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From design brief to approved sample

Swimwear sampling.
Develop the details.

Our swimwear sampling starts with your design. We confirm fabric and components with you, agree the sample quote, and begin pattern making after payment. We then check fit, make adjustments and send the sample after your confirmation.

Discuss your sample What to prepare

Sample-making time: 10–15 days.
The exact schedule depends on style complexity. Courier transit is separate.

Two finished bikini samples laid out flat, a red gingham halter set and a yellow floral set with striped bindingYour design.
A sample to refine.Development samples / ready for review
The development starting point

A clear brief.
Fewer open questions.

You do not need every answer at the first enquiry. Separate confirmed details from the decisions you would like us to help develop.

01 / DESIGN

Design references

Send a tech pack, annotated sketches or clear front and back images. Describe the shape, coverage and details that define the style.

Mark what must stay and what can be adapted.

02 / FIT

Base size & fit direction

Provide the sample size, size chart and intended fit. Include measurements and feedback from an existing garment where available.

Identify your intended fit model or body reference.

03 / MATERIALS

Fabric, lining & components

Share fabric references, swatches or a material direction, together with lining, elastic, cups, straps and hardware requirements.

Flag substitutions that need your approval.

04 / SURFACE

Colour & print artwork

Include colour references, artwork and intended placement. For engineered prints, identify scale, repeat and panel positioning.

State whether artwork is final or still being developed.

05 / BRANDING

Labels & finishing

Include logo files, label placement and the finishing details relevant to the sample. Distinguish development needs from final branded components.

For private label details, share artwork and placement early.

06 / ORDER CONTEXT

Collection & target dates

Outline the styles, expected bulk quantities and intended market. Tell us when you need to review the sample and your target launch date.

Include target cost and any required product testing.

If your starting point needs more design support, the OEM & ODM approach helps define who develops each part of the product.

Sampling costs & timing

Confirm the quote.
Pay before pattern making.

We confirm fabric and components with you before finalising the sample quote. Once you approve the quote and pay the sample fee, we begin pattern making and sample development.

Development work

Confirm whether the quote covers pattern making, sample sewing and the agreed number of styles, sizes and pieces.

Materials & components

Identify fabric sourcing, special trims, printing, artwork preparation and any minimum purchase requirements.

Revisions & extras

Confirm what is included in the quoted scope and how additional samples, design changes or material changes will be charged.

Delivery & payment

Sample payment is required before pattern making begins. Confirm courier charges and delivery details; we arrange dispatch after you confirm the sample.

Typical sample-making time: 10–15 days. The time required varies with style complexity. We confirm the project schedule when the materials, sample scope and payment are settled, and discuss any timing changes if the design or revision scope changes. Courier transit is separate from sample-making time. Any sample-fee credit against a bulk order must be stated in the quotation.

After sample payment · Pattern making & first sample

Translate the design.
Build the first reference.

After the fabric, components and sample quote are confirmed and payment is received, we begin pattern making. The pattern translates your design into panels, taking the selected fabric’s stretch and recovery into account.

The first development sample is a way to assess those decisions together. It may reveal changes that are difficult to judge from a drawing alone.

  • Confirm the working referenceIdentify the design version, base size, fabric direction and construction details before making the sample.
  • Record temporary substitutionsIf a colour, fabric or component is temporary, state what it can demonstrate and what still needs review.
  • Keep sizing scope explicitA sample in one base size does not confirm the fit of every size. Agree grading and any additional size samples separately.
Close-up of the needle and presser foot on a sewing machine with hands guiding fabricShape. Panels. Construction.Construction / seams set at the sample stage
Fit review & sample revisions

Review the garment.
Make feedback usable.

Before dispatch, we check fit against the agreed size and body reference, review the sample details with you and make the necessary adjustments. We ask for your confirmation before sending the sample. If a further fit review is needed after receipt, share consolidated comments against the same sample version.

Illustrative revision note

Style SW-01 · Sample V1 · Base size M
Issue: back coverage feels lower than intended.
Reference: annotated back-view photo.
Request: review the back shape against the marked coverage line; confirm the pattern change before Sample V2.

