Types of samples

Introduction
• Sampling has a vital role in attracting the
buyers.

• Normally buyers place an order after satisfying

with the quality of samples.
 Prototype sample
• A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a
product built to test a concept or process or to act as a
thing to be replicated or learned from.

• It is the very first sample given to the buyer.

• It is prepared according to the buyer’s specification.

• It is a trial sample prepared in product development

department.
 Prototype sample
• Buyer wants to see here that how it looks likes
after applying new design on it.

• Any types of fabric and color can be used here.

• For this type of sample, 2-3 pieces of garments

should be made where 1 piece for manufacturer
and rest of those are sent to the buyer for
correction.
 Fit sample
• Fit samples are samples produced by a manufacturer so
that the company purchasing the product can review the
garments to make certain they fit properly to the human
body.

• In other words, the primary function of a fit sample is to

evaluate fit.

• After approving proto sample, fit sample should be made

by following measurement sheet provided by buyer.
 Fit sample
• It can be made by using similar fabric, nearer GSM and
any color.

• In Fit sample, stitching and measurement must be 100

percent accurate. Here fabrication and color can be
changed but no compromise on stitching and
measurement.

• 2-3 Garments are used in fit sample where 1 piece kept by

the manufacturer and rest of those are sent to the buyer.
 Size set sample
• The purpose of the size set sample is to check fit
of the garment in different sizes.

• In this stage, factory develops samples in

multiple sizes.

• Buyer checks size set samples and gives

feedback to factory if anything need to be
corrected.
 Size set sample
• After approving fit sample, based on the patterns of
approved sample, all the other sizes samples should be
graded here and make pattern for different sizes.

• After that, make 2-3 pieces for each size of that order.
Manufacturer keeps 1 piece for him and sends 1 or 2
pieces to the buyer for cutting approval.

• Here, it should be noted that, without the size set

sample approval, cutting should not be started.
 Salesman sample
• Salesman samples are made to put on display in the retail
showroom.

• Salesman sample are displayed for assessing customer's

feedback and according to customers response buyers
forecast demand of a particular style.

• Sales samples are made with actual fabric, trims, and

accessories.

• Buyer pays for salesman samples to the developer.

 Salesman sample
• Salesman sample is used by sales team of buyer to enhance
the sales of any garment.

• Buyer may send the sample through salesman in the market

to receive market feedback from the customers.

• It is done on approximately 200-500 pieces depending on

the customers and season.

• The main objectives of salesman sample are to check

market, feedback, buyer’s design etc.
 Pre-production sample
• Buyer asks pre-production sample to be made
in actual production line, so that operators
know what they are going to make.

• This sample is made with actual fabric, trims

and accessories and made by sewing line
tailors.
 Pre-production sample
• Pre-production sample must be approved by
buyer or buying house merchants (technical
persons) prior to proceeding actual production.
It is the very critical stage.

• Extra care must be needed here to confirm an

order correctly.
Top of production sample (TOP)
• Once production is started, few pieces are
taken out in the middle of the production.

• Production pieces are sent to buyer as TOP

sample.
Top of production sample (TOP)
• All buyers do not ask for TOP sample.

• Purpose is to cross-check whether factory is

following pre-production sample specification
or not.

• If TOP sample fails to fulfill its required

quality then whole order will be resumed.
 Shipment sample
• Shipment sample is needed after completing
final inspection when goods are ready for the
shipment.

• This is the sample which is required by the

buyer after the final inspection is passed and
the goods are ready for shipment.
 Shipment sample
• The difference between the shipment sample
and the other samples is that the shipment
sample is in the form with all packing
accessories packed in the required form and
will represent the product in that form in
which the buyer will receive the goods.

• 2-3 finished and packed pieces with all

packing details are kept for future reference.