중국 속옷 공장에서 샘플을 주문하는 방법

Ordering a sample from a China lingerie factory is the most important step between a product idea and a production commitment. Done well, it protects you from costly mistakes. Done poorly, it wastes time, money, and goodwill on both sides. This guide walks through the full process: what to prepare, what to expect, and what to watch for at each stage.

Why Sampling Matters More Than You Think

A sample is not just a prototype to check the look of a product. It is a technical test of whether a factory can execute your requirements — the fit, the construction, the fabric hand feel, the color accuracy, the labeling, and the finishing. Buyers who skip or rush sampling consistently face problems in bulk production that could have been caught and corrected at a fraction of the cost during the sample stage.

For lingerie specifically, sampling is even more critical than in many other garment categories. Fit variation in bras and underwear is highly sensitive. A 5mm difference in underwire length or a slightly different foam density produces a noticeably different product. These details cannot be assessed from a photo or a spec sheet — they can only be evaluated with a physical sample in hand.

Types of Samples in Lingerie Manufacturing

Not all samples serve the same purpose. Understanding the different sample types helps you communicate clearly with your factory and set realistic expectations for each stage.

Sample Type	Purpose	Typical Cost
Proto sample	First physical interpretation of your design. Tests construction and general silhouette. Usually made in available fabric, not final materials.	Free – $30 per piece
Fit sample	Made in correct or close fabric to evaluate fit across sizes. May go through 2–3 rounds of revision.	$20 – $60 per piece
Salesman sample (SMS)	Represents the final product as it will be sold. Correct fabric, color, trim, and packaging. Used for sales presentations and buyer approval.	$30 – $80 per piece
Pre-production sample (PPS)	Final confirmation before bulk production starts. Factory produces this from the actual production materials and sends it for approval.	Often included in bulk order cost

For most new brand owners sourcing from China, the process typically runs: proto or fit sample → revision rounds → salesman sample approval → bulk production.

What You Need to Prepare Before Requesting a Sample

The quality of what you send to a factory directly determines the quality of what comes back. A vague brief produces a guessed interpretation. A clear brief produces an accurate sample.

Tech pack or design brief

A tech pack is a document that specifies every detail of your product: measurements, construction methods, fabric specifications, trim details, labeling requirements, and packaging instructions. If you do not have a formal tech pack, at minimum prepare:

• Front and back sketches or reference photos
• Target measurements for your primary size (e.g., 75B or Medium)
• Fabric description (e.g., 90% nylon 10% spandex, 180gsm, matte finish)
• Color references (Pantone codes preferred, or physical swatches)
• Any specific construction requirements (underwire type, padding thickness, closure style)

Size to sample in

Factories typically sample in one size for initial rounds. Choose your primary fit size — the size you know best and can evaluate most accurately. For bras, this is often a 75B or 80B in European sizing, or a 34B in US sizing. For panties and seamless styles, a Medium is standard.

Reference samples or inspiration pieces

If you have a physical garment that represents the fit, construction, or fabric feel you are aiming for, send it with your brief. A reference garment communicates more precisely than any written description and dramatically reduces the number of revision rounds required.

Sample Costs and How They Work

Sample fees vary by factory and product complexity. Most China lingerie factories charge for samples, which is standard practice. Here is what to expect:

• ODM samples (from the factory’s existing range) are often free or low-cost because no new development is required. The factory may ask you to pay shipping only.
• OEM samples (developed from your design) involve labor, materials, and pattern-making time. Costs typically range from $20 to $80 per piece depending on complexity.
• Sample fees are often credited against your first bulk order once you confirm production. Always ask about this before paying.

Be cautious of factories that offer completely free OEM samples with no conditions. The cost of sample development is real, and factories that absorb it entirely either build it into higher bulk pricing or cut corners in the sample to reduce their exposure.

Lead Time for Samples

Sample lead times in China typically run:

• ODM samples: 5 – 10 business days after order confirmation
• OEM proto or fit samples: 10 – 20 business days depending on material availability
• Pre-production samples: 7 – 14 business days before bulk production

These timelines can extend significantly if the factory needs to source special materials or if revisions require multiple rounds. Build buffer time into your project plan, especially if you have a hard launch deadline.

How to Evaluate a Sample When It Arrives

When your sample arrives, evaluate it systematically rather than reacting to overall impressions. Check each of the following:

• Measurements: Compare actual measurements against your spec sheet. Note every deviation, however small.
• Fit: Try the sample on a fit model or dress form. For bras, check band snugness, cup coverage, underwire placement, and strap behavior.
• 구조: Is the hand feel, stretch, and recovery what you specified? Does the color match your reference?
• Construction: Check seam finishing, stitching consistency, underwire casing, padding alignment, and hook-and-eye attachment.
• Labeling and trim: Are care labels, size labels, and any branding elements correctly placed and executed?

Document every issue with photos and measurements. Send a single consolidated feedback document rather than comments spread across multiple messages. Clear, organized feedback produces faster and more accurate revisions.

How TELIGE Handles the Sampling Process

At TELIGE, ODM samples from our existing range can typically be dispatched within 7 business days. For OEM development orders, we work from your tech pack or design brief and provide a first sample within 10 to 15 business days depending on material availability.

Sample fees for OEM development are charged at cost and credited in full against your first bulk order. We provide consolidated revision feedback forms to help buyers communicate changes efficiently and reduce the number of rounds required before approval.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending an incomplete brief. Missing specifications lead to guessed interpretations. Always provide fabric, color, measurements, and construction details upfront.
• Approving a sample that is “close enough.” Issues visible in a sample will be amplified in bulk production. If something is wrong, revise it before approving.
• Skipping the pre-production sample. The PPS confirms that bulk production materials match what you approved. Skipping it removes your last checkpoint before hundreds or thousands of units are produced.
• Rushing the process. Sample development takes time. Pressure to accelerate often leads to corners being cut, which creates larger problems later.

Ready to Start?

Sampling is the lowest-risk way to evaluate a factory’s capabilities before committing to bulk production. If you have a design brief or want to evaluate styles from our existing range, contact TELIGE to discuss your sample requirements. We will confirm lead times, costs, and the information we need from you to get started.