If you have a need to customize plush toys, you must be concerned about this question: I paid a proofing fee to a plush toy factory, and generally, the plush toy factory will provide me with a quote, such as $100, along with a sample invoice. This sample invoice is usually quite simple, just showing that it is a proofing fee. So, what exactly does this proofing fee include? Today, as a 20-year-old plush toy factory, we will tell you the industry common sense and what the generally accepted proofing fee should include. If I make a request to the factory and the factory asks for a price increase, how can I tell if the factory’s request is reasonable? How should I negotiate with the factory?
Generally speaking, the sample fee includes
Generally speaking, the sample fee includes
- 1-2 samples from design draft to sample production completion; generally, it is not recommended to make 2 samples in the first version. It is suggested that after basically confirming, for example, during the second revision, 2 samples can be made by the factory, because each additional sample incurs cost, and the factory will also evaluate the high cost of serving customers, which will be directly linked to the unit price obtained. Appropriately reducing the factory’s service and cost also indirectly makes oneself a more competitive custome
- 2 regular revisions
Not included:
Not included:
- Frequent modifications due to one’s own reasons (not the factory’s), such as directly modifying the entire drawing, changing the standing position to a sitting position, may result in some factories recharging while others may not, depending on the factory’s communication ability and customer service level
- Shipping costs: Since shipping costs for international deliveries are generally high, companies that frequently import usually have their own freight forwarders; therefore, some companies default or note that shipping costs are not included. If you do not have a regular freight forwarder and need the factory to include shipping costs, you need to ask the factory whether shipping costs are included. If not, you can request that shipping costs be included.
- If it is a special process, such as requiring plastisol printing, this plastisol printing requires making a mold, which may cost $100 already. Then the factory may ask for a price increase, but basically special processes are in the minority.
- Special fabrics require customization, which leads to a surge in costs and may also result in price increases; this is because the sample fees quoted by factories are basically labor plus basic material costs.
Parts that should never have their costs increased:
Parts that should never have their costs increased:
- Modifications caused by factory reasons should not be included in the regular number of modifications
Can the sample fee be deducted from the payment for the bulk goods? Generally, it can, but there may also be cases where it cannot. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to clarify this when placing the sample order.
If you have been hurt in communication with the factory and are afraid of getting hurt again, you can ask the factory to include the services in the sample invoice
