Put the sample on before you judge it. A sock can look perfect flat on a table and still have a heel that sits too low, a toe seam you can feel or a cuff that slips, and you only find those by wearing it for an hour or two.
This sock sample quality check covers the six things to look at, roughly in the order you will notice them: the knitted design, the heel, the toe, the stretch, the sole and the size. It ends with the packaging and how to send feedback so the next step is quick.
The knitted logo or pattern
We brand socks by knitting your logo or pattern into the fabric with jacquard knitting. Check it first, flat and then stretched on the foot.
- Colours. Compare each yarn colour with your reference in daylight.
- Shape. Bold shapes should read clearly. Edges on a knitted design are slightly stepped, which is normal for knitting, but the overall shape should be recognisable at a glance.
- Position and size. Is the logo where you asked for it, on the cuff, the outer leg or the foot? Measure from the top of the cuff.
- Stretch on the foot. A knitted design widens when worn. Look at it on the foot, not only flat.
- Inside the sock. Jacquard knitting carries yarn across the inside of the design. Check it lies flat and does not snag on toes.
If fine detail has blurred, that is often the artwork rather than the knit. Fine lines, small text and gradients do not knit well; simplifying the design usually fixes it on the next sample.
Heel and toe
These are the two parts of a sock that people feel most.
Heel
The heel pocket should sit on your heel, not above or below it. When you stand, the sock should not twist round the foot or form a fold at the back of the ankle. Pull the sock up and walk around; the heel should stay where it started.
Toe seam
Turn the sock inside out and look at the toe closure. It should be straight, even and flat. Then turn it back and wear it in a shoe. A toe seam that sits flat across the top of the toes is comfortable; one that is bulky or sits in the wrong place can rub. Tell us exactly what you feel and where.
Stretch, cuff and recovery
Socks need to stretch on and come back to shape.
- Pull-on. The sock should go on without straining the knit.
- Cuff grip. The cuff should hold the sock up without leaving a deep mark on the leg.
- Recovery. Stretch the leg gently and let go. It should return close to its original width.
- After washing. Wash and dry the sample as your buyers would, then check shape, colour and size again. Polyester blend tends to keep its shape and strong colours through washing; cotton blend feels soft and familiar.
Sole, arch and length
What to check here depends on the style.
| Style | What to check |
|---|---|
| Crew | Length reaches the lower calf; logo shows above the shoe |
| Ankle | Sits where you expect at the ankle; does not slide down into the shoe |
| Sports | Terry-loop sole feels even underfoot; ribbed arch band holds without being tight |
| Custom pattern | Pattern lines up from front to back; colours stay clear across the whole sock |
For sports socks, wear them in trainers for an active session if you can. Describe the feel, how they sit and whether anything moves, rather than how they perform.
Size and packaging
We knit socks in two shoe-size ranges, UK 4–7 and UK 8–11. If you can, try the sample on feet at both ends of its range. A sock that fits a UK 4 and a UK 7 well will suit most buyers in that range.
Then check the finishing:
- Header card, band, tag or box. Correct artwork, colours and text.
- Size and barcode stickers. Correct size range and barcode, in the right place.
- Fibre and care wording. Matches the yarn blend and the wording you sent for your destination country.
- Pairing. Both socks in a pair match in size, colour and logo position.
Our guide to ordering white label socks explains where the sample sits in the order process and how a second sample round works.
Sending feedback
Clear feedback saves a round.
- Number each point and add a photo.
- Give measurements where you can, such as logo height or position from the cuff.
- Say what you want instead, not only what is wrong.
- Mark which points need a second sample and which you will approve with a written change.
Once the sample is approved, an advance starts production. Our quality check in bulk compares the socks against the approved sample before dispatch.
To request a sample, choose a style on our white label socks page and send the yarn blend, colours, size split, artwork and packing you want.