How Often You Should Order Samples
What is it?
Ordering a sample means you are paying to print and ship one of your own products to yourself *before* you list it for sale.Why is it important?
This is your *only* chance for pre-launch quality control. A design that looks great on your screen might look terrible when printed. The colors might be wrong, the placement might be off, or the blank t-shirt itself might be low-quality. You *must* verify this yourself.When to Order Samples (The Golden Rules)
- ALWAYS for a New Product Type: Before you sell your first hoodie, you *must* order a sample. You need to feel the fabric, see the print quality, and check the fit.
- ALWAYS for a New Design Style: If you're testing a new 'vintage/faded' design style, you *must* order a sample to see if the print effect actually looks good.
- For Your Best-Sellers (Periodically): Once a quarter, order your top 3 best-selling products again. Why? To ensure the provider's quality hasn't slipped. This is a vital, ongoing QC check.
Do's & Don'ts
- DO: Use your samples to take unique, high-quality photos and videos for your store and social media. This makes you stand out from competitors who only use generic mockups.
- DON'T: Blindly list 100 products you've never seen or touched. This is a gamble with your brand's reputation.
- PRO TIP: Many providers (like Printify Premium) offer a sample discount. Use it!
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