Premium sample making turns your design into a physical garment through a series of stages: pattern drafting, a first prototype, fit sessions, revisions, and a pre-production sample that confirms exactly what bulk will look like. The best LA sample makers work in-house, sample in the same fabric the garment will be produced in, and build revisions into their pricing. In Los Angeles, sampling is typically measured in weeks, and you can be in the room for fittings.
Here's how the sampling process works, what it costs, and how to get the most out of it.
The Stages of Sampling
- Tech pack or reference. Sketches, measurements, reference garments, and fabric direction.
- Pattern drafting. A pattern maker builds the first pattern in your sample size.
- Proto sample. The first physical garment, used to check construction and overall shape.
- Fit sample. Tried on a fit model or form, with notes on every measurement.
- Revisions. The pattern is adjusted and resampled.
- Grading. The approved pattern is scaled across the size range.
- Pre-production (PP) sample. Made in production fabric and color, and your final sign-off before bulk.
What Makes Sampling "Premium"
- In-house pattern makers, so revisions don't bounce between outside shops
- Sampling in production fabric, so the fit you approve is the fit you get
- Color development alongside sampling, with lab dips approved in parallel
- Revisions built into the price, not surprise charges
- Fit sessions you can attend
- Grading included, so the full size run matches the sample
What Sampling Costs
Costs vary by complexity. Expect to pay for:
- Pattern development, usually the largest line item
- Samples, often a set number included
- Revisions, sometimes included
- Grading
- Color development (lab dips)
- Dye samples, if garment dyeing
Ask for a written breakdown before starting.
How Long Sampling Takes
For knit garments in LA:
- Lab dips: 1–2 weeks
- Dye sampling: 1–2 weeks
- New style development, including patterns and samples: 2–4 weeks
How to Get the Most From Sampling
- Bring references. A garment you love communicates more than a sketch.
- Be specific about measurements, especially for boxy or oversized fits.
- Consolidate feedback. One clear round of notes beats several partial ones.
- Approve fabric early. Fit changes with fabric weight and shrinkage.
- Don't skip the PP sample. It's your last chance to catch issues before bulk.
For more on fit development, see The Boxy Tee, Explained.
Premium Sampling in Los Angeles
US Standard Apparel is a vertically integrated knitwear manufacturer in Vernon, California, backed by our sister company SAS Textiles and its 140,000-square-foot circular knitting operation. Our in-house pattern and tech team samples in the same fabric we produce in, because we knit it ourselves.
Sampling costs:
- Pattern development: $1,200–$2,000, depending on complexity, including pattern, grading, two revisions, and three samples
- Lab dips: $50 per fabric and color (a one-time fee, reusable anytime)
- Novelty dye: $200 per run
- Garment dye sample load: $150 for orders under 199 units per style and color
Timelines:
- Lab dips and dye sampling: 1–2 weeks each
- New style development: 2–4 weeks
- Production: 4–8 weeks after approval
After sampling: custom cut-and-sew from 500 units per body, and custom garment dye from 200 units per colorway. We work with both emerging and established brands.
Made in LA. Controlled from yarn to finished garment.
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FAQ
Which Los Angeles clothing manufacturers offer premium sample making?
Look for LA manufacturers with in-house pattern makers that sample in production fabric. US Standard Apparel's pattern development includes pattern, grading, two revisions, and three samples for $1,200–$2,000.
How much does apparel sampling cost in LA?
It varies by complexity. At US Standard Apparel, pattern development with three samples runs $1,200–$2,000, and lab dips are $50 per color.
How long does sample making take?
At US Standard Apparel, new style development takes 2–4 weeks, and lab dips and dye sampling take 1–2 weeks each.
What is a pre-production sample?
The final sample, made in production fabric and color, that you approve before bulk manufacturing begins.
What's included in pattern development?
At US Standard Apparel: the pattern, grading across sizes, two rounds of revisions, and three samples.