The 1st Day of the Sampling Season!
Guess What Today Is?
Factory samples from the manufacturing companies on behalf of a Black Unicorn Merchandising client.
If you’re in the know, you’re already buzzing with excitement. If not, let me introduce you to the magic of sampling season—a critical phase in fashion production where your designs take their first steps toward reality. At Black Unicorn Merchandising, your trusted apparel design agency, we’re all about getting your products to market on time, with the quality and flair that sets your fashion brand apart.
Sampling season is the heartbeat of the design process, where we turn your creative vision into something tangible. But before those samples are in hand, we go through a few essential stages together. It all kicks off with a consultation—what we call the kickoff call—where you connect with our expert design team. This is where we dive deep into your brand, your goals, and the unique story you want to tell through your collection.
Next comes trend research, a vital step to ensure your designs not only capture the latest fashion trends but also set new ones. After that, it’s on to the design process itself. Here’s where our tech packs, a must-have in fashion production, and material sourcing come into play. These elements form the blueprint for your product, ensuring that every detail aligns with your vision and the demands of the market. (For more on Tech Packs, check out our workshop under Elevate Your Fashion Career.)
Once the design is locked in, we send it off to our manufacturing partners or a skilled seamstress to create the samples. This process typically takes around six weeks, filled with meticulous back-and-forth to ensure every stitch, seam, and fabric choice meets our rigorous standards. This phase is all about quality assurance, ensuring that the samples not only meet but exceed expectations.
For those ready to take this step, we offer our Basic Sampling Package. This package is designed for clients who already have a Black Unicorn Merchandising-approved tech pack, along with vector sketches and related art files. Not sure if you’re ready? Set up a consultation, and we’ll help you figure it out!
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
1 Overseas Proto Sample
Domestic Shipping from Black Unicorn to Your Address
Brief Sample Evaluation
But if you need more, let’s discuss what else we can do to bring your vision to life. Learn more about our Basic Sampling Package.
Finally, the samples arrive, and we get to do what we love—inspect, feel, and perfect them. It’s an exciting moment when your designs become something you can hold, wear, and admire.
Now, if you haven’t started on the first steps of this process yet, don’t worry—we’re here to help. Even if it means your product might miss the next apparel market dates for that season, it’s always the right time to get started. The right timing for your fashion brand isn’t just about aligning with the market; it’s about aligning with your customer.
Ready to make your designs a reality? Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let’s find out where you are in your design process. Whether you’re just starting or refining your collection, we’re here to help you launch with confidence and style.