Product Development & Sampling in an RMG Buying House
In the global apparel industry, Product Development & Sampling is one of the most crucial departments of an RMG (Ready-Made Garments) Buying House. It is the stage where ideas transform into actual garments. A professional buying house ensures that every design provided by the buyer is accurately developed, cost-effective, production-friendly, and ready for bulk manufacturing.
For buying houses operating in Bangladesh—a leading garment exporting country—strong product development and sampling systems are key to winning buyer confidence and securing repeat orders.
- What is Product Development?
Product development is the complete process of converting a buyer’s concept, sketch, or tech pack into a finalized garment ready for bulk production.
It involves:
Understanding buyer requirements
Fabric & trim sourcing
Pattern making
Sample creation
Costing
Fit approval
Production feasibility analysis
The main goal is to ensure the product meets:
✔ Design accuracy
✔ Quality standards
✔ Target price
✔ Lead time
✔ Compliance requirements
- Key Stages of Product Development
- Buyer Brief & Tech Pack Review
The process begins with reviewing:
Design sketches
Measurement charts
Fabric specifications
Trim details
Construction instructions
Special wash or print details
The buying house merchandising team analyzes every detail carefully to avoid errors in sampling.
- Fabric & Trim Sourcing
Proper sourcing is essential because fabric cost usually covers 60–70% of garment cost.
The sourcing team selects:
Suitable fabric quality (Knit/Woven/Denim/Sweater)
Correct GSM
Composition (Cotton, Polyester, Blends)
Approved accessories (Buttons, Zippers, Labels, Elastics)
Lab dips and strike-offs are developed for color and print approval.
- Costing & Price Confirmation
Before sampling, a preliminary costing is prepared including:
Fabric consumption
Trim cost
CM (Cut & Make)
Wash/Print/Embroidery cost
Packaging
Overhead
Accurate costing ensures the product matches the buyer’s target price.
- Pattern Making & Sample Preparation
Pattern making is a technical step that determines garment fit and shape.
The factory prepares samples based on:
Approved patterns
Measurement charts
Sewing construction details
- Types of Samples in RMG Buying House
Sampling is done in multiple stages to ensure perfection before bulk production.
- Development Sample
First sample made to understand design feasibility.
- Proto Sample
Made after development sample with better finishing.
- Fit Sample
Used to check garment fitting on a mannequin or model.
- Size Set Sample
Made in different sizes to confirm grading accuracy.
- Pre-Production (PP) Sample
Final approved sample before bulk production.
- Shipment Sample
Final sample taken from bulk production for record.
Each sample stage reduces production risk.
- Role of Merchandiser in Product Development
The merchandiser acts as a bridge between:
Buyer
Factory
Fabric suppliers
Quality team
Key responsibilities include:
Follow-up on sample timeline
Communicating buyer comments
Ensuring corrections
Maintaining documentation
Controlling development lead time
Strong communication ensures smooth product approval.
- Importance of Sampling in RMG Buying House
Sampling plays a critical role because:
✔ It identifies technical issues before bulk production
✔ It ensures correct fit and measurement
✔ It reduces risk of rejection
✔ It builds buyer confidence
✔ It ensures compliance with brand standards
A minor mistake in sampling can lead to large financial loss in bulk production.
- Common Challenges in Product Development
Buying houses often face challenges such as:
Fabric delay
Incorrect lab dip approval
Poor fit issues
High development cost
Tight buyer deadlines
To overcome these challenges:
Maintain strong supplier network
Keep backup fabric options
Conduct internal fit review
Monitor sampling timeline strictly
- Importance of Bangladesh in Product Development
Bangladesh is globally recognized for:
Strong knitwear development capability
Competitive production cost
Skilled technical workforce
Fast sampling support
Buying houses in Bangladesh play a major role in helping international brands develop high-quality products at competitive prices.
Conclusion
Product Development & Sampling are the foundation of successful garment production in an RMG Buying House. It is not just about making samples—it is about transforming buyer ideas into production-ready garments with precision, cost efficiency, and quality assurance.
A strong product development team ensures:
Accurate costing
Perfect fit
On-time approval
Smooth bulk production
In today’s competitive global apparel market, efficient product development and sampling systems are the key to long-term success and strong buyer relationships.