What is a clothing sample?
A sample is the first physical piece of your product, made by the factory based on your tech pack. It shows you the fit, fabric, colour, print and construction. Only after your approval does bulk production start.
A sample isn't mandatory with us: you can also place a bulk order straight away. Still, we always recommend it and make one first as standard, especially for more complex productions.
What does a sample cost?
With us, a sample costs from €150, depending on the style. A t-shirt takes less work than a lined jacket, and you see that difference in the price. The exact amount is in your quote, before you pay anything.
You pay per style, because each style has its own pattern, its own fabric and its own sizing. So sampling three styles costs three times from €150.
How do you request a clothing sample?
You send your tech pack with your request, with us via the request form. No tech pack yet? Then we draw it up based on your sketch, size list or reference garment, and you confirm it before anything is cut.
A complete tech pack specifies this:
- Technical drawing of the front and back
- Measurements per size
- Fabric choice with GSM, the fabric weight in grams per square metre
- Colour codes in Pantone
- Placement and technique of prints and logos
- Labels: material, size and placement
- Packaging instructions
How long does a sample take?
Your request is followed by a quote with the sample costs, the lead time and an indicative production price. After your approval, you pay the sample costs and the factory starts. Count on at least 5 to 6 weeks per round, counted from payment; photo updates while it's being made are common these days.
If the factory is in Asia, a round can take longer because of transport; you hear in advance which date applies to your style. If you sample several styles, the rounds run in parallel, so you don't wait three times in a row.
So plan two blocks of at least 5 to 6 weeks after payment each: one per sample round and then one for production, depending on the style, the production country and the run size.
How do you assess a sample?
Point by point, and preferably on two to three sizes. Then you see whether your grading is right instead of just that one size; you do pay per sample.
- Fit: try it on fit models in the sizes you're having sampled.
- Fabric: does it feel as expected and does it shrink after washing?
- Colour: is the colour right in daylight?
- Prints and logos: in the right place, at the right size?
- Construction: are the stitching, zips and cords solid?
- Labels: correctly placed and legible?
How do you give feedback on a sample?
In writing, point by point, with photos and a concrete instruction. For example: 'sleeve is 2 cm too long, shorten to 63 cm in size M'. Vague feedback such as 'it fits strangely' leads to the wrong corrections.
With clear feedback, most products need one to two sample rounds. If it takes more, the tech pack usually lacked detail or the feedback was too vague.
What happens after the sample is approved?
You give written approval for bulk production. The approved piece, the gold sample, is the reference for your production; with us it goes to you and we don't keep it.
With us, production starts from 10 pieces per style. With a run of ten like that, you choose two sizes, for example 5 in M and 5 in L. That way you test the market with a small series before you pre-finance a large run.
Which mistakes do brands make most often with samples?
- Skipping the sample to save time or money.
- Sampling without fixed measurements and specifications.
- Giving feedback by phone instead of in writing.
- Judging colour on a screen instead of physically.
- Giving approval under time pressure.