Check the fit on a real person, then the fabric, the seams and the labels, in that order. A women’s dress sample quality check that follows a fixed list takes less than an hour and catches almost everything that would otherwise surface after the bulk order lands.
The sample is your chance to agree what the bulk order will look like. Delivery is your chance to confirm it does. This post gives a checklist for both, for any style in our white label women’s tops, shirts and dresses range.
Before you start: set up the check
Have these to hand when the sample arrives:
- Our size chart for the style, and your own chart if you list different measurements.
- A tape measure.
- A person whose measurements match the sample size, ideally M.
- Your quotation, so you can confirm fabric, colour and branding against it.
- Good daylight, for checking colour.
Write down what you find as you go. Notes and photos make it easy to tell us exactly what to change.
Checking the sample
Fit and measurements
| Style | What to measure | What to look at on the body |
|---|---|---|
| Shirt | Bust, shoulder, sleeve, length | Shoulder seam on the shoulder point; buttons not pulling |
| Blouse | Bust, length, sleeve | Neckline sits evenly; no gaping at the front |
| Tunic | Bust, hip, length | Side slits fall cleanly; hem level all round |
| Casual dress | Bust, waist, hip, length | Waist sits where intended; length right for your audience |
| Skirt | Waist, hip, length | Waistband comfortable sitting down; closure lies flat |
Measure the sample flat and compare with the chart. Then put it on. A garment can match the chart and still feel wrong, for example if a dress length suits a taller audience than yours.
Fabric and colour
- Does the fabric match your approved swatch in weight and feel?
- Is the colour right in daylight, not only under indoor light?
- On pale fabrics, hold the sample to the light. Is it more sheer than you expected?
- For rayon and viscose, how does it drape once worn and moved in?
- For prints, is the pattern placed evenly across the front and does it line up reasonably at the seams?
Stitching and finish
- Seams are straight, with no loose threads or skipped stitches.
- Hems are even and the same depth all round.
- Buttons are secure and buttonholes are clean and open properly.
- Collars and cuffs on shirts sit flat and match left to right.
- Any closures on skirts and dresses open, close and lie flat.
- Inside seams are neatly finished, with no fraying edges.
- The garment has been pressed and has no marks.
Branding
- Neck label is the right type, straight and centred, and comfortable at the neck.
- Wash-care label is in the side seam with the wording you supplied.
- Embroidery or print is the right size, position and colour.
- Hang tag carries the correct details.
- The pack matches what you asked for.
If anything needs changing, tell us clearly, with photos and measurements. Changes agreed on the sample are carried into bulk production.
Wash the sample
Many buyers skip this, and it is worth doing. Wash the sample once following the care label you supplied. Then check:
- Has the length or width changed noticeably?
- Has the colour run or faded?
- Has the fabric softened, creased or lost its shape?
If the result is not what you want, the fix may be a change to the care instructions, a different quality of the same fabric, or a different fabric. Rayon and viscose in particular often need gentler care than cotton.
Checking the bulk delivery
Our quality check covers stitching and finish on each piece before it is labelled, tagged and packed. When the goods reach you, do your own check against the order and the approved sample.
Count first
| Check | Compare with |
|---|---|
| Total pieces per style | The quotation and invoice |
| Pieces per size | Your size split |
| Pieces per colour | The confirmed colour split |
| Cartons received | The packing list and shipping documents |
Then open a sample of packs
Open packs from several cartons and several sizes, not just the top of the first box. For each, compare against the approved sample: colour, fabric, measurements, labels, hang tag and packing. Check a few garments in each size against the chart, as grading issues show up in the larger and smaller sizes rather than in M.
If you find a problem, write it down with photos, carton numbers and the sizes involved, and contact us. Specific details help us look into it quickly.
Keep a reference
Keep the approved sample, labelled with the order date. It becomes the standard for every reorder, and it is far easier to compare a delivery with a physical sample than with a memory. Our post on ordering women’s tops and dresses covers how samples fit into the order steps.
When you send feedback on a sample, include the style name, size, photos and the measurements you took. We will confirm what can change before production starts.