Acknowledgement

First and foremost, we would like to thanks to our teacher of this assignment, Abdul Hai for
the valuable guidance and advice. He inspired us greatly to work in this assignment. His
willingness to motivate us contributed tremendously to our assignment. We also would like to
thank his for showing us some example that related to the topic of our assignment. We would
also like to thanks our honorable teachers for his encouragement and guidance to complete
this assignment. Also, we would like to take this opportunity to thanks to Activities and
Importance of sample room of an apparel Industry. Those gave us an opportunity to
participate and learn about the operation. Finally, an honorable mention goes to our families
and friends for their understandings and supports on us in completing this project. Without
helps of the particular that mentioned above, we would face many difficulties while doing
this.

Page 1 of 18

Index

Serial
no
01
02
03
04
05
06
07

08
09
10
11
12
13
14

Object

Page no

Introduction

03
04

Sample & Sample Room

The Sample Room Activities
Sample room Planning

04
05
05

General overview of Apparel

Industry Sample Section
The Sample Section Dilemma
06
Causes of Sample Section Dilemma
and its Impacts in the Apparel
Industry
5S- A Japanese Management
Philosophy

07

08

09
Assessment of sample
How far the Sample Section 10
Dilemmas were solved by 5S?
Briefs on different samples
11
IMPORTANCE OF FASHION IN
SAMPLING
ROLE OF MERCHANDISER IN
FULFILLING THE SAMPLING
Conclusion

13
14
15

Page 2 of 18

Introduction
Sampling is one of the main processes in garment manufacturing and it plays vital role in
attracting buyers and confirming the order, as the buyers generally places the order once
satisfied with the quality and responsiveness of the sampling. It is the most crucial and most
important stage of fashion merchandising. Sampling department makes samples on the basis
of the specification and requirement by the buyer. Sampling in merchandising may be defined
as "The concept, perception and ideas of fashion designer developed into product samples, in
systematic stages of product development, with technical and quality clarity in a
development." Though sampling is a difficult and time bound process, it will help the
exporter to get the order from the buyer.
Before placing any order to the factory, the buyer wants to know whether the factory is
capable of producing the styles with the desired quality levels or not. The samples decide the
ability of exporters to deal with any given style of garment. The buyer accesses the capability
of exporter only with the help of Samples. If the samples are of good quality naturally the
buyers will be willing to place the order to factory. Sampling also work as a bridge between
the productions and marketing department, hence it has the influence of both marketing as
well as production department. So it is essential that the samples should be innovative and
should be manufactured with optimum quality. Before confirming orders to the factory, the
buyer actually evaluates the skill of the factory to determine whether they will be able to meet
the desired standard. Even, it has been observed upon several occasions that, although factory
was very successful in providing quality samples within given time, the final output from the
production floor were not up to the satisfactory level. But in those cases, buyer did not bother
to give further more orders to the factory. Many factories were seen to get away with their
wonderful buyer feed-back approaches with good factory merchandising communications. In
this case the role of Sample Section is really very vital, because proper feed-back with buyer
is not really possible without the efficient cooperation of the Sample Section. That is why,
role of Sample Section is so important. Again, most of the times, it was found out that, not
exactly due to the workmanship of the Sample Section personnel, the sample has failed,
rather, the failure on most occasions are due to management issues1. Sample Section is a very
busy part of a garments factory. They require handling various types of samples on regular
basis. One sample section handles four to five buyers samples, each buyer works with 10-15
samples seasonally and each style has four to six varieties of samples to be dispatched to
buyer. This figure really indicates that, it is really a jam-packed section where there is very
limited time given by buyers for sample submission deadlines. Moreover, these samples with
adequate quality have to be dispatched within the deadline given by buyer; otherwise,
relationship with buyer will be at risk of deterioration. Therefore, the activities of the Sample
Section have to be handled and organized in a very efficient manner by wonderful
management techniques. The management has to initially find out the reasons, why they are
facing problems and after finding out, they need to give potential suggestive theoretical
solutions and then, they require implementing those. These steps will hopefully be able to
solve these sample section dilemma for the greater interest of the factory and the Apparel
Industry of our country.

