Sample Development Process: From

Concept to Production
a merchandiser involved in product development, I play a crucial role in
bringing new products to market. The sample development process is an
essential step in this journey. It involves several stages, each with its own
set of tasks and challenges. Here's a simplified breakdown of the sample
development process:

1. Conceptualization
Idea Generation: Brainstorming and gathering ideas for new products.

Market Research: Analyzing market trends, customer preferences, and

competitors.

Identifying Needs: Understanding what customers want and need.

2. Designing
Sketching: Creating initial sketches or digital renderings of the product.

Technical Drawings: Developing detailed technical drawings for the

product.

Material Selection: Choosing the right materials based on design,

function, and cost.

3. Prototyping
Creating Prototypes: Building initial prototypes to test functionality and
design.

Testing and Iteration: Testing the prototype for quality, durability, and
user experience. Making necessary adjustments based on feedback.

4. Sample Development
Creating Samples: Producing samples based on the finalized design and
prototype.

Quality Control: Checking samples for quality, accuracy, and

consistency.
Costing: Estimating the cost of production based on the sample.

5. Production Preparation
Sourcing Suppliers: Finding reliable suppliers for materials and
manufacturing.

Production Planning: Creating a production timeline and schedule.

Finalizing Specifications: Confirming all details including materials,

colors, sizes, and packaging.

6. Production
Mass Production: Starting the production process based on the
approved sample.

Quality Assurance: Implementing quality control measures during

production.

Monitoring Progress: Keeping track of production to ensure deadlines

are met.

Conclusion
As a merchandiser involved in product development, mastering the
sample development process is essential for success in today's
competitive market. By meticulously following each step, from
conceptualization to production, you ensure that your products meet
quality standards, are cost-effective, and resonate with your target
market. The sample development process requires not only creativity but
also careful planning and attention to detail. By excelling in this process,
you can effectively bring your product from concept to production and
achieve success in the marketplace.

Sample Development
Dynamic & Experienced Team

Warptex always give extra priority for all kind of Samples based on
customer requirement. Sampling is very important in Apparel industry
because the buyers usually place orders after reviewing the quality of the
samples. It is one of the key elements of the pre-production processes.
The process of developing sample varies based on the buyer’s
requirement and the style / type of the garment they are dealing with.

Types of garment Samples are provided by Warptex as per

customer requirement,

 Development sample
 Proto sample
 Fit sample
 Size set sample
 Strike-off sample
 Counter sample
 Ad or photo shoot sample
 Sales man /Marketing /Showroom sample
 Garment performance test (GPT) sample
 Pre-production (PP) sample
 Wash sample
 Top of production (TOP) sample
 Shipment sample

The main purposes of the sampling process are given below:

1. To allow the buyer to judge the production capabilities.

2. To provide a means for making revisions in the bulk production
process.
3. To let the manufacturer estimates the thread and fabric
consumption, and develop cost quotations.
4. To let the buyer knows the potential of an exporter.

What is Sample Development in

Garment Industry
Sample development is implementing a designer’s idea (image) into a set of patterns. In developing
the pattern, the pattern designer needs to study and analyze the image, and design the pattern
according to the standards (form, texture, parameters, …) this is also the brand feature of the product
line.

In the industry, the prototype is a very important product. Rely on the sample so partners or orderers
can rely on it to make larger orders. Samples in the textile industry are given to evaluate the quality
and technique of the garment sample, thereby agreeing on the standard product to make the best
order.

For customers and businesses, sample development plays a very important role. Based on the
sample, the customer can assess where the customer is expected to cooperate or place an order.
From there, it helps to create absolute trust and make orders more successful.

Also based on the sample, the enterprise can prove its workmanship, and as well as help the
enterprise show its expertise and professionalism in the production of goods. From there, it will be
easy to convince customers to cooperate and sign long-term contracts. The prototype created will
have to meet the needs of the customer, so once the prototype is available, both the customer and
the business will complete the production purpose of the product. And also rely on the prototype to
know the lead time, product production performance.

Currently, most companies and factories are involved in producing export orders for foreign fashion
brands, besides a small percentage of domestic orders. Before bringing the product to market, they
will have to develop a prototype. The first samples must be sent to the customer for comments, and
corrections, and samples are sewn according to the design specification of the buyer.

There are many different types of test samples in industrial garment production. Each stage will have
a different sample product, helping to meet the production schedule as well as to create the most
valuable shipment.

The Purpose of Sampling

Sample development plays a decisive role in the process of creating quality products, meeting
customer requirements, so when developing samples, it is necessary to ensure the accuracy of
parameters, shapes, and textures. In ODM production, OBM pattern design staff usually based on the
basic pattern set (required requirements have been met) to develop new patterns but only change the
texture, cut lines, open blocks, change the style. , decorative form… to save time (not design from
scratch) and ensure the requirements of the new pattern. If the form, structure, parameters and ideas
cannot be guaranteed during the process of sample development, the value of the product after
testing will not be accepted.

