Sampling: From Reference Image to Golden Sample
Sampling is where a custom bag project either finds its footing or collects expensive surprises later. This guide walks through the full sampling journey — what happens at each step, what it costs, and what the golden sample locks in.
The journey, step by step
- Brief and feasibility — you send a reference image, sketch, existing sample or tech pack. We confirm the construction is producible and flag any material or logo risks before money moves.
- Quotation — sampling cost, unit price and lead time, confirmed on the proforma invoice. Fast quotation, with final figures on the PI.
- First sample — produced in 5–7 days after design confirmation.
- Revisions — comments go back to the workshop; revised samples until the bag is right.
- Golden sample — the approved reference everything is checked against.
- Pre-production check — bulk materials, colors, logo and packaging are verified against the golden sample before the line starts.
What sampling costs
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sample fee | US$15–20 per style | Refunded on bulk orders of 500 pieces or more |
| International courier | US$35–50 per shipment | DHL/FedEx door to door |
| Sampling time | 5–7 days | After design confirmation; excludes courier transit |
Revisions are quoted upfront if they involve new materials or tooling — no silent charges.
What the golden sample locks
The golden sample is not a courtesy — it is the contract the factory checks against. Once approved, it fixes:
- Material and lining, at production weight
- Color, matched to your reference on the actual fabric
- Dimensions and structure
- Logo method, position and size
- Packing specification
Every later step — pre-production check, inline checks, final QC — reads against this sample. If a bulk bag does not match it, that is a defect, not a surprise to negotiate.
What sampling does not do
- It does not compress bulk lead time: production still runs 25–40 days depending on quantity and construction.
- It does not cover different styles — each new style is its own sampling cycle.
What to send to start
A clear photo with target size is enough to start feasibility and quotation. Add material direction, logo artwork and estimated quantity (our export custom orders start at 500 pieces per style) and the first sample lands in 5–7 days from design confirmation.