Page 3 of 18

Sample
Sample is nothing but a representation by which a person can understand the production,
qualities, performance etc. Sample can ensure a buyer as well as to the customer about the pre
and post condition of the required product. It can lead the market and the business as well.
Sample Room
Sample room where design ideas are taken from drawing to tangible garment. This is such
kind of production room by which a sample can be made with full of accuracy, specification
and confirmation. In general the most experienced and well performer employee engaged in
the sample room section. So sample room is the most important section in the garments
industry. The sample room is filled with designers, pattern makers, quality controllers, fit
specialists, fabric specialists, sample pattern cutters, sample pressers and sample machinists
all experts in their specific area.
Sample cutters once the patterns are complete, they lay them out onto the desired fabric and
cut out the pieces required to complete a style. The fabric pieces are handed down to the
sample machinists who complete all sewing operations across a variety of sewing machines.
The Sample Room Activities
1. To make a proper sample.
2. To understand buyers requirement.
3. To fulfill the buyers requirement.
4. To utilizes the skill operation with skill operator.
5. To combine the overall performance of an order.
6. To give the confirmation to the buyer that the bulk production is going to be right.
7. To get understanding completely to the operators and management as well about the
production and manufacturing.
8. To confirm the measurement and fabric requirements.
9. To make perfection in the consumption.
10. To make the perfection in the pattern and marker.
Several of the terms used in sampling have meanings depending on whether wool or cotton,
yarn or fiber is being sampled. This is due to the different representative organizations which
have historically grown around each industry. The appropriate standard should always be
consulted.
Page 4 of 18

Consignment: This is the quantity of material delivered at the same time. Each
consignment may consist of one or several lots.

Test lot or batch: This consists of all the containers of a textile material of one
defined type and quality, delivered to one customer according to one dispatch note. This
material is presumed to be uniform so that this is the whole of the material whose properties
are to be characterized by one set of tests. It can be considered to be equivalent to the
statistical population.

Laboratory Sample: This is the material that will be used as a basis for carrying out
the measurement in the laboratory. This is derived by appropriate random sampling methods
from the test lot.

Test Specimen: This is the one that is actually used for individual measurement and is
derived from the laboratory sample. Normally, measurements are made from several test
specimens.

Package: Elementary units within each container in the consignment. They might be
bump top, hanks, bobbins, cones or other support on to which have been wound to top, sliver,
roving or yarn.

Container or case: A shipping unit identified on the dispatch note, usually a carton,
box, bale or other container which may or may not contain packages.
Sample room Planning
The planning section of the sample room is in charge of making the production plan for
sewing and cutting processes. The importance of making a production plan for the sample
room is to manage their sample producing process and the delivery of their goods in time to
the buyer. The difference between the bulk production plan and the sample production plan
is; that the sample room makes their production only for a day. But the bulk production plan
is for a month.
Pattern making process
The pattern maker in the sample room is given the tech pack and the SRF for his Pattern
making process. The pattern maker uses the Gerber CAD system with his pattern making
process. All the details need to create the patterns is included in the tech pack and there is
sketch or a photo of a garment where specifications are mentioned. He has to create these
patterns according to the buyer requested specifications.
Marker planning
The created pattern by the pattern maker is sent to the marker planner for marker drawing
process. The marker planner in the sample room has to prepare markers for costing and the
ordering only.
Cutting
There are no special markers for cut garment panels in the sample room. They dont consider
about the marker efficiency or fabric wastage of sample cutting as they produce garments in
small quantity. (Only one or two garments from one fabric layer, has one or two plies only).

