A sample order purchases a small quantity so the buyer can assess a supplier or product before committing to production volume. The sample should represent the intended specification and process closely enough to support the decision.
Sample Order: what the sourcing record should show
| Area | What to record |
|---|---|
| Decision | State whether the sample is stock, hand-made, pilot-produced or taken from normal production. Record any differences from the future order. |
| Evidence | Keep the sample specification, supplier lot, photos, test results, approval, deviations and disposition. |
| Watch point | A good hand-made sample does not prove that a factory can repeat the result at scale. Follow it with process and production controls. |
When does Sample Order matter?
State whether the sample is stock, hand-made, pilot-produced or taken from normal production. Record any differences from the future order.
What should buyers check before approving Sample Order?
Keep the sample specification, supplier lot, photos, test results, approval, deviations and disposition.
A good hand-made sample does not prove that a factory can repeat the result at scale. Follow it with process and production controls.
