Stock vs Custom Hair Systems at a Glance
| Stock | Custom | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Standard, e.g. 8x10 inches, cut to fit | Exact template or measurements |
| Base | Standard base types | Any base or combination |
| Color | Standard colors and grey percentages | Matched to the client's hair sample |
| Density | Standard densities | Any, including graduated |
| Hair direction and front contour | Standard | To the client |
| Lead time | 1–3 days | 25–40 days |
| Wholesale price (market reference, 2026) | About US$40 to 120 per piece | About US$90 to 220 per piece |
| Minimum | 5 pieces | From 1 piece |
The prices above are typical factory wholesale ranges in the market as of 2026, before shipping and duty; they are a reference, not our price list. Base and hair decide where a system sits in the range: thin skin and French lace stock systems sit toward the bottom, silk top, mono and lace front mono toward the top. Custom adds the template work, color matching from one client's sample and its own production slot. Studios charge clients several times the system cost, because the fitting and the maintenance are the service.
When Stock Works Well
- The client's hair loss fits inside a standard base after cutting
- Their color matches a standard shade or grey percentage closely
- Normal density with no special style needs
- A new client trying a system for the first time
- Fast replacements for regular clients
Cutting a stock system to fit is where most of the fit is won or lost. Lay the client's template (or a traced outline of the bald area) on the base and draw around it with a fine marker, leaving about 0.5 to 1 cm extra at the front so the hairline can be trimmed on the head. Cut the lace or skin in small snips rather than one long cut. On a system with a PU perimeter, keep at least a few millimetres of the PU band all the way round: cutting through it leaves bare lace at the edge, which frays and no longer takes tape. If the template only fits after cutting into the PU, the client needs a smaller stock size or custom.
Stock systems are made in a few standard front contours, named by letter (A, C and CC are the common ones, from a flatter to a more rounded front). Pick the contour closest to the client's hairline before you cut; reshaping the front by cutting only works within a few millimetres.
When to Order Custom
- Unusual head shape or a hair loss area larger or smaller than standard sizes
- Color that no stock shade matches, including specific grey blends
- Very low or very high density, or graduated density
- Specific front contour or hair direction for a particular style
- A base combination not available in stock
- Regular clients who want every replacement identical
In practice, many studios start each new client on a stock system, cut to fit, then move regular clients to custom once they know what the client likes: stock gives speed for the first fitting, custom keeps long-term clients identical from one replacement to the next.
How to Order a Custom Hair System
- 1Make a template of the client's hair loss area with plastic wrap and tape, and mark the front hairline, part and hair direction. Or send detailed measurements. The full method is in How to Make a Hair System Template.
- 2Cut a hair sample of at least 2 inches (5 cm) from the client's own hair for color matching.
- 3Choose the specs base type, density, hair type, curl, front contour, hair direction.
- 4Fill in the custom order form Ask us and we'll send it with your quote.
- 5Send the template and sample to the factory by tracked courier.
- 6Approve and save We save every custom spec, so reorders match exactly.
See Custom Hair Systems and our custom service.
FAQ
Why does a custom hair system cost more than stock?
Each custom system is ventilated to one template and matched to one hair sample, so nothing is made in a batch, and the spec is saved for reorders. At wholesale, expect roughly double a comparable stock system. For exact prices, send your sizes and bases for a quote.
How long does a custom hair system take?
Our custom lead time is 25–40 days, plus shipping.
Do I need a template for a custom hair system?
A template gives the most accurate fit. Detailed measurements also work for many clients.
Can I change the density of a stock hair system?
Only downward. A stylist can thin a stock system that looks too heavy by thinning the hair or removing knots, but hair can't be added to a finished base. If the client needs more density than the stock options offer, order the next stock density up or go custom.
Order Stock or Custom
Send your list of stock sizes, bases and colors for a quote, or send your first custom template and hair sample.
Related reading
![Photo of [Production Author Name]](/images/author-production.jpg)
Runs production and quality control at ZUVI WIGS, from raw hair sorting to final inspection. [Production Author Years] in hair manufacturing.