Sample cost vs production cost: what to know
Sample cost covers making the sample your company approves; production cost covers the whole order afterwards. A guide for HR and admin teams reading a quote.
Sample cost is what it takes to make the sample that your company inspects, tries and signs off; production cost is what it takes to make the entire order once the sample is approved, covering cloth, sewing, measuring and quality checks. They fall at different stages of the process, so a quote should show them separately. That lets HR and admin teams compare offers fairly and avoid surprises later.
How the two costs differ
| Criterion | Sample cost | Production cost |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Test style, cloth, colour, logo and fit before deciding | Make the whole order to the approved sample |
| Quantity | One or a few sample sets | Your order quantity, with item minimums |
| Timing | Step 3 of the process, before sign-off | After sign-off, at measuring and production |
| How it is priced | By sample | Unit price times quantity, per item |
| Related decision | Approve or revise | Schedule, quality checks, delivery |
The key point is that the sample decides what will be made, while the order decides the total budget. Settle the sample carefully before production, because changes after bulk sewing are always far more costly.
What production cost usually includes
A full production quote should make these items visible:
- Cloth: type, composition and the swatch selected.
- Sewing: cutting, assembly and finishing of each garment.
- Individual measuring: the measuring team visits your office on your schedule.
- Identity details: embroidered or printed logo, labels, name badges.
- Trims: buttons, lining, zips and other fittings.
- Quality checks: Mon Amie checks at three stages (cutting, assembly, finishing) with weekly progress updates.
- Delivery and adjustment: delivery to your site with fitting and adjustment there; shipping terms depend on the contract and are confirmed during consultation.
The photo below records a project of Mon Amie Uniform with Chợ Rẫy Hospital.
Reading the starting prices
Mon Amie publishes starting prices by production item:
| Item | From | Minimum quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Men's business suits | 3,000,000 VND | 5 sets |
| Women's business suits | 1,500,000 VND | 5 sets |
| Men's shirt | 600,000 VND | 20 |
| Women's shirt | 480,000 VND | 20 |
| Trousers and skirts | 600,000 VND | 20 |
| T-shirts and polos | 150,000 VND | 30 |
These are item prices for production; how the sample portion is handled, whether charged separately or combined, is confirmed during consultation. These are starting prices for each category, not a quotation; real prices depend on fabric, style and quantity.
Questions to ask when you receive a quote
HR and admin teams can take this list to any tailor:
- Is the sample fee listed separately or folded into the unit price? Is it credited to the order after approval?
- How many sample sets are made, in real cloth or an equivalent?
- How many revisions are allowed before sign-off?
- Which quantity does the production unit price assume, and what are the minimums?
- Are logo, labels and trims already in the unit price?
- After sign-off, does production follow the sample exactly, and at how many stages is quality checked?
- How long does the alteration warranty last, and where is it honoured?
- How do new hires order later from the same sample?
Written answers let you compare several quotes on the same footing.
How Mon Amie handles the two stages
In Mon Amie's six-step process, step 3 is the approved sample: production starts only after your company signs it off. Before that, step 1 ends with a proposal and price range, and step 2 presents three design options in your brand colours with real swatches. After sign-off, the measuring team visits your office, measurements are stored under employee IDs, and production follows in our 1,000 m² workshop on 3/2 Street with quality checks at three stages. Hoàng Vy – Mon Amie was founded in 1991 and works with more than 500 companies each year.
Allow 4–6 weeks after sample approval for measuring, making and delivery. Delivery includes fitting and adjustment on site, plus a free alteration warranty for 3 years at every showroom. New hires are measured individually and made to the approved sample, so it serves more than one batch.
Frequently asked questions
Is the sample cost credited to the order?
That depends on the agreement and contract. Mon Amie confirms how the sample portion is handled during consultation, and you should ask for it in writing in the proposal.
When must the sample be signed off?
Before production. Mon Amie begins production only when your company signs off the sample, so this is the moment to settle style, cloth, colour and logo position.
Does the approved sample serve new hires?
Yes. New staff are measured individually and made to the approved sample, and measurements already taken are stored under employee IDs for later batches.
When does the 4–6 week period start?
After sample approval, covering measuring, making and delivery. Survey, design and sampling come before that point.
To receive a proposal with a price range and a clear explanation of each cost, submit your details on our quote page or call 0888.111.118 (the same number on Zalo).
