SAMPLE PRODUCTION

Sample production & garment sampling

Get a real sample in your hands before committing to bulk. We sew prototypes from your tech pack at our facilities — refined until every detail is right.

The most expensive mistake in fashion is skipping the sample

Skipping samples means committing 50–500 units of cash to a guess. The fabric drapes wrong; the construction frays after a wash; the size charts are off by 2cm; the fit is right on a model but wrong on a customer. By the time you find out, you have inventory you can't sell.

Sampling catches construction issues, sizing problems, and fabric behavior before production — when fixes are cheap and reversible. Every credible factory bakes sampling into their workflow because it protects them too.

Fabrickly delivers samples in 7–14 days. Sample fees credit against your bulk order, so the only cost is the time it takes to get it right.

How sampling works

Day 1

Tech pack review + fabric sourcing brief

Day 2–7

First sample sewn at our facility

Day 8–10

DHL-tracked delivery; you provide feedback

Day 11–14

Revised sample (if needed); approval before bulk

Three kinds of samples we make

Proto

First physical version

Used to validate the tech pack — fabric, construction, fit. Not for selling.

Salesman sample (SMS)

Pre-bulk version

Used to pre-sell to retailers, model on look-books, validate market pricing.

Pre-production sample (PPS)

Final approved version

Bulk production is matched to this sample. Once you sign off, factory begins.

Sample pricing

Sample fees often credit against your bulk order. Indicative starting prices below.

T-shirts & basics

from £180

Single jersey, simple seams, basic finishes

Mid-complexity

from £280

Hoodies, dresses, structured shirts

Complex

from £450

Knitwear, outerwear, swimwear, performance

What we need from you

1

Tech pack (or we can help build one)

2

Reference samples or sketches

3

Fabric preferences (or trust us to source)

4

Target retail price

5

Delivery destination

Where to from here?

Don't have a tech pack yet?

Start there — your sample will only be as good as your spec.

See tech pack service →

Sample approved? Move to bulk.

Once your sample is signed off, bulk production starts at MOQ 50.

See manufacturing →

Sampling FAQ

How much does a sample cost?

T-shirts & basics from £180. Mid-complexity (hoodies, dresses) from £280. Complex pieces (knitwear, outerwear, swim) from £450. Sample fees credit against your bulk order.

How long does sampling take?

7 days for the first sample. Total 14 days including a revision round. Rush options (3–5 days) available for an additional fee.

How many revisions can I have?

One revision round is included. Each additional round is invoiced at half the sample fee.

What if I don't have a tech pack?

We can build one as part of the sampling brief. Add £350 to the sample order and we deliver tech pack + sample together in 14 days.

Will you sign an NDA?

Yes — mutual NDAs are standard. We'll sign yours or provide ours.

Are sample fees credited against bulk?

Yes. 100% of the sample fee credits to your first bulk PO of that style. No expiration.

Get a real sample in 7–14 days

Real sewing, real fabric, real fit — before you commit a penny to bulk.

Common questions

Frequently asked

How long does sample production take?

Standard fit sample turnaround is 2 weeks from tech pack approval. PP (pre-production) samples take a further 1-2 weeks after fit approval.

How many sample iterations should I budget for?

Most clients land production-ready in 2-3 iterations: first fit sample, fit-corrected sample, then PP sample. Three iterations is the industry norm.

Do you source fabric for samples?

Yes. Fabric sourcing is included in our sample service. We pull from our mill library and can also work from your specified swatches.

Can you sample without manufacturing the bulk order?

Yes. Sample-only projects are welcome, especially for brands testing concepts before committing to production.

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