Page 5 of 18

The sample room cutting equipments are deferent from the equipments in the cutting room
and they are not suitable to cut a layer with larger number of fabric plies.
Work-study
The work-study in the sample room is involved with trim YY calculating process and SMV
calculating process. The work-study officer has to calculate the trim YY of garment for
costing and the given consumption by the work-study officer is sent to the trim ordering also.
QC inspections
After the sewing process all the garments are sent to the QC table for quality inspecting. The
QC process in the sample room is done by according to the buyer wise. QCs are allocated
according to the buyer and they are specialized for their buyer. The inspection parameters of
the sample also vary according to its sample stage. The QC has to consider what purpose
these samples are sent the buyer and he has to pay his attention mostly on that purpose of
these samples
General overview of Apparel Industry Sample Section
This is a very important section of an Apparel Industry. The factory merchandising sections
depends a great deal on the Sample Section for smooth and proper buyer feed-back. Idea or
design of the buyer is needed to be displayed by means of sample submission. Quality and
timely sample submission develops wonderful relationship of buyer with the factory.
Successful negotiation of orders is possible due to successful approval of samples. Frequent
rejection of Samples, sometimes, causes cancellation of buyer orders or it negatively
influences buyer not to give future orders to that particular Vendor. This section of the
Apparel Manufacturing Industry is immensely work-loaded. Due to huge pressure of work, if
the management of this section is not very efficient, then a lot of mistakes may occur. These
mistakes of sample making may lead to compel the section to remake the particular sample
which will definitely increase the work-load many more. Faulty sample submission will ruin
the image of the factory to buyers point of view and delay in sample submission may
generate negative questions on the buyers mind about the professionalism of the factory3. So
these are highly required so that Sample Section may work in a better efficient methodology
with required discipline to maintain good factory image to buyer. Here, the work-load on the
sample section is really a major concerning cause. Various Samples are required to be
prepared in the Sample Section. Some of these are mentioned in figure-1.
The Sample Section Dilemma
Many potential reasons have been identified which are really causing problems in the Sample
Section Management. Some major problems like Weak File Management, Weak Inventory
Management, Problems Caused due to Dirty Sample Section, Presence of Less-skilled and
Inexperienced Personnel, etc. have been identified. These major causes are affecting the
sample section in a lot of ways4. If these problems of managerial issues are solved then the
Sample Section can really run very effectively. The reasons of sample section dilemma and
their impacts in the Apparel Industry are highlighted in table-1.
Development
Sample

White-Seal
Sample

Photo-shoot
Sample

Size-set
Sample

Fit Sample

Counter
Sample

Photo-shoot
Sample

Buying
Sample
Page 6 of 18

Black-Seal
Sample

Mock-up,
Sample

Pre-shipment

Marketing
Sample

Test Sample

Commercial
sample

Preproduction

Figure-1
Various Samples required preparing in the Sample Section
Causes of Sample Section Dilemma and its Impacts in the Apparel Industry
Causes
Weak File
Management

Weak
Inventory
Management

Dirty Sample
Section

Problems
Wrong information to Washing/
Printing/ Embroidery section
regarding Wash/ Printing/
Embroidery Standard.
Mistake in garment panel
measurement.
Failure in understanding priority of
which sample to be completed first.
Untimely follow-up of samples from
the Washing/Printing / Embroidery
section.
Made mistake by mixing-up fabric
(color /yarn count /pattern no.), and
trims and accessories like button
(size /color /shape), sewing thread
(color /ticket no.), etc. of one sample
with the other.
Wrong Tagging or Missing Counter
Sample
Health hazards to workers by in-take
of dust particles causing respiratory
problems.

Impacts
Failure of / Late in
Sample
Submission Deadline

Result
Buyers
Dissatisfaction

Sample Rejection

Buyers
Dissatisfaction
Buyers
Dissatisfaction

Failure of timely
Sample
Submission
Failure of Sample
Submission
Deadline
Sample Rejection /
submission
deadline Failure

Re-work of the whole

procedure of Sample
Approval
Workers illness
causing failure
of submission deadline

Buyers
Dissatisfaction
Unsatisfied
Buyer

Work-load of
Sample
Section
Buyers
Dissatisfaction

Page 7 of 18

Less-skilled
And
Inexperienced
Personnel

Workers injury due to Slippery

Floor by un-removed oil drops after
m/c maintenance.
Garment piece / cut panel suddenly
falls on the dirty floor containing oil
droplets or other dirty particles.
Machine accidents due to friction.

De-motivated worker

Technical problems like

mismatching of cut panel,
mismatched check / stripe, poor
seam assembly, etc.
Limitation in the Supervisory skill
of Sample Manager.

