The garment sampling process allows brands and manufacturers to see their exact designs before they go into production. This is important because it allows them to see mistakes and make any necessary corrections before the garment ends up with a customer.
The sampling process should never be skipped.
While there are 12 different types of samples in the garment development/production process – the steps to make each sample are always the same. They are…
1. Design and design review
2. Paper patterns 3. Fabric cutting
4. Sewing
5. Fitting
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1. Pre-Development = made outside of the factory
2. Development = made in the factory before production
3. Production = made in the factory during production
4. Factory = aka, keep samples
1. Digital sample = 3D virtual samples
2. Mock up = a physical representation of the designs, usually made in a local sample room, this sample will then be sent to the factory as a design reference for development
1. Fit sample = made out of available fabric and without finishes this sample is used to check the pattern
2. Proto = made in similar fabrics to production, might not be the exact color or print
3. PP sample = everything is made in production quality
1. Size set samples = 1 sample in every single size to check grading
2. SMS – sales man samples, each sales person is given a set of samples
3. GPT = garment performance test samples, used for testing quality
1. Sealed/Gold sample = Every piece of production might match back to this sample exactly
2. TOP sample = the first sample made on the production line
3. Shipment sample = random samples from production pulled before the entire order ships
4. Press sample = used for PR and photoshoots
These are an extra set of samples that the factory keeps. This way, when you meet over Zoom or FaceTime, both of you will have the same sample in hand to refer back to, making long-distance communication easier.
While you don’t need all 12 samples. You shouldn’t skip these…
1. Proto/fit = can be combined
2. PP sample/Gold = once the PP sample is approved, it becomes the gold sample
3. Shipment samples/press samples = can also be combined into just 1 set
4. Sales samples = order 1 set for each sales agent, if you are doing your own sales you can use your shipment/press samples
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