Do you charge for samples and pattern development?

Samples are charged, and the charge covers fabric, trims and the line time taken off production. Development from a sketch or a reference sample, meaning pattern making, grading and the first prototype, is quoted separately because it is engineering work rather than sampling.

Sampling itself runs about seven days, and a sales sample for a confirmed style takes two to three weeks. Sample charges are normally credited against the bulk order once it is placed, and that should be stated in the quotation rather than agreed verbally later.