Sample Rejection /
Delay in
quality sample
submission
Delay in quality sample Work-load of
submission
Sample
Section

Failure of timely
Sample
Submission
De-motivated worker

Panic at work;
i.e. slow
working
Buyers
Dissatisfaction
Pile-up of
Unfinished
work
Unsatisfied
Buyer

Solutions to the Sample Section Dilemma

Observing the sample section dilemma, it was found that, the problems are occurring due to
the management problems and also due to improper house-keeping. In this point of view, the
Japanese Management Strategy, i.e. the 5S System, is really effective to minimize or
eradicate such problems we decided to implement 5S in the Sample Section in order to solve
the sample section dilemma.
5S- A Japanese Management Philosophy
5S is a Japanese Management Philosophy for safe Working Environment. It is a method for
organizing a workplace, especially a shared workplace (like a shop floor, an office space or a
factory production floor). The methodology originates from a Japanese housekeeping idea
named because of the five Japanese words each designing with a letter Se or Shi. They are
seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke6. The 5S system is a concept for enhancing the work
efficiency, environmental safety and standard process flow and implementing this innovative
method reduces wastage, which minimizes handling time and increases the profit of an
organization (figureStep 1:
Seiri: Seiri means sorting. That is, to s discard; sorting things into necessary and
unnecessary items Seiri can be applied to the Apparel Industry Sample Section in the
following means: i. Appoint experienced and skilled workers. ii. Appoint 1 cutting operator
per 1 or 2 buyers samples. Handle 4 to 6 buyers in 1 sample section. iii. Keep buyer-wise
separate storing arrangements which is to be divided into different segments for each styles.
iv. Every style storing arrangement shall have different chambers; e.g. for fabric, PDM file,
trims and accessories, counter sample, etc. v. Keep a common separate zone and tag it with
Miscellaneous zone and move all the items (deemed necessary) of past orders over there. vi.
Replace the old-style items from the cabinet with the current order. vii. Keep only active
machineries and remove all inactive and unnecessary machineries. viii. Follow proper
documentation. Remove all unnecessary documents. ix. Tag and label each and every section.

Page 8 of 18

Step 2:
Seiton: Seiton means systematic arrangement.T is, putting things in order and thus getting
organized. Here, organizing refers to the systematic arrangement of equipments, tools and
materials to provide workers with the most efficient access7. Seiton can be applied to the
Sample Section in the following ways:
i. Use wooden / Partex the circumference of the Sample Section and divide it into several
zones like: Urgent, Running the cutting tables (2 or 3) at the boundary portions of the sample
room. Keep adequate space for the movements of personnel. ii. Place eep ote every-day
follow-up Priority, Important, Less wise iii. Arrange the Sample Managers sitting
arrangement in such a way that, he/she may easily view all the working personnel. iv. Place
the Sewing machines, maintaining proper rows and columns with adequate space for all types
of worker movement. v. Make arrangement for at least 2 ironing operators to operate at the
same time. vi. Arrange for proper lighting and ventilation system in the sample room. vii. The
Team Leaders shall have individual note-books to note down their every jobs by making
segments like Top Priority Important, etc. viii. Every style-wise storing arrangement (like
drawer) may contain wooden chamber partitions.
Step 3:
Seiso: Seiso means shine / super clean. That is, to keep work areas clean. Seiso is a daily
activity for Japanese companies6,8. The work area is scoured at the end of each shift. This
assures us that regular cleaning and shining saves time in the long run. Seiso can be applied
to the Sample Section in the following ways: i. Assign individual cleaning responsibility. ii.
Assign one worker to monitor sample section cleanliness. iii. Keep the Sample Room neat
and clean. iv. Remove all the sticky-oil and oil-spots from the floor as well as from the m/c
surface. v. Keep the Sample Room dust-free. vi. Keep the Trash-bins at every corner of the
Sample Room and also by the side of each sewing machine, cutting/ finishing tables, etc.
Step 4:
Seiketsu: Seiketsu means to standardize. Here, steps 1, 2 and 3 are maintained properly.
To establish standard so that areas stay cleaned up in order to ensure smooth workflow in the
work-place6. Seiketsu can be applied to the Apparel Industry Sample Section in the following
ways: i. Assign cutting operators to follow-up 1 or maximum 2 buyers samples. Assign 2
operators if any buyer has huge orders / samples. ii. Cutting operators shall look after the
sample section storing inventory of their respective buyers. iii. They shall also follow-up the
sample submission deadline, sample styling, washing, printing, embroidery, etc.
instructions /delivery, etc. iv. There shall be routine maintenance of sample section machines,
utilities, etc. on regular basis. v. There shall be routine clean-up of the whole sample section
on regular basis.
Step 5:
Shitsuke: shitsuke means to sustain. That is, to establish procedures for safe working
environment6, 10. This is the step continuation of the habit of implementing the first four
steps in order to promote 5S campaign. Shitsuke can be applied to the Sample Section in the
following ways: i. Make first 4 steps 1,2,3,4 a regular practice. ii. Make it as a discipline in
this Sample Section. iii. Arrange at least 1 or 2 hours per week training sessions to motivate
and encourage workers why 5S is so important in the working field. iv. Create awareness of
work-place discipline, to ensure speedy and safe disciplined working environment. v. Review
and Assess steps 1 to 4, then make correction adjustments and apply in the Sample Section.

