How to Order Clothing Samples from a Chinese Factory (Fees, Timeline, Checklist)
The sample stage is where good orders are made and bad orders are prevented. Here's how it works at a small-batch womenswear factory, what it costs, and how to get the most out of each round.
Sample types and what they're for
| Sample | Purpose | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Stock sample | Judge sewing quality & fabric of an existing style | Unit price (from 2 pcs) |
| Counter sample | Factory copies your reference garment or photo | USD 300, refunded against bulk |
| Pre-production (PP) sample | Final sign-off in bulk fabric & trims before cutting | Usually included in custom orders |
Realistic timeline
Counter and PP samples take 72 days to make, plus 3 days express shipping. Budget two sample rounds (one revision) into any launch plan first samples are rarely perfect, and that's normal.
The arrival checklist
- Measure before you try on. Check key points against the spec sheet: bust, waist, hip, length, sleeve. Note deviations in cm.
- Stress the seams. Pull crotch, underarm and waistband seams; check stitch density (82 SPI for knits is standard).
- Wash one sample. One wash cycle reveals shrinkage, twisting and print durability before you own 300 units of the problem.
- Photograph everything. Front, back, interior, labels your comments thread becomes the production reference.
Writing fit comments factories can act on
"It feels off" can't be sewn. "Raise the front rise 1.5 cm; take the waist in 2 cm; keep hip as is" can. Comment in measurements against specific points, one line per change, and confirm what should NOT change pattern rooms act on deltas, not vibes.
Ready to test? Request stock samples or a counter sample quote we ship samples worldwide in 72 days.