SAMPLING PROCESS

• The development process covers a wide range of diverse products from new fibers, fiber blends, new yarns, fabric structures, finishes and surface effects and all types of made up products such as knitwear, hosiery, cut and sewn garments, household products and technical and medical products.

• Despite the diversity of textile products the development process is similar for all and the process has been transformed by the increasing use of CAD/CAM, computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing. These enable new ideas and effects to be reproduced on computer and tried and tested in a most cost effective and visually acceptable way. The sample development process splits down into three main phases. The first of these covers the development of the initial concept or design idea through to its approval by the customer and full review/risk analysis by the development and production teams.

• The second phase covers the process following acceptance of the first prototype Sample and includes the functions of sourcing and ordering components, testing the product and Carrying out trials. Once the finalized sample specification has been drawn up, the third and final Phase commences. This includes a range of activities that are carried out before large scale or bulk Production can begin. This final stage includes sourcing production capacity outside the home Producer/developer where this is applicable.

• The cycle of design and sample development for apparel items differs in several ways, particularly when they are being developed for major chain stores and this is covered in detail in Manufacturing. The future of textiles depends on companies adding value to their samples and/or services and need to understand the sample development process and to control quality and costs in the initial stage or in the sampling development.