Page 9 of 18

People involved in sampling:

Several people and departments are involved in sampling process. They are: merchandising
department, sampling/ product development team, trim and fabric store, pattern making
department, quality assurance team, dispatch department and etc.
Assessment of sample:
Buyer assesses the sample and gives the feed back within 5 - 7 days to factory with respect to
sample. Feedback from the buyer is 3 types i.e. accepted, rejected, and accepted with
comments. The rejection of sample may be due to following reasons: There could be one or
more reasons for the sample rejection from buyer, these are: sample made out of tolerance,
incorrect construction, fabric quality may not up to mark, incorrect packaging, incorrect size
submission, frequent change in style and more.
These samples are sent to the buyer one after another for approval from the buyer and to
proceed further. Apart from these usual steps, sometimes the buyer suggests some changes in
the prepared sample, and then incorporating those suggestions makes a counter sample and in
it is sent to the buyer for approval. The sampling department helps the merchandising
department for finding out fabric consumption per unit garment and thereby helps in the
costing of garment.

How far the Sample Section Dilemmas were solved by 5S?

After analyzing the main reasons of the sample section dilemmas, it was found that, if all the
solutions given by implementing 5S system be properly applied, then smooth sample dispatch
with quality is really possible. These are mentioned in table-2.
How far 5S has solved the Sample Section Dilemmas
Causes

Problems

Weak File
Management

Wrong information to Washing/

Printing/ Embroidery section
regarding Wash/ Printing/
Embroidery Standard.
Mistake in garment panel
measurement.
Failure in understanding priority of
which sample to be completed first.
Untimely follow-up of samples from
the Washing/Printing / Embroidery
section.

Solutions
General Instructions
By means of
Genuine standard
applying seiri
found out by proper file and seiton
management.
Correct measurement
sheet found out by proper file management.
Proper follow-up and
file management.
Proper follow-up and
file management.

applying seiri
and seiton
seiri, seiton
and seiketsu
seiri, seiton
and seiketsu

Page 10 of 18

Weak
Inventory
Management

Made mistake by mixing-up fabric

(color /yarn count /pattern no.), and
trims and accessories like button
(size /color /shape), sewing thread
(color /ticket no.), etc. of one sample
with the other.
Wrong Tagging or Missing Counter
Sample

Dirty Sample
Section

Health hazards to workers by in-take

of dust particles causing respiratory
problems.
Workers injury due to Slippery
Floor by un-removed oil drops after
m/c maintenance.
Garment piece / cut panel suddenly
falls on the dirty floor containing oil
droplets or other dirty particles.
Machine accidents due to friction.

Less-skilled
And
Inexperienced
Personnel

Technical problems like

mismatching of cut panel,
mismatched check / stripe, poor
seam assembly, etc.
Limitation in the Supervisory skill
of Sample Manager.

Proper file
applying seiri,
management and strong seiton and
follow-up.
seiketsu

Proper file
management

seiton, seiketsu and

shitsuke
Maintaining cleanliness seiton, seiso
and installing
and seiketsu
ventilation system
Routine cleanliness
seiso, seiketsu
time to time at every
and shitsuke
pre-determined interval
Routine cleanliness of
seiso, seiketsu
the sample section
and
including floor.
shitsuke
Routine cleanliness and seiso, seiketsu
maintenance of
and shitsuke
machines.
Proper training /
seiketsu and
selection of skilled
seiri
personnel
Need to follow 5S

Overall 5S

Briefs on different samples:

1. Design development:

This is the first sample which is made for any style by most of the buyer.

