Roles and Responsibilities of Sampling Department in Garment Industry
Nikita Thakre
Marketing I.E. Officer at Pratibha Syntex, Indore
Email: nikitathakre602@gmail.com
Introduction of Sampling Department:
Sampling department is a very important department of garment industry. Bulk production depends on the samples made in the sampling department. Sample construction is followed in bulk production. Sample department is responsible for cutting, sample making, inspection, approval and communication with the buyer. Sampling department is responsible for making samples with easy method and high quality. Sampling department develops such methods for sample making so that maximum production can be done with high quality at the time of bulk production. And there is no problem arise at the time of production. Along with this, sampling department is responsible for pattern development and its changes and correction. Because in sampling, the pattern which is used to make the sample is the same pattern which is followed in bulk production. If there is any mistake in the pattern, it has a bad impact on production and the company may face huge losses.
Process start with:
First of all the marketing team contacts the buyer and holds a meeting. In this meeting there was discussion on sample. In which the buyer puts his demand and the marketing team puts his point of view. At the end of the meeting, if the buyer gives his design, a sample is made according to him and if the buyer approves the marketing team’s design, a sample is made according to him. Then the marketing team meets with the sampling department to discuss the details of the sample and after that the further process starts in the sampling department.
Responsibilities of Sampling Department in Garment Industry:
- The sampling department is responsible for making the pattern for whatever sample is to be made.
- Sample department is responsible for cutting and making samples.
- It is the responsibility of the sampling department to inspect the sample and check its quality.
- After making the sample, it is also the responsibility of the sampling department to send it for approval and co-ordinate with the buyer.
- It is also the responsibility of the sampling department to make changes in the sample & pattern according to the buyer’s comments.
- The sampling department is responsible from the time the sample is approved till production and dispatch of the order.
Role of Sampling Department in Garment Industry:
a) Pattern Making: Pattern making plays the most important role in the garment industry. The production of the garment depends on the pattern. Before making any garment, a blue print of the garment is prepared. In which all the parts of the garment are mentioned. So that the fabric can be cut easily at the time of cutting. Hard board paper is used to make the pattern. After this, marking of all the parts of the garment is done so that it can be known where the parts of the garment are have to cut. All the notches are marked in the pattern. Different patterns of each part are cut. Pattern making is done either manually or by computer. To make the pattern from computer, CAD software is used.
b) Cutting: Cutting is done after the pattern is ready. For cutting, layering of fabric is done and then marking is done by placing a pattern on it. And then there is the process of cutting. Cutting can be done manually or with the help of machine. Cutting in sampling is mostly done manually. After cutting all the cut panels are inspected. And then it is used for sewing.
c) Printing & Embroidery: If the sample has any printing or embroidery requirement from buyer’s side then it is sent for printing or embroidery after cutting. After printing it is given to the sewing department for further process.
d) Sewing: Sewing department is also a very important part of the garment industry. At this stage, many experiments related to garment making are done to find out how the best quality garment can be prepared with an easy method. At the time of sewing, we try to see how the quality can be improved and how the production can be improved. After the sample is prepared in the sewing department, it is finished and the quality is checked.
e) Problem of production Or production related matter: After making the sample, the sampling team discuss which problems were encountered at the time of making the sample and how a problem can be eliminated. For this, the team shares its ideas and works on suitable ideas so that the problems faced at the time of production can be eliminated.
f) Costing: After making the sample, it’s costing is determined. For this the sample is given to the industrial engineer. According to sample industrial engineer make O.B. And gives its costing.
g) Send to buyer: After getting the costing, a meeting is scheduled with the buyer. There seems to be a discussion on the sample. If the buyer agrees with the sample and costing then all related queries are discussed in this meeting. There has been discussion related to trims, thread, fabric, order.
h) Approved sample: After making the sample, it is sent to the buyer. If the buyer is satisfied with the sample then at the same time the sample is approved. And if the buyer makes any changes in the sample then he comments on the sample and then the sample is made as per the buyer’s comment.
i) Production pattern: The final pattern is prepared after the sample is approved, all sizes and measurements are ok and after following all the comments of the buyer. Which is called production pattern.
Types of Garment Sample:
1. Proto sample: Proto sample is made at initial stage. Proto sample is made to check design and style. Proto sample is made from available fabric. Proto sample is made to check measurements and design. If the buyer rejects the proto sample then a second proto sample is made.
2. Fit sample: Fit sample is prepared to check fit and construction. It is made in M size. Actual fabric is used for this but if the actual fabric is not available then a fit sample can be made from whatever fabric is available. You can also check the fit sample on dummy test or live.
3. Sales man sample: Actual fabric and trims are used to create the salesman sample. Salesman samples are made to show to customers or to take orders.
4. GPT (garment performance test) sample: GPT sample as the name suggests, gpt sample is made to check the performance of the garment. Such as shrinkage of garment, colour fastness, quality etc.
5. Size Set Sample: Size set sample is made to check the capability of the company. Samples of all sizes are made in it. Buyer tells what will be the quantity of size set samples. Actual fabric and trims are used to make size set samples.
6. Gold seal or Pre-production sample: Gold seal sample is made before bulk production starts. This sample is followed at the time of bulk production. After making the p.p. sample, bulk production is started. Original fabric and trims are used for this sample.
7. Top of production sample: When bulk production starts and the sample come out of the line, a few samples are sent to the buyer. In which the buyer checks the quality of the pieces made in bulk production.
8. Shipment sample: When the shipment is about to go, some of the samples that are sent to the buyer are called shipment samples.
Conclusion:
In conclusion sampling department is a very important department of garment industry. Sample is developed in sampling department and which is followed in bulk production. There is a lot of process in the sampling department from making the sample till starting the bulk production. First of all the marketing team discusses the sample with the buyer. The buyer listen all points of view of marketing team and keeps his own point of view. The sample is prepared according to the design given by the buyer. For which the pattern is first prepared. Cutting is done with the help of the pattern. The cut panels are inspected. After cutting Printing or embroidery is done as per buyer requirement. Than cut panel is sent for sewing. A sample is being made in the sewing department. Then the sample is sent to the buyer for approval. If the buyer leaves a comment then the sample is developed again. The costing of the sample has been determined. If buyer confirms the order then size-set sample is made. Pre-production samples are made and sent to the buyer. After buyer’s approval, final pattern is prepared which is used in bulk production.
References:
- https://textilelearner.net/role-and-responsibility-of-ie-in-sampling-department/
- https://www.onlinetextileacademy.com/types-samples-garment-industry
- https://techpacker.com/blog/manufacturing/12-types-of-garment-samples-you-should-know-about-for-apparel-production/
- https://www.onlineclothingstudy.com/2021/11/process-flow-chart-of-sampling-section.html
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