Sample Policy for Custom Team Uniforms: Cost, Lead Time and When to Skip It

Published September 28, 2026 · Reviewed by the RUIJUN production team

Short answer: yes, you can order a sample before bulk. At RUIJUN a sample is made on the same line as the bulk order, takes 5–10 days after artwork approval, is charged at the single-piece price for that product, and the amount is credited back on the bulk order. For a first order we recommend a size-set sample (one jersey per size) rather than one piece, because sizing – not print quality – is where most first orders go wrong. Here is how sampling works, what it costs, and when you can safely skip it.

Three kinds of sample

Type	What it is	When to use it	Time
Fabric swatches	10 × 10 cm pieces of the fabrics we offer, unprinted	Choosing between interlock, mesh, pique etc. before designing	Sent by express in 3–5 days; free with a quote request
Pre-production sample	One finished jersey (or kit) in your design, one size	Checking print colours, fabric and construction	5–10 days plus shipping
Size-set sample	One jersey per size you plan to order, in your design or a plain version	First orders, youth teams, clubs switching supplier	5–10 days plus shipping

What a sample costs

A sample is priced at the single-piece rate for that garment – higher than the bulk unit price because it is cut, printed and sewn on its own – plus express shipping. When you place the bulk order, the sample charge is deducted from the invoice, so the net cost of sampling is only the shipping. Fabric swatches are free with a quote. There is no separate “sample fee” or set-up charge.

Current single-piece and bulk prices for each product are in our 2026 price guide.

The sampling process

1. Approve the mockup. The sample is made from the print-ready proof, so any change you want should be made on the mockup first.
2. Choose the size(s). One piece in a middle size to check the print, or a size set if you also need to confirm fit.
3. Pay the sample invoice – Alibaba Trade Assurance, T/T or PayPal.
4. Production, 5–10 days. Fabric is printed, cut and sewn on the regular line; the piece goes through the same panel inspection and final check as bulk.
5. Photos before shipping. We send photos of the finished sample and, on request, a short video.
6. Express shipping, 4–8 days. DHL/FedEx/UPS with tracking; a single jersey costs roughly the same to ship as a small parcel anywhere.
7. Your feedback. Approve as is, or tell us what to change. Small adjustments (colour tone, logo size, hem length) are made in the bulk files without a second sample; a change of fabric or cut usually needs one more sample.

What comes in the sample parcel

The finished garment in its poly bag with the same woven label and hangtag as bulk, a printed colour swatch panel showing every Pantone used, and swatches of any alternative fabrics you asked about. If you ordered a size set, each piece is labelled by size and the packing list matches the sizes you requested, so it can go straight to a try-on session.

What to check when the sample arrives

• Colours in daylight, against your Pantone reference or existing kit.
• Logo sharpness – especially small sponsor text on mesh.
• Fit – chest, length, sleeve; try it on the player type you ordered for.
• Construction – flatlock seams, collar, hem stitching, label placement.
• Wash test – one machine wash at 30–40 °C. Colour and size should not change noticeably.

Report anything you want changed in one message with photos; we update the proof and confirm before bulk starts.

When you can skip the sample

• Re-orders of a design we have made before – fabric, fit and colours are on file.
• Second styles for the same club in the same season (an away kit after the home kit was sampled).
• Orders where the deadline does not allow the extra 10–14 days and the design uses standard colours and fabrics – in that case we send a printed colour swatch and detailed photos of the first finished piece from the bulk run before the rest is sewn.

For a first order with a new supplier, though, the size-set sample is worth the two weeks: it is far cheaper than remaking a batch of jerseys that came out a size small.

Sample-to-bulk consistency

The approved sample is kept in our sample room with its fabric lot number and the final proof. Bulk is cut from the same fabric specification and printed from the same files, and the first pieces off the line are compared with the sample before the rest is sewn. Ask for a photo of the bulk piece next to the sample – it is a normal request.

FAQ

Can I get a sample in my design for free? No – a fully custom printed sample is charged and credited on bulk. Fabric swatches are free.

Can I order a sample of a stock design instead? Yes. A plain or stock-design piece in your size shows fabric and fit at the same single-piece price.

What if I order the sample and then do not place a bulk order? You keep the sample; the charge is simply not refunded.

Can the sample be a different size from the bulk? Yes. Print quality is identical across sizes; choose the size that is most useful to try on.

How many revisions before the sample? Unlimited on the digital mockup. Most clubs approve after two or three rounds.

Can you make a sample from my existing jersey? Yes – send us the garment and we match fabric, fit and colours, then sample it.

To request swatches or a sample, send your design and sizes. If you are collecting sizes for a whole team first, our size chart guide explains how.

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