Design development is either done by buyer or factory

The main purpose is to take the decision to proceed with the same line or not.
2. Proto sample:

Proto sample is developed at very initial stage and normally order is confirmed to the
factory based on proto sample only.
Normally, buyer send proto sample request to 2-3 factories.
The factory which submits the good quality and optimum price will get confirmation
from buyer.
Page 11 of 18

Proto sample are normally prepared in similar fabric if actual fabric is not available.

Substitute Trims can be used on proto.

As proto sample is given first time to the factory to buyer, so to develop the proto
sample buyer need to provide necessary information along with the proto request. These are:
Specification Sheet (Tech Pack), Bill of Material, Development sample (optional), Paper
patterns (optional), Sample of novelty trims, Sample of fabric yardage (it may be send by
buyer or asked to develop), Details of Print or Embroidery, if any.

Generally proto request is responded within the 7-10 days by merchandiser.

Factory need to submit at least 4 proto samples (quantity may change buyer to buyer)

If buyer does not approve the proto sample, factory needs to submit the 2nd proto
sample to get approval.
Once proto get approved buyer asks to start working on fit sample.
3. Fit sample

Fit sample is made and send to conform the fit of the garment on live models or on
dummy and for approval of construction details.
4. Ad or photo shoot sample:

In order to promote the new style in the market normally buyer asks for AD sample
for photo shoot.

Buyer uses this photo for marketing purpose either on catalogue or various media like,
print, TV or websites to see the response of the consumer.

This sample mainly sends in medium to large or sizes specified by buyer.

5. Sales man / Marketing /Showroom sample:

The main purpose of salesman sample is to collect the order from the retailers.

In Sales man sample actual accessory, actual fabric is used or sample yardage need to
be used.

This sample also very important stage of sampling as the sales of buyer depends upon
this sample presentation, look, feel of fabric is important.

The quality of the sample should be up to the mark of the buyer; hence merchandiser
should aware and make sure that product development team is well aware about the sample
quality parameters.
Page 12 of 18

The cost of sample production is given by buyer or sometimes buyer may give 150%
of FOB.
6. Size set sample:

The main purpose of size set sample is to check the factory's capability to make the
sample in all sizes.

The size set sample should be made in the actual fabric and trims.

The samples can be made in the sampling room or actual production floor, as required
by the buyer.

Bulk cutting of fabric for production should start only after size-set sample get
approved.

Normally, 1-2 samples (or quantity specified by buyer) of each size need to send to
buyer.

If sizes are more in number then buyer may ask to skip some sizes, called jump size
set sample.
7. GPT sample (Garment Performance Test):

The main purpose of GPT is to perform the physical and chemical testing on garment
to ensure the performance of the garment.

The tests done on garments are: Shrinkage, Color Fastness, Seam performance etc.

Garments for GPT sample can be done along with Size Set sample.

Normally, GPT Sample is sent to 3rd party inspection and results are sent to both
factory as well as buyer.

If same style is having 3-4 different colours then only one color sample is tested
completely and other colours samples are tested only with colour way test i.e. only colour
fastness tests are conducted.
8. Pre- production sample: (PP sample)

PP sample is considered to be a contract between the buyer and the factory.

It has to be made in original fabric and trims

Washing, embroidery and printing should match to actual.

Page 13 of 18

PP Sample is the standard for production and bulk production garments should be
identical to PP sample.

The factory can start the production of bulk garment only after the approval of
preproduction sample.

PP sample sends in only one size 1-2 samples or specified by buyer.

9. Wash sample:

Wash sample is made and submitted to buyer for assessment of feel and handle of
fabric after washing of Denim or shirt washing program, hence either at size set stage or PP
stage washing sample is sent to buyer for approval and carry forward of washing program.

If sample is not approved or approved with comments, factory needs to submit 2nd
sample to get approval.

After feel assessment buyer may suggest the changes in washing program.
10. TOP sample (Top of Production):

The top of production is sent to the buyer as soon initial pieces are come out of
sewing line with suggestion of QA department.

In TOP sample Buyer tries to evaluate the actual manufacturing of the style.

Buyer check whether bulk production is as per submitted sample or not.

TOP sample also checked by the buyer for the packaging.

11. Shipment sample:

Few buyers may ask for the shipment samples which factory needs to pull form the
actual shipment and sent to buyer.

