Sample Approval
Sample Approval Before Mass Production in China
A practical guide to sample approval records, revisions, photos, measurements, and production readiness.
Sample approval is a communication checkpoint before mass production. It should make the agreed product, material, finish, dimensions, packaging, and revision history clear enough that both buyer and supplier are working from the same reference.
What to define
- Reference sample, drawings, photos, or approved specification sheet.
- Material, finish, color, dimensions, tolerance, hardware, and packaging.
- What changes were requested and which revision is approved.
- Whether the approved sample represents mass production quality.
Evidence to keep
Keep photos, videos, measurements, sample labels, packing photos, supplier comments, and approval messages in one project folder. This reduces confusion when mass production begins.
Before production starts
- Confirm approved sample version and date.
- Confirm packaging and carton marks.
- Confirm inspection points and production evidence expectations.
- Confirm what happens if mass production differs from the approved sample.