What is pre-production sample?
A pre-production sample — PPS — is one complete garment made to the final specification on the same line, from the same fabric, with the real decoration and labels, before bulk production starts. It is approved in writing, and bulk is made to match it.
Why it matters
Everything changed at sample stage — the placement height, the number font, the drawcord colour — would have been expensive at bulk. It is the only reliable predictor of two hundred garments.
On our floor
Part of every quoted order; photographed, or shipped for larger runs. Blank samples to check fabric and fit come earlier and cheaper.
Common questions
- Is a sample included in the price?
- A PPS is part of a quoted bulk order. One-off samples before commitment are $40–100 and credited against bulk.
- How long does a sample take?
- About a week for a decorated stock garment; two for cut-and-sew including pattern work.
- Can I change things after the sample?
- Yes — that is what it is for. Changes after bulk starts are what it prevents.
- Blank sample or PPS?
- Blank to check fabric and fit before committing; PPS to approve the finished product before bulk.
Related terms
strike-off
A strike-off is a single test print of your design on the real garment or fabric, produced before bulk so you can approve the colour, the…
stitch-out
A stitch-out is a test embroidery of your digitised logo on the actual garment fabric, made before bulk so you can approve the thread…
lab dip
A lab dip is a small piece of the actual fabric dyed to your Pantone reference before any bulk dyeing, sent for approval. It is how a…
size grading
Size grading is the process of scaling a base pattern — usually the medium — up and down to every other size by set increments for each…
Where this applies
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