I just finished writing an email to a belt manufacturer I use in China. We are having some minor difficulties with getting samples made through this particular company, which got me thinking and I decided that I would share some of the things I have learned about manufacturing sample products in Asia.
Getting sample products made before you produce any product in bulk is essential to ensure the desired product is of good quality and design. Once the sample is made you will be able to review pictures of it and point out any obvious revisions that need to be made. However, a picture of the sample is never sufficient and you should always have the sample sent to you for further review before you commit to anything.
A sample image sent to me from a manufacturer in China. After reviewing the picture always have the sample sent to you.
Also, when you manufacturer products overseas you may or may not have to pay a sample fee to your manufacturer. For instance, a few years ago when I first began sourcing products in China, I used a hat manufacturer to make sample Sand Shack hats and they didn’t charge my company a sample fee. However, this year I have paid $150 to both a belt manufacturer and a sandal manufacturer to produce samples of new products being developed for Sand Shack.
At the same time, these companies would gladly make free samples for a well-known brand, but as Sand Shack is relatively unknown, charging a sample fee shows them that I represent an authentic company that is not just having samples made for the hell of it. Also, I never have to pay for future samples from companies that I eventually end up producing products in bulk with. In other words, once the relationship between you and a manufacturer is established you should not have to pay sample fees.
But in reality, a sample fee is not really a fee because if you end up placing an order with the manufacturer the fee is refunded (applied towards later bill). So, in this case, if the manufacturer is good and you are committed to the eventual production of the desired product, don’t hesitate to pay a small sample fee. However, still be careful that you don’t pay too much for samples. I had a company ask for a $450 sample fee once (keep in mind we are making belts, flip flops, and other apparel here, nothing over the top). Following that request I set a rule for my company that we won’t pay more than $150 for samples, which I told this company and was able to pay the lesser amount. So, sample fees are negotiable.
Also, make sure you agree on how many samples they will be making for you and how many revisions they will entertain after you pay the fee.
I know the above information is unorganized and difficult to follow (this was a very spontaneous entry I decided to write) so here is a summary of this information in bullet points for you to reference.
Brianlinton.com’s 7-Points for Sample Sourcing
- A sample fee may or may not be required
- Sample fees are refundable – If you eventually use their company
- Sample fees are negotiable – Don’t pay too much for samples
- Make sure they understand what you expect from them after paying the fee, and have them agree to certain terms
- Once you establish a relationship with a manufacturer you should not need to pay sample fees
- You may revise samples through pictures, but never order products through images alone, always have the actual sample sent to you for a thorough review of quality and design
- You will have to pay for the sample’s shipment to you
If you have any questions about sourcing products and getting samples made bring them up in the comment section of this entry and I will be sure to address them. Also, if you have experience sourcing products I would be very interested to hear what you have done in regards to sample production.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
A few questions: what’s the quantity of a sample? Are there additional costs to the sampling fee? I know much of your experience is with China manufactures, what do you see as the benefits to China over India? There is much in the news nowadays about the shift from China to India because of China’s rise in wages and standards of living. I imagine there is also less of a language barrier with India’s manufactures then there would be with China’s manufacturers. What are your thoughts?
Mark,
The quantity of a sample varies. If you are making one style of a hat, the quantity would generally be one…. but if you are using the same factory to make 10 different hats, the quantity would be 10. Also, in most cases you may have to do 2 rounds of samples to get the product that you want. So in the first situation it would be 2 and the second it would be 20. That is why I recommend you clarify what you want with the manufacturer before you pay any sample fee. If you have 16 different designs, make sure they know you are going to want to see all 16 designs and not just 2 (which the belt manufacturer was trying to do to me).
Also, the benefits of China over India are dwindling, you are correct. However, China still has much more diverse amount of products they can make, and also, I believe they produce quicker than India. On a side note, I have just started using India to produce bags. The other thing that is creating is a shift away from China is the strengthening of the RMB and the weakening of the USD
And yes, Indians generally speak better and more English than the Chinese, but I still find Chinese made products easier to get and at better prices (for the time being). You can still produce ANYTHING in China (you can’t in India).
Interesting point about availability of products, that can definitely be a dealbreaker. How did you go about finding your manufacture in India?
