So you’re ready to get your clothing line into production? That’s an exciting step! But before you can start churning out those t-shirts for your adoring customers, there are some important garment samples you need to familiarize yourself with.
As a clothing designer, knowing the 12 different types of sampling will ensure your production goes smoothly and the end products meet your standards. Whether you’re a pro or just getting started in the fashion world, clothing samples are key to bringing your vision to life and avoiding costly mistakes.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what the sample size in fashion is, why it’s important, and how reviewing it carefully will set you up for success. Get ready to become a sample clothing expert—knowledge is power, friend! Once youy’ve got these down, you’ll be read to watch your designs go from sketches on a page to high-quality clothing ready to hit the racks.
Let’s dive in!
How Many Types of Garment Samples Are There?
So you’re getting ready to manufacture your clothing line—that’s exciting! An important step is creating samples. Garment samples allow you to evaluate fit, construction, quality, and design before full production. There are 12 main types of garment samples you should be familiar with.
Prototype Samples, Development Samples, And Design Samples :
Tak Po will make the first physical iteration of the prototype garment will create in accordance with the artwork during the product development phase. The main purpose of this sample is to see the design. The fabric and color of the clothing are not taken into consideration in this sample.
It allows you to perfect the pattern and make adjustments before creating samples in the actual production fabric.
Mock-Up Samples :
Mock-ups are essential in situations where the idea might not translate as effectively on paper as it does on fabric. It has no trimmings and only serves to determine whether the garment is wearable. Not every design calls for a mock-up, so not every kind of clothing sample we use.
Size Set Samples :
Next we are making size-set samples, one sample for each size in the size range. These are used to evaluate how the garment will fit on actual body types for each size. For tops, dresses, and bottoms, you’ll want a size XS, S, M, L, and XL as a minimum.
Size-set samples are made to ensure the measurement of each size. Usually, size-set samples are made covering all color combos.
Salesman’s Samples, Promotional Samples :
Then there are pre-production samples, also known as salesman samples. These are made in the actual production fabric and are used to show buyers, take photographs for marketing, and make a final check that the garment is ready for production. You’ll want at least 2 to 3 samples for each style.
Photoshoot Samples :
The samples are made using the actual yarn, fabric, and color that the models would wear during a photo shoot for the catalog. With the photo attachments, the buyer comments on the fitting requirements and issues with the dimensions. In order to get feedback from his or her customer(s) or retailer(s), the buyer also met with them. Orders are confirmed in terms of color, quantity, size, etc. For this sample, the actual material and color must be used.
Digital Garment Samples :
The term “digital garment sample” refers to samples of clothes created using software that displays the 3D form of the garment. The consumer can view the garment fit, fabric fall, pressure points (tight fitting), and movement of the digital model on the screen using the digital sample.
Many purchasers and made-to-measure consumers opt for digital garment samples thanks to technology and to shorten the time required for sample approval. The buyer accepts the screen presentation as equivalent to a physical sample when providing comments and feedback on the sample.
Pre-Production Samples :
When bulk fabric and accessories are produced internally, the plant creates pre-production (PP) samples using the actual material. To reassure the buyer that the bulk materials are on hand for production, samples are made.
Production Samples :
The firm gives production samples to customers to guarantee that bulk orders are being manufactured in accordance with their requirements, following technical standards, and using authorized samples. Buyers seek reassurance that the right materials are used and that line craftsmanship meets the required standards of quality.
Top-of-Production Samples :
When the first production goes online, samples called TOP (online samples) are collected. Some buyers frequently ask for a TOP sample to make sure the production is adhering to the pre-production sample.
Shipment Samples :
Samples used for shipment are those that represent the finished product. The samples confirm that the goods were supplied in accordance with the samples.
There are a few other sample types, like wash tests, red tags, and wearer trials. But with a solid understanding of these 12 core samples, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring your clothing line is perfectly on point before full production begins!
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