Supply Chain
A fashion business is its supply chain. We build it.
Quality Assurance
Quality is a process, not a promise. We install the process.
Factory & Manufacturing
Whether you build a factory or contract one, the question is the same: can it deliver at the standard you need.
Marketplace Onboarding
Myntra, Nykaa, Amazon, Flipkart, Ajio, Meesho — different platforms, different games. We play each one well.
Brand & Growth
Brand is what gets remembered when the discount is over. We build that.
Performance Marketing
Meta and Google done by people who actually know fashion. Through our partner agencies and sister companies.
Six places we work, drawn from how a fashion business actually runs.
Two productised pathways into the firm. Pick the one that matches what you want to own.
Term entry
Pre-Production Sample (PPS)
The final sample made with actual production fabric, trims, and construction methods before bulk manufacturing,costing $30-600 (₹2,730-54,600) per sample with 10-15% of production budgets spent on sampling, while 3D digital approaches reduce physical PP samples by 30-50% and cut costs up to 70%.
On This Page
What is Pre-Production Sample (PPS)?
A Pre-Production Sample (PPS) is the final sample produced before bulk manufacturing begins,the "Golden Sample" that serves as the quality reference for AQL inspections during production. Even experienced brands spend 10-15% of total budgets on sampling, with PP samples being the most expensive to produce due to small fabric quantities and custom dyeing. The Right First Time (RFT) target is 98% or above, making PPS approval essential to avoid costly production errors.
Why PP samples matter,the numbers:
- 10-15% of production budgets are consumed by sampling,PPS is the costliest stage
- Complete tech packs reduce sample rounds from 3.5 to 1.5 average,saving $1,000-4,000+ (₹91,000-364,000+) per style
- PP sample approval is mandatory before bulk production,the last quality checkpoint
- Major manufacturers reject 5-10% of fabric rolls during initial inspections
- 45% of apparel exporters use digital pattern-making to reduce sampling time by 18%
- 3D sampling reduces physical sample production by 50%
- Typical lead time: 8-14 weeks for standard orders, with PP sample approval critical in timeline
PPS costs by garment type (USD + ₹):
- Basic t-shirt/top: $30-80 (₹2,730-7,280)
- Dress: $80-200 (₹7,280-18,200)
- Pants/trousers: $60-150 (₹5,460-13,650)
- Jacket/outerwear: $150-400 (₹13,650-36,400)
- Complex technical garments: $200-600 (₹18,200-54,600)
- General rule: 2x-3x target production unit cost
PPS evaluation checklist:
- Fabric: Matches approved lab dip, hand feel, weight (GSM), and finish
- Colour: Within Delta E tolerance under D65, TL84, and Illuminant A lighting
- Construction: All seams, stitching (SPI), and finishes match spec,AQL 1.0, 2.5, or 4.0
- Measurements: Within tolerance (±0.25-0.5 inches / ±0.6-1.3 cm)
- Trims: Correct buttons, zippers, labels, hang tags,placement and quality verified
- Finishing: Pressing, folding, and packaging per retail specification
- Wash/care labels: Correct content, care instructions, and regulatory compliance
The sealed sample:
Once approved, one PPS becomes the "sealed sample",physically signed and mailed back to the factory as the reference for production. If bulk deviates from the sealed sample, buyers have use to demand remakes.
Why this matters for fashion entrepreneurs.
The PPS is your last safety net before committing $5,000-500,000+ (₹455,000-45,500,000+) to bulk production. Treat it with the seriousness it deserves,even experienced brands spend 10-15% of budgets on sampling.
Investment by brand stage (USD + ₹):
- Startup (1-5 styles): Budget $500-2,000 (₹45,500-182,000) for PP sampling including shipping. Always request PPS on production floor, not sample room
- Growing brand (10-30 styles): Budget $3,000-10,000 (₹273,000-910,000) per season. Invest in CLO3D ($25-50/month, ₹2,275-4,550/month) for virtual PP pre-approval before physical samples
- Established brand (50+ styles): Budget $10,000-30,000 (₹910,000-2,730,000) per season. Virtual-first approach reduces physical PP samples by 30-50%, saving $10,000+ (₹910,000+) per collection
Critical rules:
- Never skip PPS: Even for repeat orders,fabric lots, trims, and factory conditions change
- Inspect every detail: Check measurements (±0.25-0.5" tolerance), all trims, labels, packaging
- Compare to sealed sample: If repeat style, compare against previous approved sealed sample
- Check wash performance: Wash the PPS and check for shrinkage, colour loss, and shape retention
- Require production floor production: Sample room operators are more skilled,PPS from production floor gives realistic quality assessment
Common PPS issues globally:
- Fabric shade varies from lab dip (different dyeing lot)
- Incorrect label placement or content
- Trim substitutions without approval (factory uses "equivalent" without asking)
- Measurement drift from fit sample
- Finishing quality lower than sample room quality
- Regional labeling compliance issues (US FTC, EU CE, Japan JIS)
Digital PP approval,the hybrid model:
Virtual PP development using CLO3D, Browzwear ($8,000-10,000/year, ₹728,000-910,000/year), or Style3D enables detailed 3D review before physical production, reducing physical PP rounds by 30-50% and cutting 2-4 weeks and $200-800 (₹18,200-72,800) from development. The optimal workflow: extensive virtual approval, then single physical PP for final confirmation.
Where to source.