The main purpose of this sample is to assure buyer about the actual shipment
dispatch.
IMPORTANCE OF FASHION IN SAMPLING
Fashion is defined well as the prevailing mode or shape of dress designed by those lead is
accepted. In any given period, fashion reflects the social, economic and cultural forces. Our
ancient civilization identified status or power with visual elements like clothes,
embellishments, and head gear, worn by the kings, ministers, priests or warriors. A fashion
remains popular for a few months or years before being replaced by yet another fashion .A
product or activity is in fashion or is fashionable during the period of time that a large

Page 14 of 18

segment of society accepts it .After a time, however the same product or activity becomes
old- fashioned when majority of the people no longer accept it.
IMPORTANCE AND NEED OF SAMPLING
Sampling is the best way to place an order. Though it is a difficult and time ending process it
will help the exporter to get the order from the buyer. The purpose of sampling is not only to
get bulk order and also it gives some additional benefits to the exporters. By doing sampling
the exporter can estimate the yarn consumption for developing the fabric, a clear idea on
costing and manufacturing difficulties. Besides by doing sampling the exporter can optimize
the processing parameters for mass production, which helps to avoid all kinds of bottle
necks .The samples, decide the ability of an exporter. The buyers will assess the exporter and
his organization only by the samples. If the samples are of good quality and with reasonable
price naturally the buyers will be forced to place the order so it is essential that the samples
should be innovative and with optimum quality.
ROLE OF DESIGNERS
There are countless styles, each of which has its own distinctive characteristics and most of
which have been created by designers and only by them. Designers need to be aware of the
trends and traveling provides them with opportunities to interpret their customer needs .A
designer creates and arranges garments and accessories in such a way that they are visually
pleasing as well as functional.
DESIGNING A COLLECTION
* Planning a collection
* Predicting trends
* Choosing a theme
DESIGNING A GARMENT
* The design
* Making a toile
* Making a card pattern
* The finished dress.
PERSONS INVOLVED IN SAMPLING
* Development team
* Designers/Sample developers,
* Customers/Clients,
* Textile technologists
* Garment technologists
* Packing & Dispatch,
* Sourcing &Purchasing,
* Costing & Finance,
* Sales & Marketing,
* Production team, Planning
Page 15 of 18

* Control & Testing

* Quality control
SAMPLING PROCESS
The process of sample department varies from context to context, and the development
process covers a wide range of diverse products from new fibers, fiber blends, new yarns,
fabric structures ,finishes and surface effects and all types of made up products such as
knitwear, hosiery, cut and sewn garments, household products, technical and medical
products. There are different phases of sampling; the first phase covers the development of
the initial concept or design idea through its approval by the customer and full review/risk
analysis by the development and production teams.
ROLE OF MERCHANDISER IN FULFILLING THE SAMPLING
In preparing sample the merchandiser places an optimal and pro-active role. The
merchandiser is a person who has to follow all the activities which filled up sight from the
manufacturing unit.
Merchandiser should understand the specifications and requirement of the buyer and produce
samples by considering:
1. Communication
2.Optimizing situation
3. Punctuality in giving details and samples to the buyers
4. Efficient follow up
5. Excellent negotiation skills

Conclusion
The suggestive solutions provided through this Japanese 5S System application in the sample
section of apparel industry reflected as a great effective tool for smooth sample production
and dispatch with better quality sample. Hence, also an excellent relation builds up with the
buyer side and thus a better scope to have more production order for the apparel industry
which is highly expected from manufacturers side. The Japanese 5S System is a very
important system for ensuring systematic discipline. Moreover, this is a world-wide
acceptable formula which helps in a great deal in solving the managerial level problems. This
system is already globally recognized and gained huge fame by improving Productivity,
Quality and Safety at work. Many people have applied it everywhere including Houses,
Offices, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, Restaurants, etc. and became successful at
overall management at their respective fields. So, everybody should implement 5S at every
possible section of their day to day life and of course in the apparel industry sample section.
The merchandiser has to consider all the quality parameters related to the samples to be
developed in case of non-conformities in the sample developed. Revised samples may be
sending for approval purpose. It is the duty of the merchandiser to dispatch the developed
samples on the time to the concerned buyers.

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S.NO

NO. of respondents

COLOR

DESIGN

25

50

FLEXIBILITY

STYLE

25

50

TOTAL

50

100

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