A PP (pre-production) sample is the final approved garment made with the intended bulk fabric, trims, decoration and construction. It becomes the physical reference for bulk production and quality inspection.
Sampling can reveal fit, construction and material issues before bulk production, when changes are easier to manage. It does not eliminate every production risk. Each sample has a different purpose; here's what to check and record at each stage.
Sampling usually runs: proto/fit sample (review the design and fit) → PP sample (confirm the intended production materials and construction) → bulk. The approved PP sample is a physical reference for production, used alongside the tech pack, written approvals and agreed tolerances. Bulk still requires process checks and final inspection.
Stage 1 — Proto / fit sample
The first physical version of your style. Its job is to answer "does this actually work?" — the pattern, the proportions, the construction. It's often made in whatever suitable fabric is on hand rather than your final one, because at this stage you're testing shape, not colour.
- Check: overall fit and silhouette, key measurements against your spec, how the construction reads.
- Expect changes: this stage exists to be corrected. Comments here are cheap.
- Multiple rounds are normal for a complex style — a second fit sample after revisions is common.
A base-size fit approval does not establish the whole size range. Use our size-set sampling and approval checklist to agree which sizes need review and record the evidence separately from PP approval.
Stage 2 — PP (pre-production) sample
A PP sample should use the approved bulk fabric, trims, decoration and construction. Review it before authorising bulk production and record any remaining conditions in writing.
The PP sample records the approved fabric, colour, decoration, label placement and finishing. One approved sample does not demonstrate consistency across an entire order; production checks and final inspection assess bulk against that reference.
What to check before you approve a PP sample
Go through it deliberately — ideally with your tech pack open beside it:
Measurements
Check the key points of measure against your spec, and confirm they're within agreed tolerance.
Fabric
Weight, hand feel and stretch — is it the fabric you signed off, not a substitute?
Colour
Compare against your reference or lab dip under the agreed lighting conditions. Record the approved colour reference and assessment conditions.
Use our lab dip and strike-off approval guide to distinguish dyed-fabric and print approvals before signing off the final garment.
Decoration
Print, embroidery or applique — placement, size, and how it's holding on the fabric.
Trims & labels
Main label, care and size labels, drawcords, zips — correct items, correct positions.
Finishing
Seams, topstitching, inside cleanliness. Turn it inside out — that's where quality shows.
Also worth doing: try it on, and if you can, put it through a wash to see how it behaves. Approve in writing, with any final comments listed explicitly.
Why the PP sample protects you
Once approved, the PP sample becomes the physical reference standard for your order — what bulk is inspected against. That's what turns "it doesn't look like I imagined" into an objective comparison. Keep the approved sample, specifications and written comments together so quality discussions use the same reference.
Once bulk is complete, the approved PP sample also becomes the physical reference for garment quality control and AQL inspection before shipment.
How to keep sampling fast
- Send a clear brief — a tech pack or a reference garment with your changes spelled out. Ambiguity is what creates extra rounds.
- Give consolidated feedback — one complete list beats a drip of messages.
- Be specific and measurable — "2cm longer in the body" beats "a bit longer".
- Decide fabric and colour early — these often have the longest lead times. Use our clothing production lead-time guide to plan sampling, sourcing, bulk, QC and delivery around the launch date.
- Record PP approval before authorising bulk production, including any conditions and agreed tolerances.
Start with a sample
We develop your style through fit and PP samples before bulk to establish the approved reference for production — and our sample fee is deductible from your first bulk order. See our custom clothing manufacturer page, or our OEM/ODM clothing manufacturer page to start development.
Sampling FAQ
What is a PP sample?
A pre-production sample — made in your actual bulk fabric, trims, decoration and construction. It's the final approval before production, and once approved it becomes the standard your bulk is checked against.
What's the difference between a fit sample and a PP sample?
A fit sample tests the pattern and proportions, often in a substitute fabric. A PP sample confirms the intended bulk fabric, trims, decoration and construction for production approval. Bulk consistency is then checked during production and final inspection.
How many sample rounds are normal?
Simple styles can be approved in one or two rounds; complex styles take more. Clear, consolidated, measurable feedback is the main thing that reduces rounds.
Do I pay for samples?
Yes, there's a sample fee — and it's deductible from your first bulk order, so it applies to your production when you move forward.
Can I skip sampling to save time?
We recommend reviewing the appropriate samples before authorising bulk. Sampling helps identify issues early, while process checks and final inspection remain necessary during production.