Global PP sample services by region (USD + ₹):
USA:
- $100-400 (₹9,100-36,400) per PP sample,higher cost but rapid 5-7 day domestic turnaround
- Nearshoring to Mexico/Central America for 2-3 week total PP cycles vs. 8-12 weeks from Asia
- Express courier: $10-30 (₹910-2,730) domestic shipping
UK/Europe:
- €80-350 ($86-378, ₹8,008-35,035) per PP sample
- Turkey emerging as rapid PP source: 7-15 day total lead time, 30% lower cost than Western Europe
- Brexit complexity requiring PP approval before cross-border production
- Luxury brands requiring extensive pre-production testing
Asia (China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam):
- China: $40-180 (₹3,640-16,380),fastest at 5-10 days customized production
- India: $35-150 (₹3,185-13,650),competitive with 7-14 day timelines
- Bangladesh/Vietnam: $30-130 (₹2,730-11,830),integrated supply chains reducing lead times by 30-40%
- Express courier (DHL/FedEx): $50-150 (₹4,550-13,650) per shipment
- Ocean freight: 25-35 days (some routes now 40+ days)
Japan:
- High-quality PP production with exacting standards
- Premium pricing reflecting precision manufacturing culture
- Domestic sampling enables rapid iteration for local brands
PPS best practices:
- Request PPS 2–3 weeks before planned production start date
- Specify production floor manufacturing (not sample room) for realistic quality
- Include one piece per colourway, request fabric yardage swatch alongside
- Verify all trim, label, and packaging specifications match approved standards
Red flags:
- Factory refuses or delays PPS,may not have production fabric ready
- PPS made with different fabric than specified,potential supply chain issue
- Multiple corrections at PPS stage,raises factory capability concerns
- Quality significantly different from earlier samples,sample room vs. production floor gap
What it costs.
PP sample costs by garment type (USD + ₹):
Per sample costs:
- Basic t-shirt/top: $30-80 (₹2,730-7,280)
- Dress: $80-200 (₹7,280-18,200)
- Pants/trousers: $60-150 (₹5,460-13,650)
- Jacket/outerwear: $150-400 (₹13,650-36,400)
- Complex technical garments: $200-600 (₹18,200-54,600)
Regional pricing comparison:
- USA: $100-400 (₹9,100-36,400),fastest domestic turnaround
- Europe: €80-350 ($86-378, ₹8,008-35,035)
- China: $40-180 (₹3,640-16,380),5-10 day production
- India: $35-150 (₹3,185-13,650),7-14 day timelines
- Bangladesh/Vietnam: $30-130 (₹2,730-11,830),most cost-effective
Shipping & logistics:
- Express courier (DHL/FedEx): $50-150 (₹4,550-13,650) per shipment
- Standard international: $25-75 (₹2,275-6,825) per shipment
- Ocean freight: 25-35 days Asia-USA, some routes now 40+ days
Total per-style PP investment:
- Single PP sample (no revisions): $100-400 (₹9,100-36,400)
- With 1-2 revision rounds: $250-1,000 (₹22,750-91,000)
- Complex multi-component styles: $500-2,000 (₹45,500-182,000)
Virtual PP alternative,cost savings:
- CLO3D: $25-50/month (₹2,275-4,550) personal, $600-1,200/year (₹54,600-109,200) professional
- Browzwear: $8,000-10,000/year (₹728,000-910,000) per workplace
- Virtual-first reduces physical PP samples by 30-50%, saving $10,000+ (₹910,000+) per collection
- Digital samples cut production costs by up to 70% and air freight by 40%
Frequently asked.
A PP sample is a prototype garment created after final design approval but before bulk manufacturing,the last quality control checkpoint. It verifies the supplier can execute all specifications (fabric, color, construction, trims, sizing) exactly as approved, serving as the "Golden Sample" for AQL inspections. PP sample approval is mandatory before bulk begins. Even experienced brands spend 10-15% of budgets on sampling, with PP samples being the most expensive due to small fabric quantities and custom dyeing. The RFT (Right First Time) target is 98% or above, making PP verification essential to avoid costly production errors.
Costs vary by complexity and region. Basic t-shirts: $30-80 (₹2,730-7,280), dresses: $80-200 (₹7,280-18,200), pants: $60-150 (₹5,460-13,650), jackets: $150-400 (₹13,650-36,400), complex garments: $200-600 (₹18,200-54,600). Regional pricing: USA $100-400 (₹9,100-36,400), Europe €80-350 (₹8,008-35,035), China $40-180 (₹3,640-16,380), India $35-150 (₹3,185-13,650), Bangladesh/Vietnam $30-130 (₹2,730-11,830). Including courier ($50-150, ₹4,550-13,650) and revisions, total per-style investment: $250-1,000 (₹22,750-91,000) standard, $500-2,000 (₹45,500-182,000) complex.
Typically 1-3 rounds depending on specification completeness and supplier capability. Brands with complete, accurate tech packs average 1.5 rounds vs. 3.5 for incomplete documentation,a $1,000-4,000+ (₹91,000-364,000+) per-style difference. Best practice: budget for 2-3 rounds to account for overseas communication gaps. Each round takes 2-6 weeks. Many experienced manufacturers achieve first-round approval when given full tech packs, approved lab dips, trim samples, and clear construction instructions. Virtual pre-approval using 3D tools reduces physical rounds by 30-50%.
Related Guides
Ready to build a fashion brand?
Terminology is the entry. The work is operating across supply chain, manufacturing, marketplace, and growth.