How much deposit should an atelier charge?

Most couture, bridal and bespoke makers take 30–50% upfront to confirm an order and cover materials. Higher-value or highly custom commissions often sit at the top of that range, since the fabric and labour committed are harder to recover if the client walks away.

When should the balance be paid?

A common structure is deposit to confirm, then the remaining balance before delivery — or split across milestones like the first fitting and the final fitting. The key rule: collect the final balance before the garment leaves your atelier, never after.

Why take a deposit at all?

A deposit commits the client, funds the materials you buy on their behalf, and protects you if they cancel. For made-to-measure work that cannot be resold, it is the single most important habit for healthy cash flow.

Does this tool store anything or need an account?

No. It runs entirely in your browser and saves nothing. For tracking deposits and balances across all your real orders automatically, that is what Bomble does.

How do ateliers keep track of who has paid what?

Manually it lives in a spreadsheet or someone’s memory, which is how balances get forgotten. Bomble records the payment kind and amount per order, recalculates the outstanding balance automatically, and can send a payment reminder with the exact amount owed.

Free tool

Deposit & payment schedule calculator

Set an order total and a deposit percentage, and get a clear deposit, balance and milestone schedule to share with your client. No signup, nothing stored.

Order total

€

Deposit 40%Most ateliers take 30–50% upfront to confirm the order.

Split the balance into

Deposit to collect now

€800.00

Balance of €1,200.00 across 2 payments.

Payment schedule

1Deposit — confirms the order€800.00
2At first fitting€600.00
3Final balance — before delivery€600.00

Bomble tracks the deposit and balance on every order, recalculates what's still owed, and sends payment reminders — so no balance slips past delivery.

Never chase a balance again — free trial →

The short answer

Take a 30–50% deposit to confirm a custom order and fund materials, then collect the balance before delivery — either in one payment or split across the first and final fittings. Always get the final balance before the garment leaves your atelier.

Frequently asked questions

How much deposit should an atelier charge?: Most couture, bridal and bespoke makers take 30–50% upfront to confirm an order and cover materials. Higher-value or highly custom commissions often sit at the top of that range, since the fabric and labour committed are harder to recover if the client walks away.
When should the balance be paid?: A common structure is deposit to confirm, then the remaining balance before delivery — or split across milestones like the first fitting and the final fitting. The key rule: collect the final balance before the garment leaves your atelier, never after.
Why take a deposit at all?: A deposit commits the client, funds the materials you buy on their behalf, and protects you if they cancel. For made-to-measure work that cannot be resold, it is the single most important habit for healthy cash flow.
Does this tool store anything or need an account?: No. It runs entirely in your browser and saves nothing. For tracking deposits and balances across all your real orders automatically, that is what Bomble does.
How do ateliers keep track of who has paid what?: Manually it lives in a spreadsheet or someone’s memory, which is how balances get forgotten. Bomble records the payment kind and amount per order, recalculates the outstanding balance automatically, and can send a payment reminder with the exact amount owed.

Collect every deposit. Chase no balances.

Bomble tracks deposits and balances on every order and sends reminders with the exact amount owed. Free 3-day trial, no card required.

Start free trial Book a demo