Samples are a very important part of apparel production. Samples are made to check whether the physical product can meet buyer’s requirements or not.
Sample production is done on 2 stages.
Sample before confirmation:
Development sample/ sales sample/ promotion sample:
- This is the first sample that the seller produces for the buyer.
- Generally done by using all available material. But in case of some buyers, they want to speed up the production process. That’s why they want the producers to make the sample using some actual materials so that they can consider it as proto sample.
Purpose:
The purpose of this sample is to check whether the
industry can make the garment according to the instruction of the buyer.
To get the estimated cost of production of the product.
Proto sample/ Reference sample:
- After passing the development sample proto sample is produced.
- Proto sample is the prototype of original sample.
- Both actual and available materials are used.
Purpose:
The purpose of this sample is to replicate the look
and feel of the original garment.
Counter sample:
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
Purpose:
The sample is kept as a reference by the factory for any future inquiry or for similar order production.
Fit sample:
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
- Only one/two base sizes (like- size ‘M’) is produced as fit sample.
The purpose of making this sample is to check the fit of the garment.
In the design phase some other samples are produced. They
are-
Strike off:
- If there is any application on the garments such as- print, embroidery etc, then the approval for those application has to be taken separately from the buyer.
- For this purpose a piece of fabric is produced or embroidery work is done on them and then sent to the buyer for approval. This is called strike off.
Mock up:
- If any alteration or any minor changes is done on any specific portion of the garments (such as- on pocket) then only that portion is made by the factory and then sent to the buyer for approval. This is called mock up.
After confirmation sample:
Red tag sample/Gold seal sample/Sealed sample:
- A security seal or tag is given on the sample by the buyer.
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
Purpose:
This sample is used during the quality inspection.
During that inspection the QC checks the garment against the sample and if the
seal is broken or tempered, then the QC mat refuse to conduct the quality
check. So the sample must be handled with caution.
Size set sample:
- Sample of all the ordered sizes are prepared.
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
- Must be prepared on time to meet the lead time target.
Purpose:
In order to start bulk production, all sizes should
meet the requirement of the buyer. So without approved size set sample, bulk
production cannot be started.
You can find a quick checklist table here:
Checklist of different samples needed for apparel production
Pre-production sample:
- This sample works as a baseline for bulk production.
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
Purpose:
Pre-production sample acts as a template of bulk
production. So without fully approved pp sample, bulk production cannot start.
Trial production sample/Top of production (TOP) sample:
- These are the samples that are checked during the quality inspection of the goods of the first run.
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
Purpose:
If trial production samples pass the quality check
then it is assured that the production floor is producing products according to
buyer’s requirements.
Garment performance test (GPT) sample:
- These are the samples that are sent to the lab for testing.
- All the tests must follow the protocol of the buyer.
Purpose:
Different test like seam strength, seam slippage,
fastness strength, print quality test, button pulling test etc are done in the
lab to check the quality of the product.
Bulk production sample:
- These are the samples that represent the bulk production floor.
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample and also samples of all color has to be produced.
Purpose: Approved bulk production sample means all the
products have met the requirements of the buyer and the buyer will accept the
product.
Photo shoot sample:
- The garment has been draped on some models or dummies and then picture is taken.
- This photo is displayed in the retail stores of the company and also used on papers, magazines and brochures.
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
Purpose:
This sample is used for advertising purpose. The
customers see the photos and become excited about the upcoming collection.
Salesman sample:
- This is the sample that is displayed at the retail store way before the supply of the bulk product.
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
Purpose:
This sample is used for campaign purpose. Depending
on the performance of sales man sample, buyer may even increase the order size.
Showroom/Show sample:
- This is a sample that is prepared for displaying purpose.
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
Purpose:
This sample is used for displaying in the in house
design room or in any exhibition.
Shipment sample:
- This sample has to follow all the quality requirements, folding, tagging, bagging, pre-packing, labeling and final packing requirements of the buyer.
- All actual fabric, accessories and other items are used for making this sample.
Purpose:
This is the final sample provided by the seller.
Approved shipment sample means all the requirements of buyer have been met and
now the goods are to be shipped.
You can find a quick checklist table here: Checklist of different samples needed for apparel production
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