Sampling FAQ

Sampling turns your 2D designs into 3D garments to fit, test, and wear. Here's the process:

1. Tech Pack Required: We need a Tech Pack for each product. (See "Design FAQ" if you don't have one.)

2. Production Region: Factors like product type, quantity, fabric, delivery date, and cost influence the best production region. We have trusted factories worldwide.

3. Costing: We provide unit prices for your products.

4. Initial Sampling: If costs are acceptable, we produce an initial sample for you to review.

5. Review and Feedback: After receiving the sample, we make any necessary changes based on your feedback.

Next Steps:

• Option A: Commit to bulk production. This starts Pre-Production sampling to refine products. Pre-Production sampling is free after committing to the order. Bulk production begins once all approvals are obtained.

• Option B: Request a Resubmit Initial sample if not ready for bulk production. This is chargeable and subject to the same limitations as the first sample.

The sampling process can repeat until all approvals are received. Physical bulk production starts only after final approval.

Initial Sample:

• Created before committing to bulk production.

• May have limitations, such as substitute fabrics or colours if exact matches aren't available.

• Uses generic, unbranded labels and trims.

• May be submitted in parts for individual approvals.

Resubmit Initial Sample:

• Additional samples needed before committing to bulk production.

Pre-Production (PP) Sample:

• Created after committing to bulk production.

• More accurate representation of the final product.

• Uses bulk-ordered fabrics and branded labels/trims.

• Incorporates feedback from Initial samples.

Resubmit Pre-Production Sample:

• Additional samples needed after committing to bulk production but before starting physical production.

Summary:

• Initial samples: Early stage, potential for substitutes, and generic components.

• Pre-Production samples: Post-commitment, more accurate, with branded and final materials.

Sampling helps refine your products and identify potential production issues. It is normal to need multiple samples because:

• Initial Samples: The first attempt to turn your design into a 3D garment. They may have limitations and are not expected to be perfect.

• Purpose: To provide a sample for feedback and to help secure a bulk production order.

Options after receiving the Initial Sample:

• Option A: Commit to a bulk production order. Pre-Production sampling will refine the product with accurate materials, colours, and branded elements. Subsequent Pre-Production samples are free once committed.

• Option B: Request a Resubmit Initial sample if not ready to commit. This is chargeable and may still have limitations like the first Initial sample.

Multiple rounds of samples help ensure your final bulk production is correct.

You can choose any individual size for your samples (e.g., Small, Medium, Large, X-Large). However, we can only produce samples in one size at a time.

During the sampling stage, patterns are made for just one size to finalize fit and styling. Once approved, patterns for other sizes will be developed.

We recommend selecting a sample size you can easily fit and comment on, whether it’s your size, a friend’s size, or a model’s size. This helps in providing accurate feedback.

The main goal of sampling is to get approvals for bulk production, not to produce multiple samples of the same product.

We can try to accommodate requests for multiple samples, but it's not always possible and may incur additional costs.

Multiple samples, if provided, can only be in one size. See "What size can I have my samples in?" for more details.

We understand the need for samples for photoshoots and deadlines and will try to accommodate these requests. However, the primary purpose of sampling is to get approvals for bulk production, not to create samples specifically for photoshoots.

Initial Samples:

• Often not suitable for photoshoots.

• May have limitations in fabric, colour, and lack branded labels and trims.

• Likely to require further changes.

Pre-Production Samples:

• More accurate and closer to final production.

• Include correct fabrics, colours, branded labels, and trims.

• Still subject to comments and may not be entirely accurate.

Recommendation:

• Wait until you have the samples in hand and have checked them before booking photoshoots.

• We cannot be held responsible for photoshoots booked without our knowledge or based on the assumption that samples will arrive by a specific date or be 100% perfect.

We advise waiting until you have received and approved the samples before making any commitments.

We recommend providing reference samples alongside a Tech Pack to improve accuracy and reduce interpretation errors. Reference samples can help with fit, fabric, labels, trims, construction, styling, or stitching details.

Returning Reference Samples:

• We will try to return your reference samples but cannot always guarantee it.

• Samples may be sent to third parties or altered for analysis.

• If you need a reference sample returned, please inform us in advance, and we’ll do our best to ensure its return.

• Initial Sampling: Chargeable due to no order commitment.

• Resubmit Initial Sampling: Also chargeable for the same reason.

• Additional Costs: Customers bear additional costs like courier charges and extra accessories or trims.

• Pre-Production Sampling: Free of charge once you commit to a bulk production order.

For detailed rates, please visit our 'rates' section.

All sampling charges must be paid in advance before the process starts. Once the invoice is issued and paid, we can begin producing your samples.

Sampling lead times vary based on fabric availability, product type, country of origin, and time of year.

• Typical Duration: Usually takes about 4 weeks per sample round (+1 week for shipping and comments).

• Range: Sampling can be as quick as 1 week or take over 6 weeks.

Sample Rounds:

• Some orders need only 1 Initial sample and 1 Pre-Production sample before bulk production.

• Others may need 2 Initial samples and 1-2 Pre-Production samples.

Average: Most customers need 3 sample rounds, roughly 4 weeks each.

Yes, once you have paid for your Initial samples, they are yours to keep.

No, you are not obligated to place a bulk production order after receiving your Initial samples. However, the purpose of Initial sampling is to help secure a bulk order commitment. We aim to ensure that sampling will likely lead to bulk orders, as we are not solely a sampling company.

Initial sampling costs cover raw materials and development time, not profit. While we understand that not all samples turn into bulk orders, we cannot undertake sampling projects without the intention of a potential bulk order from the outset.

Each sample is subject to our Sampling of Goods Terms & Conditions, included with every Sample Request.

To read these Terms & Conditions in advance, please find the links in our website footer.