A sample is the cheapest part of the order and the most expensive one to get wrong. Every flaw you accept on a single bag gets multiplied by the run — so the sample is the one moment when a two-minute question saves a thousand units.
The word “sample” covers three different things, and judging them by the same standard causes most of the friction between buyer and factory.
| Sample | What it is for | How strictly to judge it |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype | Proving a new shape, pattern and proportions | Loosely — this is a conversation, not a contract |
| Pre-production sample | Final materials, hardware, tolerances | Strictly — this is what you sign off |
| Salesman sample | A perfect unit for photos, buyers, trade shows | Cosmetically only |
If you are developing a new style, expect the first unit to be a prototype. The full route from sketch to confirmed sample is covered in how bag development works. What matters here is that you only sign off on a pre-production sample built from the materials you actually ordered.
Some fixes cost a thread and a needle; others move money across the whole run. Start with the expensive ones:
Anything you cannot judge from a photo should be judged on a physical sample. Hand, weight, edge paint and hardware colour all lie on camera.
A supplier's photo is taken under controlled light, at angles that flatter the product. It is not dishonest — it is just incomplete. The things it hides are usually the things that generate returns:
This is the strongest argument for having a physical sample in your hands before a first run — especially if you are ordering to resell and cannot afford a wave of returns on your opening line.
The sample round only works if your feedback is precise. Vague comments like “the quality feels low” cannot be acted on, and they tend to come back unchanged in the next attempt.
A straight repeat — same material, same colour, same hardware, no branding change — does not need a fresh sample. The approved unit becomes the reference, and that is exactly the kind of order that can move quickly from our stock & ready-to-ship bags. The moment anything changes — a new colour, your logo, or a different material — it is a new development and the sample cycle starts again. That is also what resets the minimum, which is covered in our guide to how minimums work.
What is the difference between a prototype and a pre-production sample? A prototype proves the pattern and proportions of a new shape. A pre-production sample is built from the final materials and hardware, and it is the one you sign off. Judge the prototype loosely and the pre-production sample strictly.
What should I check first on a bag sample? The parts that are hard to change later: cut edges and edge paint, hardware finish, and stitch density on load-bearing seams. A loose thread is easy; a wavy edge is not.
What do photos hide on a sample? Hand, weight and stiffness, plus edge paint and hardware colour under studio light, and stitch consistency. Anything you cannot judge from a photo belongs on a physical sample.
How long does a custom sample take? Typically 10 to 15 days once design and materials are confirmed. Revisions add to it, so batch your comments into one round.
How should I record sample issues? Photograph each one, mark it on the bag or a sketch, number your comments, and get the agreed changes confirmed in writing before the run starts.
Do I need a sample for a repeat order? For a straight repeat, no — the approved sample is the reference. If material, colour, hardware or branding change, treat it as new development and build a fresh sample.
Have a sample in your hands and want a second opinion on what to fix before you scale it? Send us photos and the spec — we will tell you what will and will not hold up across a run. Or start from our sampling and development services.
Send us the sample photos, the spec and the quantity — we flag what will hold up across the run and what to fix first, usually within 24 hours. Buying for a shop rather than for a brand? See stock & trade orders.
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