OEM · Bag Encyclopedia
Bag Sampling Timeline
New brands almost always underestimate sampling. Here's the realistic schedule from a signed tech pack to an approved pre-production sample, and where the weeks quietly disappear.
Total
6-10 wk
Tech pack to PP
Digital mock
3-5 d
3D render
First proto
10-14 d
Sew room
PP sample
10-14 d
Production materials
The five sampling stages
- Stage 1 — Digital mock (3-5 days). A 3D render of the bag from the tech pack, in your fabric and hardware colours. Cheap, fast, catches proportion errors before any fabric is cut.
- Stage 2 — First proto (10-14 days). Physical sample in nearest-available fabric and stock hardware. Catches construction and fit issues.
- Stage 3 — Revision proto(s) (10-14 days each). Usually 1-2 rounds to correct fit, pocket dimensions, strap length, hardware position.
- Stage 4 — PP (pre-production) sample (10-14 days). Built in production-intent fabric, hardware, decoration and factory line. This is the sample bulk is measured against.
- Stage 5 — TOP (top-of-production) sample (during bulk). First bag off the bulk line, verified against PP before the rest of the line runs.
What runs in parallel
- Fabric sourcing — mill quotation, lab dip, bulk dye lot. Usually 3-5 weeks in parallel with the first proto.
- Hardware sourcing — YKK / branded lead time is 2-4 weeks; stock generic is off the shelf.
- Decoration development — sublimation, embroidery digitisation, screen print separations, PVC/silicone patch tooling.
- Labels and hangtags — separate supplier, 2-3 weeks lead time.
- Packaging — polybag, gift box, master carton print, 3-4 weeks.
Where the schedule breaks
- Incomplete tech pack — missing measurements, no material spec, no hardware callout. Factory guesses, sample fails, restart.
- Slow feedback — sample sits in customer's hands for two weeks between revisions. Compresses factory schedule, quality suffers.
- Late lab dip approval — bulk dye lot delayed until colour is signed. Adds 2-3 weeks.
- Hardware not stocked — waiting on branded ITW/Duraflex order can add 4 weeks.
- Custom moulded parts — tooling itself is 3-4 weeks before the first shot even exists.
How to compress the timeline
- Accept a 3D digital mock for the first pass — saves 10-14 days.
- Send a complete tech pack — pattern, materials, hardware, decoration, labels, packaging, all Pantone-referenced.
- Turn samples around in 48 hours with structured, marked-up feedback.
- Use stock hardware and stock fabric colours for the launch — remove sourcing lead time entirely.
- Approve lab dips against Pantone under D65, not on a phone screen — one round instead of three.
Start sampling
Send us a tech pack or a reference image and target price. We'll come back with a written sampling schedule, list of parallel-track sourcing tasks, and a realistic date for your PP sample.