As my network in India is small compared to China I turned to the wonderful world of the Internet and managed to find a company in Calcutta that makes organic canvas bags. I actually did not have to pay them a sample fee for over 25 bags they sent me. This was nice because receiving free samples is a good sign of the company and the legitimacy of their operations, especially when I was unfamiliar with production in India.
i will like to get some free sample product from any manufacturer on elctronic, thats my field
That’s great, contact a manufacturer with the idea of what you would like made and see if they can give you free products. Sometimes it is as simple as asking.
Hi Brian,
Thank you for you article, you mention valuable information that I have been looking for. I have been trying to get a boot sample for women’s footwear made. I have relatively no experience in the shoe industry and I have been struggling to get someone to commit to my project. Do you have any suggestions for this type of manufacturer and how to go about this?
Hi Lia,
We are working on a service that helps people like you find qualified manufactures for that type of project. I love entrepreneurs, and I especially love people in the same industry as myself…apparel and accessories! The good news is that you don’t need experience to make it happen. I just sent you an email, check it out and get back to me if you have a chance.
Hi Brian – Your website was god sent! I’m a new designer just setting out to design my first lot of Women’s fashion. I’m interested more in the manufacturers in India (as I’m planning to go there at the end of this year). Although, I would like to get this process of securing the manufacturer prior to going there bcs I will not have much time. I know you mentioned you worked with some folks down there. Any contact info would be greatly appreciated.
I have followed many of your steps for getting quotes, etc. Currently I only have sketches on paper and a few prototypes of the apparel. I would really like to receive a sample and a per/unit cost.
Also, you had mentioned that you will have an online book out soon. Where can I find the link?
Again, thank you so much for being such a great resource to so many of us.
Hi Sara!
Thanks for the kind words about my site! I love new designers with an entrepreneurial drive. I myself do a lot of manufacturing in India…I make my organic t-shirts and organic canvas bags there.
I’m currently working with my business partner on a new startup that we are launching soon that could definitely help you find some great manufacturers. If you don’t mind, I’m going to send you a quick email with some info now…
I have a product idea that may rethink the way hip-hop looks at footwear. I am interested in getting a couple of samples made for my idea in order to pitch to larger companies. Do you have any ideas on where I can get free or low-cost samples made? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Brian – Great article. Really helpful. We make most of our stuff in the UK (brave!) but I have been trying to source one fabric from China. I’ve found several manufacturers but every time I ask them to send me a sample they ask what my ‘express account’ is. It seems that it is some kind of DHL account or something. They seem unwilling to pop a small piece of fabric in the post. What are they talking about?! Thanks, Carrie.
hello
Ive been reading up on your site and wanted to pick your brain a bit. With sales in South Africa and the US – looking into manufacturers of clothing and MMA gear. Looking in china unless you recommend another territory. Any suggestions?
Hi Heather – China works well, however I am a fan of India manufacturing. Another option you should consider is US or South Africa (I don’t know anything about South Africa manufacturing though) manufacturing. We have been getting into that for many reasons and finding that with the rising cost of cotton around the world, local manufacturing is becoming more competitive.
Carrie – Sorry for the late reply! Yep, they are asking for you to pay for the shipping through an account such as FedEx, UPS, DHL etc… They are usually happy to provide samples for free, but won’t front the money for shipping it. I would go ahead and signup for an account with one of these shippers and use it with your manufacturers when you need to ship something small.
Robert,
Sorry for the late reply. Samples are a tough thing sometimes, as suppliers are happy to help you make them, but they also want to make sure that stick around and end up doing bulk production with them. Find a supplier on a site like alibaba, and then when you are communicating with them just be sure to talk long-term with them. Make them understand that you are looking to make samples so that you can approve all the features and then place a large order with them. Don’t be misleading, but just be sure you don’t make it seem like it is just the samples you are after. This will help you get low-cost samples.
Hi, I am have been looking for a resource such as yours forge longest. I’m hoping you can give me the push I need to move ahead. For about 13 months now I have an idea that came about after watching my fiance struggle to get our daughter to drink milk. My ides solves a problem and would like to know some of the steps to take to get it from just an idea into a product .
Thanks, Mike from mikegervis.com