"I think the issues that stop toplace from being perfect would probably be sorted if I ordered custom units with pleats "

Hi again Tim.
I'm surprised you are mentioning pleats in context with a custom made unit.
Pleats seem a very old fashioned method of creating curvature. If you've supplied a 3 dimensional template of your scalp, then the lace should be woven/moulded to encompass that shape, in one single piece.
Its a poor manufacturer that would use pleats, as any joins/stitching is an opportunity for weakness & shedding.
The idea of modern quality manufacturing is to create a smooth membrane that is as near a replica of the scalp as possible.
No one has pleats on their scalp, with the possible exception of the surgically enhanced Joan Rivers!