Blank Samples
Blank samples are samples of products without decoration. Purchasing blank samples can be a great way to evaluate quality, material and/or fit in person before deciding which item you would like to move forward with.
You'll be invoiced for the cost of blank samples, as well as any applicable taxes and shipping fees. Please allow 1-3 business days for order processing and 2-5 days for ground shipping in the US.
Pre-production Samples
Pre-production samples (PPS) are prototypes of a product that are created before running a full order to ensure the product meets client expectations. Here are some things that pre-production samples can help with:
- Decoration: Review decoration like print, embroidery, tags, labeling and more
- Fit, form and function: Ensure that the product has the desired fit, form and function
- Production process: Test the decoration production process
- Quality: Test product and decoration quality
This sample acts as an added layer of assurance, helping to ensure the satisfaction of your product with decoration.
There are two ways to order a pre-production sample:
- Order PPS before placing a full order - Gemnote will bill for PPS sample only. Once PPS is approved, Gemnote will place full order with vendor. Stock will not be reserved for the final order and production will take longer due to additional order processing and shipping times.
- Order PPS while placing a full order - Gemnote will send an estimate for full order + PPS sample and will ship the sample as soon as it's complete. Once PPS is approved, order will go into full production as inventory is on-hand.
Do I have to order a pre-production sample?
PPS are required for certain items like fully custom or cut and sew items to ensure the satisfaction of the overall product and customization. For these items, if you choose to move forward without a PPS, Gemnote requires a pre-production sample waiver to be signed. The waiver acknowledges that the client has opted to proceed without the sample and accepts full responsibility for the final product as received.
For items that only include decoration, Gemnote will send a digital proof for approval and a pre-production sample would not be required.