The Sample Process Explained
What a free sample covers, what it does not, and why the approved sample matters more than the specification email.
What a sample actually settles
Colour under real light, weight in the hand, finish, sizing, logo placement and packaging fit. None of those are reliably settled in writing, and all of them are what a customer notices first.
What samples cost
We can offer free samples if the total value is under 5 US dollars and if you have a DHL, UPS, TNT or FedEx account and agree to pay the courier freight. Above that value the sample is quoted, and it is still cheaper than a corrected production run.
Mark it up properly
Send back specifics: this colour is too warm, the logo should move 10mm, this seam opens. Vague feedback produces a vague second sample. A second round is normal and expected.
Approval is the point
We confirm every detail of the product before making mass production. The approved sample is the object those details are confirmed against, which is why approving casually is expensive later.
Keep the sample
It is the reference for the reorder. A product that stays the same across years is usually a product whose approved sample was kept by both sides.
Quick Answers
How could I get samples?
We can offer free samples if the total value is under 5 US dollars and if you have a DHL, UPS, TNT or FedEx account and agree to pay the courier freight.
How many rounds of samples are normal?
One or two. A second round after markup is common and much cheaper than correcting a bulk order.
Does the sample bind the production run?
Yes. We confirm every detail of the product against it before mass production.
More Guides
How MOQ Works When You Source From China
Why the minimum order quantity moves between 200 and 1000 pcs, what actually drives it, and how to bring it down without paying for it twice.
Logo Decoration Methods Compared
Silkscreen, offset, embroidery, laser, engraving, stamping press and heat transfer, and which substrate each one actually belongs on.
Payment Terms and T/T Explained
Why a 30% deposit is the norm, what the balance before shipment protects, and where the risk sits for each side.
Pre-Shipment Inspection and What It Should Cover
A practical checklist for the last moment a problem is still cheap to fix.
OEM or ODM: Which One You Actually Need
The choice is not about ambition. It is about how much of your product is genuinely different from what already exists.
Apply this to a real order
Send the product and quantity you are considering and we will quote it and set out the sample and inspection plan.