Brief review
Check missing views, measurements, construction details and commercial constraints.
Clothing sample development
Women's clothing samples built around fit, fabric and production decisions.
PIPK reviews the product brief, develops the pattern and sample route, records revisions and connects the approved garment to production.
Before sampling
A sample is only useful when the brief explains what it must prove.
The same reference image can lead to different materials, construction and costs. PIPK begins by confirming the target market, quantity, size range, quality level and intended delivery window.
ReferenceTech pack, physical sample or clear images showing the intended details.
Commercial contextQuantity, target market, quality level and timing guide the development route.
Approval criteriaFit, workmanship, fabric and visible details must be recorded before bulk production.
Sample stages
The exact sequence depends on how complete the starting information is.
Some styles move directly into a first sample; others need fabric trials, pattern clarification or a toile before the representative sample can be judged.
Material and pattern route
Confirm material direction and prepare or adjust the pattern for the intended silhouette.
Sample and fit review
Evaluate balance, measurements, movement, construction and visible finish.
Revision and approval
Apply agreed comments and define the approved production reference.
Sample types and approval gates
What is the difference between a prototype, fit sample, size set and pre-production sample?
Each sample should answer a different production question. Not every style needs every stage, but the quotation and development plan should identify which stages are included, what the buyer must approve and which sample becomes the bulk reference.
Prototype or toile
Used to test the first pattern, silhouette, proportion and construction route. A toile may use substitute material and is not automatically a colour, finish or bulk-quality approval.
Fit sample
Made to assess the base-size measurements, balance, ease, movement and construction in a representative material. Fit comments should be consolidated before the pattern version changes.
Size set
Selected sizes are reviewed after grading to check proportion and the relationship between measurements, armholes, sleeves, lengths and placement details. The smallest, largest or another risk size may be more useful than checking every size equally.
Pre-production sample
Confirms the final approved pattern, fabric, colour, trims, construction, labels and packing route before bulk cutting. Any remaining difference should be written down rather than silently accepted.
Agree the required stages before paying the development fee, then connect the final sample to the approved-sample and bulk-production checkpoints.
Pattern and prototype route
Can a womenswear factory develop the pattern and sample without a ready-made pattern?
Yes. PIPK can assess a tech pack without a pattern, a sketch or reference image that still needs construction decisions, or an existing sample that needs correction. The starting information determines which measurements, materials and details must be confirmed before the first prototype is cut.
Tech pack but no pattern
Provide the latest front, back and detail drawings, base-size measurements, points of measure, tolerances and intended fit. PIPK identifies missing construction or measurement decisions before pattern work begins rather than treating an incomplete specification as approved.
Sketch or reference image
Add the target size, garment length, ease, fabric direction and the details that must be retained. A photograph can guide the silhouette, but neckline depth, internal support, closures, seam placement and finishing still need a workable construction decision.
Existing sample that needs correction
Send the sample and current pattern when available, together with measured garment dimensions, front-side-back fit photos and one numbered list of corrections. Separate fit problems from new design changes so the required pattern work and revision scope can be assessed clearly.
Approval record
Compare the revised sample with the agreed measurements, construction and material reference. The approved sample version, current pattern, measurement sheet and unresolved points should be identifiable before the style moves into grading or bulk-production preparation.
For development from sketches and references, review the custom womenswear route. For blazers and other shaped garments, use the structured-tailoring checkpoints during fitting.
Tech pack to production
What happens after a manufacturer receives a tech pack?
PIPK first checks whether the tech pack is complete enough to quote and develop. The working sequence is review, clarification, written quotation, pattern and material preparation, first sample, consolidated revisions, written approval and bulk release. A payment or target date does not replace unresolved product approvals.
File and feasibility review
Identify the tech-pack version, style code, drawings, points of measure, base size, tolerances, size range, bill of materials, construction, labels, packing, quantity and destination. Missing or contradictory items are listed for clarification.
Written quotation and development scope
Confirm what the price covers, which materials and trims are assumed, the sample deliverables, revision boundary, MOQ, payment terms and indicative schedule. Where fabric or construction is still open, the quotation should state the assumption instead of presenting it as final.
