SHANTO-MARIAM UNIVERSITY OF

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY

Module name: Sample and Store Room Management

Topic: Role of different samples in the export oriented Apparel Industry
Garment Sampling
Sampling of garments is given great emphasis. It determines the approval of future orders
from buyers and fetches business for a garment manufacturing or export company. Sampling
is one of key elements of the pre-production processes in a garment industry. Before a
manufacturer produces bulk orders, a prior sampling of styles is done to get approvals and
jumpstart the fabrication of garments.

The main purposes of the sampling process in garment industry:

1. To allow the buyer to judge the production capabilities of the manufacturer.

2. To provide a means for making revisions in the bulk production process.
3. To let the manufacturer, estimate the thread and fabric consumption, and develop cost
quotations.
4. To let the buyer, know the potential of an exporter.
Since the buyer generally places the order after getting satisfied with the quality of the
samples, this process is considered to be a vital one. The sampling process is generally
performed in the apparel industry by a separate department with skilled labors since the
process decides the order acceptance factor. The merchandiser is the person who coordinates
with buyer and sampling department. Hence, all his communications need to be understood
clearly in the sample development process.

The role of 14 different types of garments sample in the

international RMG business
In the apparel supply chain, apparel buyers need to ensure that the products they are
sourcing from their supplier across the world meet their designs, construction,
material quality and fit requirement. To ensure the finished product quality, buyers
keep in close contact with their suppliers and in every stage from sampling to
shipment they inspect the garment for a given order.

Types of Sampling in garment exports and its importance

Sampling of garments is given great emphasis. It determines the approval of future orders
from buyers and fetches business for a garment manufacturing or export company. Sampling
is one of key elements of the pre-production processes in a garment industry. Before a
manufacturer produces bulk orders, a prior sampling of styles is done to get approvals and
jumpstart the fabrication of garments.

Sampling is not just for buyers, but the manufacturers can also derive estimates of yarn
consumption for development of fabric, dyeing, printing, and stitching cost for a particular
style or pattern given by the buyer. Companies can have a separate sampling department or a
merchandiser, who works closely with the sampling section to source raw materials, and
processes for developing a quality product for an affordable price.

Sampling includes details like a product/style code or a reference number, color

specifications, kind of fabric, composition, description, quantity, and details of embroidery,
buttons, zippers, or any other sort of accessories used. Hence it can be said that samples of
garments work as a bridge between buyers and the producers.

There are many people who are involved directly and indirectly in the process of sampling.
Designers, buyers, individuals engaged in sourcing and purchasing, production team, quality
control personnel, and the costing department at different levels work closely on the sampling
of garments.

There are various types of samples that are developed by manufacturers depending on the
requirement of their respective buyers. The following is a list of different kinds of samples
used in the garment export industry:

Promotional samples or salesmen samples are developed to procure orders from retailers.
These are good quality samples, which use actual accessories and fabrics. The buyer has to
pay for these kinds of samples.
Proto samples are made after receiving the order sheets, and are the very initial sets of
samples sent to the buyer. The design and style of a garment are communicated; the fit and
fabric detailing are not given so much attention. Once the proto samples are approved, fit
samples are developed.

Fit samples are designed to check the measurements, fit, and the style. Details of construction
of the garment and standards needed to be maintained by the manufacturer are maintained in
these samples. Certain times these samples are tried on models to check the fitting and the
fall of the garment.

Size samples are sent to the buyers once the fitting is approved in small, medium, large and
other sizes as per the requirement. Mass cutting of fabrics begins only once a final approval
of all the sizes is received.

Pre-production samples are the samples, which are made in the production department once
all the above sampling approvals are received. They are made with the actual fabrics,
trimmings, and accessories that will be used in the future placed order. After a full and final
approval is received from the buyer, the actual production can proceed.

Top of production samples are the samples that are picked up in between, once the
manufacturing process has begun. All buyers do not demand for top of production samples,
but some do, to make sure that the garments being manufactured are as per the decided
specifications.
Shipment samples are sent to the buyer when the completed garments are packed and are
ready to be shipped. These samples are sent in cases when the garments are directly delivered
at stores or warehouses of the buyers, to view the final product and its packaging.

Sampling plays a vital role in getting orders from the buyer. It is a representation of the
manufacturer's or exporter's potential to deliver desired outputs based on the details and
information specified by the buyer. Besides this, sampling also gives an idea regarding the
time and cost that the manufacturer of the garments will require completing the whole order,
and delivering the products in time.

A sample of a garment can either make or break the future of getting orders from buyers. A
good quality sample can invite more business and buyers to manufacture garments. It also
gives the manufacturer the opportunity to look for options to source fabrics, trims, and other
garment accessories necessary for the design at a cheaper price but of better quality, which
further helps in costing. It helps in optimizing the process parameter for mass producing and
also can aid in eliminating bottlenecks.

On the other hand, buyers can keep a check on the production of garments, the designs, and
styles that are required, which are generally outsourced to manufacturers situated at a far
distance. Holding a physical sample of a garment helps the buyer check the look, feel, fall,
colors and shades, fitting, and the pattern of a certain style. It can therefore be concluded that
sampling in garment exports is of utmost significance not just to the manufacturer but also to
the buyer.
IMPORTANCE OF FASHION IN SAMPLING FOR RMG BUSINESS

Fashion is defined well as the prevailing mode or shape of dress designed by those lead is
accepted. In any given period, fashion reflects the social, economic and cultural forces. Our
ancient civilization identified status or power with visual elements like clothes,
embellishments, and head gear, worn by the kings, ministers, priests or warriors. A fashion  
remains popular for a few months or years before being replaced by yet another fashion. A
product or activity is in fashion or is fashionable during the period of time that a large
segment of society accepts it. After a time, however the same product or activity becomes
old- fashioned when majority of the people no longer accept it.

IMPORTANCE AND NEED OF SAMPLING IN GARMENTS INDUSTRY

Sampling is the best way to place an order. Though it is a difficult and time ending process it
will help the exporter to get the order from the buyer. The purpose of sampling is not only to
get bulk order and also it gives some additional benefits to the exporters. By doing sampling
the exporter can estimate the yarn consumption for developing the fabric, a clear idea on
costing and manufacturing difficulties. Besides by doing sampling the exporter can optimize
the processing parameters for mass production, which helps to avoid all kinds of bottle necks.
The samples, decide the ability of an exporter. The buyers will assess the exporter and his
organization only by the samples. If the samples are of good quality and with reasonable
price naturally the buyers will be forced to place the order so it is essential that the samples
should be innovative and with optimum quality.

THE END