How to sample-test corporate merch — Italy workflow
A 4-stage sampling protocol that catches colour drift, fabric weight, print abrasion, electronic safety and packaging fit before we ever commit to a 5 000-unit production run from our Milano hub.
Stage 1 — Blanks (Days 1–3)
Plain unbranded blanks shipped to your office in Italy. Verify fabric weight (gsm), hand-feel, fit (size grading), colour against your Pantone book in daylight. For hardgoods: weight, dimensions, finish quality. Cost: 0–50€ per blank, free for orders above 1 000 units committed.
Stage 2 — Strike-off proof (Days 4–8)
One physical sample with your logo printed/embroidered on the final substrate, real production line, real ink/thread. Confirms Pantone match, registration tightness, embroidery density and substrate compatibility. Strike-off ships via SDA / BRT next-day to your Italy address. Cost: 35–80€, applied to final bulk invoice.
Stage 3 — Pre-production sample (Days 8–14)
Full kitted sample: branded item + custom packaging + insert + label-pack as it will ship. Tests the full unboxing experience. Recommended for orders >500 units, high-stakes campaigns, or first-time SKUs. Cost: 80–250€ depending on complexity, applied to bulk.
Stage 4 — Lab tests (when needed)
SGS / TÜV / Intertek lab reports for REACH SVHC, EN 71-3 migration of elements, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, CE/EMC for electronics, RoHS, abrasion (Martindale) and colour fastness (ISO 105). Lead time 5–10 working days, cost 150–800€ per report. Usually triggered by procurement for orders >€20 k or for new substrate combinations.
Sign-off and bulk go-ahead
Each stage closes with an email sign-off. We pause production until "APPROVED" lands in writing. Sign-off window: 3 working days; if you need longer, no penalty but the delivery slot may shift. After final sign-off we ramp into bulk production within 24 h at the Milano hub.
FAQ — sample testing
Can I skip the strike-off?
For repeat reorders of an already-approved SKU yes. For new SKUs or critical brand colours we strongly advise against skipping — the cost saved is rarely worth the risk on €5 000+ orders.
Do samples count toward MOQ?
No — samples are produced on a separate run, they do not consume your bulk MOQ allocation. But the strike-off and PPS costs offset against your final invoice.
Can I sample multiple variants?
Yes — A/B variants of placement, colour, fabric. Cost is per sample. We recommend max 3 variants per SKU to keep sign-off cycles manageable.
Are lab tests always required?
Mandatory for EN 71 (toys), CE (electronics), and procurement-audited buyers. Optional but recommended for new fabric blends or skin-contact items.
What if a sample fails?
We re-run the strike-off at our cost up to 2 attempts. If artwork or substrate changes are needed, we re-quote.