Apparel R&D and Technical Prototyping

Garment Prototype Development & Sampling

Translate your tech packs, sketches, and fashion concepts into production ready physical garments. We provide precision pattern making, fabric sourcing, fit prototyping, and size sets engineered for scalable mass manufacturing.

3 to 7 Days Prototype turnaround
100% Rebate Sample cost credited to bulk
CAD & Digital Pattern drafting & grading
Zero MOQ For development sampling
Production Hierarchy

The 6 Essential Garment Sampling Stages

Apparel manufacturing fails when steps are rushed. We guide your collection through structured verification gates to lock in fit, fabric behavior, stitch tension, and construction durability before cutting bulk fabric.

Stage 1

Proto Sample (First Toile)

Constructed in muslin or available substitute fabric to evaluate the silhouette, garment proportions, panel balance, and neckline ergonomics without burning expensive shell textiles.

  • Evaluate basic drape and design balance
  • Confirm pocket placements and seam lines
  • Initial tech pack measurement audit
Stage 2

Fit Sample

Produced in actual production fabric or exact GSM equivalent to verify real world stretch recovery, shrinkage allowance, ease over body movement, and dimensional tolerances.

  • Fitted on live models or standard dress forms
  • Armhole, crotch, and shoulder mobility testing
  • Post wash shrinkage and skew calculation
Stage 3

Salesman Sample (SMS)

Showroom ready units crafted with final fabrics, customized hardware, woven labels, and retail packaging for brand lookbooks, buyers, trade fairs, and distributor pre orders.

  • Full colorways and print technique application
  • Custom brand trims, hang tags, and zippers
  • Photography and wholesale catalog ready
Stage 4

Size Set Samples

Sample pieces across your target size spectrum (such as XS through 3XL) ensuring our digital grading increments yield consistent silhouette aesthetics across all body proportions.

  • Verify grading rule tables across extreme sizes
  • Check logo and artwork scaling per garment size
  • Eliminate grading distortion before marker making
Stage 5

Pre-Production (PP) Sample

The contract master specimen sewn on the actual bulk assembly line using 100% production spec machinery, thread tension, and trim attachments. The definitive sign off benchmark.

  • Formal sealed sample kept for quality assurance
  • Benchmark against AQL 2.5 inspection criteria
  • Production line time and motion verification
Stage 6

Top of Production (TOP)

Randomly selected from the very first 5% to 10% completed units off the bulk sewing line to guarantee the factory floor strictly adheres to the approved sealed PP sample standard.

  • Live line sewing and finishing verification
  • Bulk packaging and barcoding confirmation
  • Final reassurance before complete shipment release
Structured Process

From Concept Sketch to Production Golden Sample

We operate a dedicated R&D sample room staffed with pattern masters, technical cutters, and master tailors separate from high speed bulk sewing lines.

Day 1 to 2

Tech Pack & CAD Review

We analyze your technical sketches, bill of materials (BOM), measurement charts, stitch callouts, and seam allowances. Missing tech specs are completed collaboratively.

Output: Verified digital CAD pattern block
Day 2 to 4

Material Sourcing & Lab Dips

We source matching knit, woven, or functional textiles, pull fabric lab dip swatches, match Pantone TCX codes, and procure sample grade trims, zippers, and drawstrings.

Output: Approved fabric swatches & trim card
Day 4 to 6

Sample Room Construction

Our technical sampling tailors cut single ply patterns, apply fusing, embroider or screen print embellishments, and assemble the garment with strict seam inspection.

Output: Physical prototype garment
Day 7

Measurement Audit & Dispatch

Every point of measurement (POM) is checked against the tech pack with shrinkage reports before courier dispatch or in person fitting at our Tagum City facility.

Output: Spec audit report & dispatched sample
Technical Mastery

Garment Engineering & Machinery Capabilities

Prototyping requires machinery versatility that commercial apparel factories rarely dedicate to low quantity development.