The main purpose of sampling is to create the best quality product that meets the needs of the
customer before it is put on the market. Besides, their purpose is to allow the buyer to get an
assessment of the manufacturer’s capabilities to what extent. In addition, prototyping provides a very
convenient means of making changes before going into mass production. Through this, the
manufacturer can also estimate the consumption of thread, fabric and can accurately quote the costs
involved. In addition, its purpose is also to let the buyer know how potential the exporter is.

Sample Development Procedure

in Garment Industry
Before setting out a sample sewing plan, the enterprise must base on the requirements and product
technical criteria that the customer has given. Provide a suitable and complete color palette, color
requirements to be followed and the correct selection according to the order to be ordered. Prepare
enough materials before proceeding to sample production. The raw materials must be synchronized
and of the right quality according to the requirements of the customer.

Pattern making
Sample products need to be carefully studied in terms of design, production techniques and assembly
methods to have a complete sample product. In addition, it is also necessary to research processing
methods to create product details, thereby providing the most reasonable production method, saving
time as well as creating a product. high quality samples.

In addition, when Pattern making, it will help businesses save raw materials, and reduce redundant
processes in the production process. As a result, businesses can save labor, increase revenue and
economic efficiency for orders. After carefully studying the sample product, the enterprise can make a
comparison of the inherent condition. And from there, it also helps to build a more perfect production
system.

Cutting and making

Appropriate sewing equipment is required to sew the correct specimen to the given quality and
technique. Not every product uses a machine, sometimes it is necessary to invest or prepare
additional machines or accessories that have the function to fulfill the requirements that the product
needs.

In order to proceed with sewing products, the cutting and making of finished products is very
important. This is the stage that determines 90% of the success of the sample product. It is necessary
to determine which is the main fabric, which is the auxiliary fabric, whether the quality of the fabric is
correct, or the elasticity has met the requirements … then proceed to cut the semi-finished product. In
addition, it is necessary to check more quantity, fabric alignment, and correct detail dimension. Only
then can the fabric be cut, and the fabric must be cut according to the marked part. While cutting, it is
necessary to ensure industrial hygiene.

In this process, enterprises need to study the parameters, measurements, but additional details and
the permissible errors of the parts to be assembled. Besides, it is necessary to study the quantity and
master the properties of auxiliary materials. As for auxiliary materials, in apparel we need to pay
attention to the same type of thread, zipper, or other accessories attached to the product.

In addition to the auxiliary materials, businesses also need to master the color criteria, the thickness
or thinness of the fabric and the elasticity of the product. Research technical standards to ensure the
use of accessories that best match the requirements in the sample product such as the right color, the
right type of needle, the right type of keychain, label or mex…

Production sample
When sewing the test pattern, it is necessary to choose the right type of needle for the material of the
fabric. Choosing the right needle is very important, if the needle is too large for the thickness of the
fabric, the surface of the fabric will be easily broken, and the needle line will be exposed, losing the
aesthetics of the product. When sewing a test pattern, it is necessary to follow a pre-planned
procedure.

The semi-finished products after being sewn will be assembled into a complete sample product.
Before being sewn into a product, individual parts need to be checked for seams, quality and
measured standards. Sew buttons if any on the product. Buttons or buttons need to be sewn with a
reasonable, sure distance. After sewing, clean the thread head, discarding the excess thread on the
seam.

Final approval
While sewing the product, close supervision is required to ensure that the process is carried out
correctly and completely. In addition, it is also possible to promptly detect errors made when sewing,
helping to create the best and high-quality sample products. Based on the sample product compared
with the customer’s requirements, if there are errors, it should be quickly corrected to make the
sample the most perfect.

When sewing the test pattern is done, final confirmation from the QC department is required. This
department will conduct a full re-inspection, then send it to the technical department to check, and
finally confirm with the sales department to ensure the right quality of products can be put on the
market and progress.

After sewing, the QC department or department checks the whole thing until the technical department
and finally the sales department ensure product quality.

Grading
The standard garment sample grading process is checking the product quality from the material,
design, size, label, and correctness of the sample at the production site before sending the goods.
reach the consumer.

This is a very important job, to ensure that the product samples before being put into mass production
must be really perfect, without errors in anything related to sewing production.

Although it is possible that a product sample has been made very carefully, if there is just one
mistake, when it goes into mass production, it will have to be redone from the beginning, which is very
time-consuming, laborious and costly. So supervisors have to conduct product sample grading and
give feedback.

Production
Finally, after ensuring the sample development process, proceed to production and provide products
for customers to check. If the sample product has met the requirements of the customer, then proceed
to production.

Thus, through the above article, everyone has gained more knowledge about the purpose and sample
development in the apparel field. If you are a fashion manufacturer, the information shared in the
above article will surely be useful for everyone.