Check a swimwear sample on a person, wet and dry, and pay most attention to the elastic, the lining and the seams, because those are where swimsuits fail first. A careful swimwear quality check at the sample stage sets the standard for the bulk order, since the approved sample becomes the reference for our own check on every piece.
Below is the order we suggest working through, from the fabric in your hand to the fit in water.
Fabric and colour
Start with the sample in your hands, before anyone tries it on.
- Feel. Nylon-elastane should feel soft and smooth with a slight sheen. Polyester-elastane should feel slightly firmer with a more matte face. Compare with the fabric you chose.
- Stretch and recovery. Stretch a section gently and let go. It should return to shape at once, with no bagging.
- Colour. Look at it in daylight and under indoor light. Compare with any colour reference you sent.
- Surface. Check for snags, pulled threads, shading between panels and marks.
Light colours deserve extra care. Hold them up to the light to see how much shows through, and decide whether a lining is needed.
Inside the garment: lining, elastic and seams
Turn the sample inside out. Most problems that show after a few wears start here.
Lining
Swimsuits can be made with a lining, and where you agreed one, it should:
- cover the agreed area, front only or front and back
- lie flat with no twisting or pulling against the outer fabric
- be secured at the edges so it does not roll
Cup inserts
On styles built for them, inserts should sit in the right place, be the agreed shape and stay in their pockets. Check they lie flat after the swimsuit is folded.
Elastic
Elastic runs round the leg openings, the neckline, the armholes and the waist of bottoms and swim shorts. Check that:
- it is even all the way round, with no rippling or tight spots
- the stitching over it stretches with the fabric without cracking
- it lies flat when relaxed, rather than flaring
Seams and finishing
Swimwear seams must stretch. Pull each seam gently along its length:
| Area | What good looks like |
|---|---|
| Side and shoulder seams | Flat, even width, stretch without the thread cracking |
| Strap joins | Secure, with no puckering where strap meets body |
| Hems on rash guards and shorts | Even, flat, no twisting |
| Crotch seam | Smooth and secure, no bulky join |
| Thread ends | Trimmed, no loose threads |
| Waistband and drawcord on shorts | Even, cord moving freely if specified |
Fit, dry and wet
Now try the sample on a person in the size it was cut in.
Dry, check the shoulders and straps, the neckline, the leg openings, the length of the torso and, on rash guards and full-cover swimsuits, the sleeve and leg lengths. Ask the wearer to sit, bend and raise their arms. Nothing should dig in, slip or ride up.
Then, if you can, test it in water. Fabric can feel and behave differently when wet. Look for sagging at the seat or bust, straps loosening, and any change in how much shows through. Rinse in fresh water afterwards and dry flat, then check the shape again.
For full-cover swimsuits, also check that the arm and leg coverage stays in place during movement, which matters to modest-fashion buyers.
Labels and branding
Check every brand element against what you approved:
- inside printed or woven label, in the right place and comfortable on the skin
- wash-care label content and placement
- outside logo position, size and finish
- hang tag and how it is attached
- packaging, bag and stickers if they are on the sample
Labelling requirements vary by destination and are confirmed at quotation, so check the care label carries what you asked for.
Wear the sample with the hang tag removed and the label left in, the way a customer would. A label that feels fine in the hand can rub after an hour in water. If it does, switch to a printed label or move the woven label to a seam before bulk production.
When the bulk order arrives
Our quality check compares bulk pieces with the approved sample before packing. When your order arrives, do a short check of your own:
- count by style, colour and size against the packing list
- open a few pieces from each carton and compare them with the sample
- check sizes by measuring a few pieces against the chart
- check labels and tags on a handful of pieces
If something does not match, photograph it with the label visible and tell us the style, colour and size. A clear record makes it quick to resolve.
Request your sample
Choose a style from our white label swimwear range and tell us the fabric, colour, lining and branding you want. For the order steps around sampling, see swimwear minimum orders, samples and timelines. We make the sample, you check it against this list, and once you approve it, it is the standard for the whole order.