Engineering DomainCapabilities & MachineryDevelopment Deliverables
Pattern Drafting & DigitizationOptitex, Gerber CAD compatible vector DXF files, automated grade rules, laser pattern plotters, manual paper draping blocks.Graded vector pattern sets, marker yield efficiency calculations, nested print files.
Seam Engineering4 thread overlock, flatlock (activewear flat seaming), twin needle chainstitch, coverstitch, ultrasonic bonding, seam sealing tapes.Tension dialed seam samples, stretch elasticity testing, bursting strength verification.
Print & Embellishment SamplingHigh definition screen print sampling, silicone transfer, high density puff ink, Tajima multi head embroidery, direct to film (DTF), dye sublimation.Strike off swatches, embroidery stitch density approvals, Pantone color matching swatches.
Material CompatibilityCotton jersey (180 to 320 GSM), French terry, fleece, moisture wicking micro poly, ripstop, nylon taslan, twill workwear, spandex blends.Fabric shrinkage assessment, pre and post wash dimensional stability analysis.
Quality VerificationDigital calipers, color match light boxes (D65, TL84), fabric yield scales, seam pulling torque tests, dimensional tolerance audits.Point of Measurement (POM) deviation sheet, technical specification sign off sheets.

Transparent Prototyping Investment with 100% Bulk Order Credit

Garment sampling requires dedicated pattern digitizing, single ply hand cutting, and custom machine setup. To protect your brand budget, all sampling fees are fully credited toward your mass production order once approved.

Basic Knit Prototyping

₱1,200.00 (approx $21.00 / €19.50 / £16.80)

Crew neck t-shirts, oversized streetwear tees, and simple athletic singlets. Includes digital pattern block and one finished physical piece.

Structured & Collar Garments

₱2,200.00 (approx $39.00 / €36.00 / £31.00)

Custom polo shirts, technical quarter zips, French terry hoodies, and track shorts with custom pockets, plackets, and ribbed collars.

Technical & Workwear Outerwear

₱3,800.00 (approx $68.00 / €62.50 / £54.00)

Cargo workwear pants, windbreakers, lined jackets, medical scrub sets, and multi pocket utility vests with specialized hardware.

Note: Final sample pricing depends on textile complexity, pattern seams, and decorative techniques. 100% of sample fees are deducted from production invoices reaching our standard bulk order tier.

Why PHShirt

Why Brands Trust Our Philippines Sampling Workshop

From independent clothing labels in Manila, Sydney, and Singapore to nationwide corporate buyers, our sampling pipeline eliminates manufacturing risk.

CAD Pattern Archive

We provide full ownership of your developed pattern files in digital vector formats, ensuring repeat runs maintain exact size consistency forever.

Fast Turnaround

Rapid sampling in 3 to 7 working days allows agile brands to test new drops, adjust fittings, and pitch distributors ahead of seasonal launches.

Zero Communication Lag

Direct contact with skilled English speaking apparel technicians who understand grading rules, seam terminology, and global sizing specifications.

Seamless Bulk Scalability

Because samples are engineered directly on our factory floor, approved prototypes transition effortlessly to 100 to 10,000 piece production runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apparel Prototyping & Sampling FAQ

Common questions on tech packs, sample iterations, lead times, and factory transitions.

What files or information do I need to submit to begin sampling?

You can provide a technical pack with flat sketches, measurement tables, and fabric requirements. If you do not have a completed tech pack, you can submit clear reference images, physical sample garments for reverse pattern engineering, or vector CAD files with target measurements. Our technical pattern team will assist in refining the specification sheet.

How long does it take to produce a garment prototype?

Standard prototype turnaround is typically 3 to 7 working days once fabric and pattern specs are finalized. Complex technical apparel with custom metal hardware, specialized sublimation prints, or waterproof seam taping may require 7 to 10 working days.

How does the sample rebate or credit system work?

When you pay for a physical prototype or pre production sample, 100% of that sample fee is deducted from the final invoice when you proceed with mass production for that style reaching our minimum volume tier. This makes initial development virtually free for committed brands.

Can I request fit revisions after reviewing the first prototype?

Yes. Prototyping is an iterative engineering process. You provide a list of fit comments (such as increasing sleeve length by 1 cm, tapering the hem, or deepening armholes). We update the digital pattern file and proceed to a revised fit sample or directly to pre production approval based on your preference.

Do you offer fabric swatches before making the full garment?

Yes. We maintain a library of stocked cotton, dri-fit, fleece, twill, and poly-cotton blends. Fabric swatch packs are available free of charge for pickup at our Mankilam, Tagum City workshop or dispatched via nationwide and international courier.

Can you create custom size sets across our full grading range?

Yes. We offer complete size set sampling across your entire size run (XS to 3XL or specialized tall/petite sizing). This allows your team to test ease of movement, grading proportional integrity, and neck opening comfort on live fit models before cutting bulk production.

Launch Your Garment Prototyping Today

Connect directly with our sample room team in Tagum City to review your tech pack, select materials, and schedule your prototype cutting.