A sample is a single physical unit of a product we send you to inspect before you place a full order. Pictures are good; holding the actual item is better. For anything you have not ordered before — or any time the decoration is ambitious — request a sample first.
#Why samples are worth it
A sample lets you check the things that do not always come through on a screen:
- Fit and feel of the fabric
- Actual color in real light vs. how it renders on a monitor
- How a logo or design looks at the real size on the real product
- Weight, finish, and overall quality
- Whether the packaging matches your brand
A 30-second look at a physical sample has saved hundreds of orders from going sideways.
#How to request a sample
Reach out to your account team. Tell them:
- The product (a Product Catalog link or My Products name works)
- The variant you want — color, size, configuration
- Whether you need it plain (the blank product) or decorated (with your art applied)
- Where to ship it
- Your timeline — when you want it in hand
Plain samples are faster. Decorated samples take longer because we have to set up your art and run a single piece, but they are the most accurate preview of the finished product.
#What gets sent
Samples are typically:
- One unit of the product in the variant you specified
- Decorated with your design if requested, or plain if not
- Shipped to the address you give us
If you are weighing a few options, we can send a small set of samples side by side so you can compare in person.
#Lead time for samples
Plain samples usually ship within a few business days, depending on stock. Decorated samples take longer because they go through art setup and production — typically a week or two, sometimes more for complex decoration. Your account team will confirm a target date when you place the request.
#Cost
Sample costs depend on the product, the decoration, and the shipping speed you need. Some samples are complimentary; others have a fee. Your account team can confirm sample fees when you make the request.
#After the sample
Once you have looked at the sample and you are happy, give the green light and we move into the full run. If something is off — fit, color, decoration size — tell us. Adjustments now are faster and cheaper than fixes after a full production run. See Customization and decoration for what is adjustable.