Sampling feels like an extra step when you're keen to move an order forward — but for anything beyond a standard catalogue reorder, it's the step that prevents an expensive bulk-production mistake.
When a sample is worth requesting
- A first order with a new supplier — you're confirming quality and consistency, not just the product.
- Any custom glaze colour, shape or branding — a photo brief and a physical sample can look different.
- Private label orders — logo placement and finish are easier to approve on a physical piece.
The typical sequence
- Specification confirmed — product, customization and quantity agreed.
- Sample produced against that specification.
- You review the sample — colour, finish, dimensions, branding.
- Approval (or a revision request) before bulk production is scheduled.
What to check when a sample arrives
Compare it directly against your brief — colour under natural light, glaze consistency, weight and dimensions if those were specified, and branding placement if applicable. It's easier to catch a mismatch at sample stage than after a full production run.
Cost and lead time
Both vary by product and the extent of customization, and are confirmed as part of your quotation — there isn't a single sitewide number that applies to every product.