or we ship with detailed DIY instructions.

How long does the entire custom shade process take from start to finish?

Most residential projects complete in 8-10 weeks from initial consultation to installation. Commercial projects typically require 10-14 weeks depending on scope and complexity. Rush production (3-4 week turnaround) is available for time-sensitive projects at additional cost.

Do I need to provide my own artwork, or can OrangePiel create designs?

Either approach works. Many clients provide their own photographs, artwork, or brand assets. Others describe a concept—"something botanical in blues and greens"—and our design team creates original artwork. We also have a library of patterns and designs available for customization. Design consultation is included with every order.

What if I'm not satisfied with how my shade turns out?

That's what our proofing process prevents. You approve a physical fabric proof—an actual printed sample on your chosen fabric—before production begins. This ensures the final product matches your expectations for color, design, and fabric feel. We don't proceed to production until you're completely satisfied with the proof.

Related Resources

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Our Process: How a Custom Printed Shade Goes from Idea to Installation