What to confirm during the sample review
Identify Style code, sample version, size and the date of review.
Measure Record actual garment measurements using the agreed method. Mark the measurement points on a diagram where needed.
Assess fit Note coverage, support, strap tension, neckline, leg openings and movement. Include model measurements relevant to the fit review.
Show the issue Use annotated front, back and detail photos. Distinguish a fit problem from a requested design change.
Set priorities Combine comments from your team into one list. Mark required changes and details that are already approved.

Use agreed measurement methods and tolerances when reviewing dimensions. The applicable limits depend on the measurement point, fabric and construction.

Swimwear sample worn on a body, showing neckline, strap tension and front coverageReview the fit.Fit review / garment on the agreed body reference
Chain-link halter bikini as line art beside the same style rendered in a pink and blue gradient colourwayRecord each revision.Revision reference / line art to colourway
The revision cycle

One version.
One clear change list.

A correction, a new fabric and a redesigned silhouette can require different work. Agree the revision scope before the next sample is made.

01 / CONSOLIDATE

Review before dispatch

We review the sample with you before shipment. Combine fit, construction and appearance comments into one list, identifying what to keep and what needs adjustment.

Output: a dated, annotated comment sheet.

02 / REVIEW

Agree the next work

Review the requested changes and any effect on pattern, materials, charges or timing. Confirm whether another physical sample is needed.

Output: an agreed revision scope and schedule.

03 / RECHECK

Verify the changes

Review the revised sample against the previous comments and check whether changes affect other parts of the garment. Record unresolved points.

Output: customer confirmation before shipment, or a clearly defined next revision.

Customer confirmation & sample dispatch

Confirm what is approved.
Then arrange shipment.

After the fit check and agreed adjustments, confirm the sample in writing against its style, version and specifications. We arrange shipment after receiving your confirmation and agreeing the delivery details.

The approved reference supports bulk production, together with the confirmed order details. If the development sample uses substitute materials, agree what final checks or further samples are needed before production release.

Approving a development sample is not automatically an instruction to start bulk production. The production reference, order terms and release conditions need separate confirmation.

Your sample approval checklist

0 of 6 review items checked.

Personal review aid only. Selections are not sent, saved or treated as formal sample approval.

Keep the reference together

Identify the retained sample, latest specification, revision record and written approval. Use matching style and version references across the documents.

Define approval conditions

State whether approval is final or limited to particular features. List outstanding colour, component, size or test approvals and agree how they will be closed.

Before your first sample

Sampling questions,
answered clearly.

Confirm the project-specific terms in your development brief and quotation.

Can we start without a complete tech pack?

Yes, share the sketches, images or garment references you have, together with your fit and material direction. We can review the missing information and agree the development support needed before quoting the work.

Can you work from an existing garment?

Share photos and explain which fit or construction details you want to use as a reference. Confirm the measurements, materials and any intended changes. A reference garment alone may not specify the full development brief.

How long does swimwear sampling take?

Sample making typically takes 10–15 days, depending on the complexity of the style. We confirm the schedule for your project once the materials, quotation and payment are settled. Changes to the agreed scope may affect timing. Courier transit is separate.

When do you start pattern making?

We first review your design, confirm fabric and components with you, and agree the sample quotation. Pattern making starts after the sample fee has been paid.

When will you send the sample?

We check fit, make the agreed adjustments and ask for your confirmation before dispatch. Once you confirm the sample and delivery details, we arrange shipment.

How many revision rounds are included?

The included scope should be stated in the sample quotation. Confirm the number of sample pieces or rounds, what counts as a revision and how new design requests or additional rounds are priced.

Can the first sample use a different fabric or colour?

Where a temporary substitution is agreed, record it clearly. Colour alone may be reviewed separately, while a change in fabric can affect fit and construction. Do not assume a substitute-material sample confirms the final garment.

How do we approve the sample?

Before shipment, confirm the style, sample version, fit, materials and agreed changes in writing. We arrange dispatch after your confirmation. Any later approval of a bulk-production reference is recorded separately.

Does sample approval cover every size?

A base-size sample confirms that reference size only. Agree the size chart, grading and any size-set or additional fit samples needed for your range.

Are sample fees refundable or credited to bulk orders?

Confirm this in the written quotation. A credit is not automatic; any eligibility, amount and bulk-order conditions should be agreed before payment.

Start your project

Let’s Discuss Your
Swimwear Project

Share your designs, quantities and project requirements. We’ll help clarify the next steps.

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