We collaborate with companies, groups, and foundations to transform surplus and recovered textiles into intentional, high quality products. From small batch runs to scalable solutions, each project is developed through partnership, ensuring materials are thoughtfully repurposed and aligned with your goals.
Public Thread designs and manufactures custom products for our partners using recovered, surplus, and client supplied materials. We work with organizations seeking thoughtful product solutions that align design, material strategy, and reliable production.
While each engagement results in a finished product, our work is rooted in collaboration, balancing material realities, design intent, and manufacturing execution to deliver products that are both functional and responsible.
What We Mean by Custom Products
Custom products are bespoke, made-to-order products that are developed in collaboration with our partners to deliver unique, handmade options using existing materials sourced from their ecosystem.
Custom product design and development
Integration of client supplied materials, Public Thread sourced materials, or both
Prototyping and refinement prior to production
Manufacturing from small batch to large production runs
Some projects are one-time custom products. Others evolve into long term partnerships as products, materials, or needs change over time.
How This Differs From Our Textile Product Line
Custom Products are designed for partners who need bespoke solutions and a high degree of flexibility.
For organizations seeking a faster, more streamlined pathway, using pre-designed products with flexible material inputs, we offer our Textile Product Line.
Both options are intentional. The right choice depends on your goals, materials, and desired level of customization.
Impact Is Embedded in the Product
Each custom product supports more than its immediate use.
Our work contributes to:
- Workforce development and skilled job creation
- Expanded capacity to work with complex material streams
- Long-term systems that support circular manufacturing
Impact is built into how products are designed and made, not added afterward.
Design Led & Material Driven
Design is central to every custom product we create.
Public Thread frequently leads the design process, translating partner goals into products that are durable, manufacturable, and aligned with material constraints. In other cases, we collaborate closely with in-house design teams to adapt existing concepts into production ready outcomes.
Material considerations are never an afterthought.
Most Custom Corporate Products combine:
- Client-supplied recovered or surplus materials
- Public Thread–sourced materials that complement availability, performance, or durability
This flexible approach allows us to respond to material variability while maintaining consistency and quality in the final product.
How Custom Products Are Developed
All custom products are designed to scale responsibly.
We support partners across:
- Early stage pilots and limited runs
- Medium volume production
- Large scale or recurring manufacturing.
Our team manages the complexities of working with recovered materials, including sourcing, quality control, yield planning, and production efficiency, so that partners can move forward with confidence.
We begin by understanding your product goals, materials, timeline, and constraints.
Products are designed or refined with manufacturability, durability, and material integration in mind.
Concepts are tested and adjusted before moving into production.
Manufacturing takes place in our Grand Rapids studio, with clear communication and quality oversight throughout.
Some custom products lead to additional iterations, expanded product lines, or continued collaboration.
Let’s Explore What You’re Building
If you’re interested in developing custom products using recovered materials and a collaborative approach, we’d love to start a conversation.
