1. What the factory does during development
A buyer sends a sketch, a few reference images, or even a sample garment that needs reworking — and the factory's development assessment usually covers four things within 24–48 hours:
- Style structure analysis: breaking the style down into how many pattern pieces it needs and how many special construction points it has (seam lines, darts, pleats) to judge the level of sewing difficulty;
- Fabric direction: recommending 2–3 weight-and-composition options based on the silhouette, with the price band and minimum order for each;
- Construction feasibility: whether decoration such as embroidery, printing or rhinestone application works on the target fabric, and how long sampling will take;
- Price range: a sampling fee and an estimated bulk price, plus the key variables that move the cost.
Modern pattern rooms support this step with 3D virtual sampling (in the same family as Style3D or CLO): pattern pieces are sewn into a virtual garment in software and the drape is simulated, so the client can preview the direction of the fit without waiting for a physical sample — cutting a revision round from 7 days to 1–2 days. The video is footage of the LIUYU pattern room adjusting pattern pieces in 3D software.
2. What buyers should have ready
- Must-have: a sketch (a front view is enough to start), the target weight or a description of the hand-feel, your target price and first-order quantity;
- Nice-to-have: a reference sample garment (the most precise language there is), fabric swatches, a size chart or your target market;
- Common mistake: sending a single rendering and asking for an exact quote. Development assessment gives you a price range; an exact quote has to wait until after pattern-making — that is how the industry works, not the factory hiding its price.
3. Lead time and cost
| Item | Typical lead time | Cost reference |
|---|---|---|
| Style assessment + price range | 24–48 hours | Free |
| 3D virtual sampling (optional) | 1–2 days | Included in the sampling fee by most pattern rooms |
| First sample | 3–5 days | RMB 300–800 per style (by workmanship) |
The point of the development stage is not speed, but translating a vague idea into an executable production language. The more detail you put in here, the more smoothly the next eight stages run.