Garment sampling process is a am important part of the apparel manufactring cycle. Delays in sampling and sample approvals impact the on-time shipment delivery. Secondly, when sampling process get delayed productivity of the sampling department gets reduced. To address this garment manufacturers must take certain actions to reduce he sample development time.
The question is - how to reduce the delay in garment sampling?
In this aricle, we will explore how an apparel merchandiser with the sampling team can address the delays. Though there are reasons for the delay in sampling, by taking action in top issues can reduce the sampling delay drastically. Here are the tips to be followed by apparel manufacturers, especially the team who are involved in sampling department:
1. Be proactive
Finish your backlogs, create capacity for fresh sampling, research for sourcing of sampling material. Even you can make a directory for all available material in the sampling store for fabrics, trims, threads, laces, beads etc that can be used for initial sampling. If you know your buyer better you can be prepared for the new season prior to getting sampling request.
2. Make Time and Action Calendar
Do planning for your sampling styles in detail. Prepare a detailed Time and Action calendar for scheduling and follow it. Note when to start a task and when to finish it. Mention name of the responsible person for the task. Follow task according to the plan. Chase the person until the task gets finished. If something is getting delayed create alarm and seek help from others. Work with the goal to meet the timeline for each task. No delay and no procrastination in task completion even you have enough time to submit your sample.
3. Work with a checklist
List down the complete sequence of jobs to be needed for sampling. Start finishing task one by one. It will more effective if you prepare two checklists, one for daily To Do list and second one for style wise checklist. Start work with daily to-do List and update style wise checklist. Following this method with you can keep track of all your styles.
4. Critical path management
Identify jobs those are not dependent on each other and start parallel processing (sourcing, pre-assembling). This will reduce your sampling time and you can work on multiple samples at a time.
5. Inventory check
Prior to handing over the work to sampling tailors, check everything is ready as per the required quality and quantity. This will help you to reduce forward and backward communication with the sampling team and material store. Secondly, sampling tailors will complete your samples at one go.
6. Quality at the First place
Approve quality and specification by yourself before proceeding for the next step. It will eliminate rework level. If you use material of alternative quality for time constraint, inform it to your buyer prior to using it in sample.
7. Be prepared with alternative
whenever developing samples like lap dips, print strike off, embroidery work or bead work make multiple options. By alternative, in case buyer rejects your first sample you can quickly send alternative one. By this way you can reduce lot of time required for re-development.
8. Don’t believe in Guesswork
Don’t do any task if you have confusion. Communicate with your seniors or contact immediately to buyer for clarification.
9. Update your knowledge
Technical knowledge about fabrics, current trends, and new development on your product line will give you additional advantages in quick start sampling.
10. Don't miss the deadline
Last but not the least, don’t miss any deadline in follow up and getting things done. Chase your suppliers, chase sourcing and sampling department constantly.
If the above tips worked to you in reducing sampling time, please don’t shy to share your experience with us.
Related Articles:
Modern Merchandising Strategies for Apparel Makers
Key Responsibility Areas of an Apparel Buying House Merchandise Manager
Updated on: January 16, 2026
Original posted: December 19, 2011