Pattern and material preparation
Develop or review the base-size pattern and resolve construction details. Shortlist fabric and trim options, approve physical references where needed, and record any change from the original tech pack before the first sample is cut.
First sample review
Check measurements, balance, movement, construction, material behaviour, workmanship and visible details. The sample is assessed against the agreed brief, not only against a front-view image.
Consolidated corrections
Send one numbered comment list with fitting photos and measured differences. PIPK separates fit corrections from new design changes, updates the relevant pattern or specification and identifies work outside the agreed revision scope before proceeding.
Sample and file approval
Approve one identifiable sample version with the current pattern, measurements, tolerances, bill of materials, colour, trims and unresolved points. Grading and production preparation should use this version rather than an earlier prototype.
Bulk order confirmation
Confirm the final quantity by size and colour, material availability, labels, packing, production schedule, payment terms and shipping responsibility. Any approved substitute or outstanding risk is recorded in writing.
Bulk release
Production is released against the approved reference and current order details. Early-production and final checks are agreed according to the garment's main risks; material, construction or visible changes require review before they replace the approved reference.
Current fees, included revisions, MOQ and standard-sample timing are set out in the sample-development terms. The deposit-to-shipment route explains the production milestones after approval.
Sample and order questions
Confirm cost, quantity and revision scope before development starts.
This summary reflects PIPK's published working terms as of 26 September 2026. The quotation confirms the actual style, materials, deliverables, fees and schedule before you proceed.
What does sample development cost?
Standard sample development starts from RMB 600, depending on the style. Evening dress development is RMB 2,000 per style; the quotation identifies any separate custom material, artwork or trim-development charges.
See the standard sample and order terms and eveningwear terms.
What is included, and when do revisions cost extra?
The agreed development scope covers pattern making, the sample, fitting corrections, the final tech pack, final digital patterns and grading for the agreed size range. The sample fee includes two rounds of minor adjustments to the agreed design.
A major change requiring a new pattern, or a third or later minor adjustment round, is charged separately according to complexity. Additional charges are confirmed before that work starts. See the full revision and final-file scope.
Can the sample fee be deducted from production?
Sample development fees can be credited against the bulk order. Your quotation records the applicable deduction before you proceed; confirm the amount and conditions for your order rather than assuming the full fee will be returned.
What quantity is needed for custom production?
PIPK's current standard custom-production MOQ is 120 pieces per style, with sizes mixed within that quantity. Colour splits are not automatic: a request to divide the style across colours is assessed against fabric, dye-lot, trim and process minimums; 120 pieces cannot be assumed to divide freely across any number of colours.
Review fabric and trim minimums. Any category-specific or project-specific exception must be stated in the written quotation; ready-stock garment terms do not apply to custom production.
How long does a sample take?
Typical standard sampling takes 7-14 days after materials and details are confirmed. Complex construction, custom fabrics, extensive handwork and revision scope need a style-specific schedule. See the sample cost and timing guide and the timing conditions below.
Does a sample commit us to a production order?
You can develop one style before deciding on bulk production. Bulk production has a separate agreed schedule after the sample and material route are confirmed; the sample lead time is not a bulk delivery promise.
Before production, confirm quantities by size and colour, material availability, labels, packing and timing against the approved sample. Use the sample approval guide to prepare the handover.
Timing
Plan 7–14 days for standard sampling after details are confirmed.
The typical 7–14 day range begins after the required materials and construction details are confirmed. Complex construction, custom materials, embellishment or multiple revisions can require more time. Confirm a project-specific schedule before arranging a fitting or launch around it.
- Faster routeClear specification, available material and familiar construction.
- Longer routeCustom fabric, structural development, extensive handwork or incomplete references.
- Buyer responseApproval speed and consolidated comments affect the overall timeline.
- Production readinessA fast sample is not useful if critical details remain unapproved.
Prepare the first sample
Send the information that the sample needs to resolve.
Reference, quantity, sizes, market, material direction and timing.
Request a sample review