Sampling Stages For Apparel
Sampling Stages for Apparel
Clothing Sampling Guide
TAAS DIGITAL
May 1, 2019
What is sampling in fashion?
Have you ever wondered how your favorite garments are made before they hit the shelves? Many are surprised by the complex clothing design and creation process, where sampling is key.
Sampling is the process of creating physical garment samples or accessories before they are manufactured in large quantities or in mass production.
To ensure the perfect fit, fabric, function, and overall look of a garment, designers and manufacturers need to test and refine their clothing creations. The sampling process comes in handy to accomplish it.
There are two main fashion sampling categories: development sampling and production sampling.
Development Sampling
The first stage of the sampling process is development sampling, which involves creating a prototype sample, a salesman sample, and fit samples.
Prototype sample: The prototype sample is the first physical version of the garment. It is typically made from inexpensive materials like muslin to describe design intent and allow quick and easy changes. Due to time restrictions, designers usually send tech packs with garment specs and reference photographs for styling to vendors for prototype creation.
Salesman sample: The salesman sample is a more refined version of the prototype sample. It is made from the final fabrics and trims and is used to show buyers and retailers the design and styling of the garment from the upcoming collection. The salesman sample is often called a photoshoot sample, as it is used for photo sessions to create images for catalog or e-commerce clothing product offerings. The primary purpose of the salesman sample is marketing, sales, and gathering feedback from buyers to forecast demand for a specific style.
Fit samples: Fit samples are made to ensure that the garment fits properly. The fit-sampling process is quite often the longest part of the process, as it involves numerous correction requests communicated between brands and their vendors.
Production Sampling
The second stage is production sampling, which creates samples, identical to the garments that will be produced in bulk. There are three main types of production sampling: the pre-production sample, the top-of-production sample, and the size set. These samples are created to confirm that the garment meets all specifications and quality standards before the final shipment to the buyer.
Pre-production sample (PP sample): The PP sample is the final version of the garment before bulk production begins. It is made from the approved fabrics and trims and is used to confirm that the garment meets all specifications and is approved for bulk production.
Top of production (TOP) sample: The TOP sample is a garment that is randomly selected from the production line. It is sent to the buyer or retailer to ensure that the garments in the production run meet the required quality standards.
Size set: The size set is a set of garments that includes one sample of each size that will be produced. It is used to check the accuracy of the garment's measurements across all sizes.
The shipment sample will serve as a future reference for both the factory and the buyer for label placement, folding, packaging, and tagging.
The sampling process can be lengthy and costly, so it is important to be organized and efficient. The number of samples that need to be created will vary depending on the garment's complexity and the desired quality level.
In recent years, 3D digital prototyping has become an increasingly popular way to speed up the sampling process and reduce costs. 3D digital prototypes can be used to create realistic, interactive models of garments that can be used for design reviews, fit testing, and marketing purposes.
The sampling process is an integral part of the garment production process. By carefully following the steps involved, designers and manufacturers can ensure that their garments meet the highest quality standards.
Next time you shop for your favorite fashion items, remember the many people and processes involved in bringing them to the market.
Contact us today to learn more about the latest technology tools for digital clothing sampling, sizing, and fit.
We can help you save time and money, improve quality, and reduce environmental impact.
If you are interested in learning more about how technology tools can help you with your fashion business, please get in touch with us today. We would be happy to discuss your specific needs and how we can help you achieve your goals.
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