Sep 17, 2026Sourcing Guide
Sample Cost, Lead Time & Payment Terms: Everything Before Your First PO
What does a sample really cost, how long does everything take, and when do you pay? A manufacturer publishes its actual numbers — sample fee, deduction rule, and first-PO timeline.
Before your first purchase order (PO), you want three numbers: what a sample costs, how long each step takes, and when money changes hands. Most suppliers hide behind "please contact us for details". We would rather publish our numbers and let you judge.
Here is everything that happens before your first bulk order — with real figures.
The sample: US$50, and what it buys you
Every custom style starts with a sample: US$50 per style.
That covers pattern making, cutting, and sewing — a real garment made one piece at a time, just for you, in our in-stock fabric and color.
Two rules, both in your favor:
- If you proceed to a bulk order, the $50 is deducted from it. The sample effectively becomes free.
- If you don't proceed, the fee is not refunded. The sample has already been made and shipped for you — that is real labor on our floor.
What we need from you to start: design sketches or reference photos, size range, and fabric preference. Sampling takes 7–10 days, then the sample ships to you by courier — typically US$40–100 depending on your country, quoted exactly before you pay.
The timeline from inquiry to bulk delivery
Step | How long | Who does the work |
|---|---|---|
Quote after your inquiry | Within 24 hours | Us |
Sampling | 7–10 days | Us |
Sample shipping to you | By courier — varies by country, quoted upfront | Courier |
Your review and feedback | Your pace | You |
Bulk production after approval | 20–30 days | Us |
Final QC + photos to you | Before shipping | Us |
Shipping to your door or port | By courier — confirmed with your quote | Courier / forwarder |
A realistic first order — from first message to goods in your hands — is four to six weeks of production (7–10 days sampling plus 20–30 days bulk), plus courier time to your country. Re-orders are faster on every step because the pattern and production setup already exist.
Payment: when and how
Everything runs on T/T (bank transfer):
- Sample fee: US$50, paid before we start your sample.
- Bulk order: 30% deposit by T/T to start production, 70% balance by T/T before shipment.
The exact schedule is always on your Proforma Invoice before you commit to anything. And one safety rule we follow too: payments go to our company bank account only, matching the contract — never a personal account.
What changes the numbers
- In-stock fabric: sampling is fast and the $50 stands. Newly sourced fabric adds mill lead time and a higher MOQ — we tell you both upfront, before you decide.
- Multiple colors in one style: whether you can split quantities across colors depends on fabric stock — send your plan and we confirm within a day.
- Re-orders: no new sample needed unless the design changes, and every step moves faster.
The bottom line
For US$50 and a few weeks, you find out exactly what a factory can do before committing serious money. That is the cheapest insurance in this industry.
Send your design to Request a Quote or WhatsApp — we will reply with a quote and a sampling plan within 24 hours.
