Can I request a quote with only one image?

One owned or authorized image can start the discussion, but it is not enough for a final production quote. JWC may still need size, quantity range, material direction, packaging expectation, target market and must-keep detail notes before assumptions can be reviewed.

Do I need technical drawings before contacting JWC?

No. Rough artwork, reference photos and simple notes can start a review if the artwork is buyer-owned or authorized and open questions are clearly marked.

Should I include a target price?

If you have a budget target, share it as context for material, size, packaging and detail choices. Exact pricing remains quotation-specific.

What if I do not know the MOQ?

Share the expected launch quantity or a range. MOQ depends on project details, so the first brief should show the likely quantity context without treating it as a fixed final number.

Should packaging be in the first brief?

Yes, if packaging affects retail display, gifting, sample review or carton planning. If it is undecided, mark it as undecided instead of guessing.

Should I mention the target market?

Yes. Target market helps route packaging, testing, label, importer and retailer questions, but final requirements should be confirmed through the proper project and market sources.

How much does a custom plush sample cost?

Sample development starts from US$100. The final sample fee depends on the design and is confirmed in quotation.

Is the sample fee the same as the bulk unit price?

No. The sample fee supports development work for a physical sample. Bulk unit price is quoted separately after project specifications and quantity are reviewed.

How should sample-fee credit terms be confirmed?

The sample fee can be credited toward a confirmed bulk order after production is confirmed. Confirm the credit condition in the sample quotation before payment.

What should I confirm before paying a sample fee?

Confirm what is included, what is excluded, how sample changes are handled, whether delivery is separate, and what details are still needed before bulk pricing.

Can sample terms ever be adjusted?

Custom sample terms should be confirmed before development starts. The quotation should state the sample scope, fee terms, and any exclusions for your project.

What if my design is still rough?

A rough concept may need sample feasibility discussion before a meaningful quote. Send artwork, target size, intended use, quantity direction, and any material or packaging references you already have.

What is the difference between a first sample and an approval sample?

A first sample is usually the first physical version for review. An approval sample is the version the buyer may approve as a sample reference for the next project discussion, with any open items named clearly.

What does PPS mean in plush sampling?

PPS is often used as shorthand for pre-production sample, but the exact meaning can vary by project or supplier. Buyers should ask what PPS means before approving it.

Is a reference sample a perfect production promise?

No. A reference or golden sample can help compare the agreed sample direction, but it should not be treated as a promise that every later piece will be identical.

Can I approve production from sample photos only?

Photos can help review shape, expression and visible details. Handfeel, scale, stuffing, color and physical construction may still need physical sample review.

How should I give feedback on a revised sample?

Name the sample version, separate must-change items from preferences, group comments by part of the plush and state what is approved versus still open.

Does sample approval close every later decision?

No. Sample approval helps align the sample reference. Commercial, packing, shipment and other project-specific decisions should still be confirmed in the private project discussion.

Is a repeat order always the same as the previous order?

No. A repeat order can use the previous approved sample and order notes as references, but material availability, color, packaging, quantity, timing and buyer requirements may still need review.

What should I send for a repeat custom plush order?

Send the approved sample reference, current artwork files, previous order notes if available, target quantity, packaging version and a clear list of anything that should stay the same or change.

Does an approved sample guarantee future production will be identical?

No. An approved sample is a reference for review. Repeat production still depends on project details, material availability, workmanship control, packing notes and private acceptance criteria.

When does a repeat order become a new version?

A repeat order becomes a revised version when the buyer changes size, color, face expression, fabric, accessories, packaging, target market, quantity split or other project assumptions.

Should I ask for another sample before a repeat order?

It depends on what changed and how much risk the buyer can accept. If key details changed, a revised sample or reference confirmation may be useful before production discussion.

Do I need to decide packaging before asking for a plush quote?

You do not need every detail finalized, but you should say whether you expect basic packing, brand tags or cards, retail presentation, or gift-style presentation. Box, tag, insert, identifier and label questions can change quote scope.

Is a polybag enough for custom plush?

Sometimes. A simple giveaway or fulfillment item may only need basic individual packing, while retail or gift projects often need tags, inserts, boxes, or branded presentation.

Can this page tell me the final label or identifier rules?

No. Final label, identifier, importer, retailer and market-sensitive details depend on the project, channel and current sources. Treat those as RFQ or private review topics.

Does this page set packaging costs?

No. Packaging cost depends on the plush size, quantity, material, artwork, packaging format, proofing needs, and packing plan, so it should be reviewed with the project details.

Is QC the same as toy safety testing?

No. QC checkpoints help review workmanship, measurements, label placement, packing condition, carton state, and photo records. Toy safety testing and market-document questions should be handled separately based on the product, buyer role, target market, materials, and required documents.

Should every plush order use third-party inspection?

Not every project needs the same route. Some buyers use internal review and shipment sample photos. Others need third-party inspection because of retailer, importer, agency, or internal policy requirements. The stage and report format should be agreed privately.

Can I ask for photos before shipment?

Yes. Photos are useful for reviewing visible details such as product appearance, embroidery placement, label position, packing condition, and carton exterior. They support communication, but they should not replace agreed inspection criteria.

When should QC be discussed?

Discuss QC before production or packing expectations are treated as final. It is especially useful after the approved sample is understood and before shipment review criteria are locked.

Can JWC give final freight cost from a plush size?

No. Plush size helps estimate packing direction, but final freight cost depends on carton dimensions, carton quantity, gross weight, shipment mode, route, forwarder quote, shipping term and destination charges.

What is CBM used for?

CBM is a shipment-volume planning input. It helps a buyer or forwarder estimate space, but it does not by itself confirm freight rate, customs duty, VAT or landed cost.

When can carton quantity be estimated?

Carton quantity becomes more reliable after the plush size, stuffing feel, packaging layers, packing method and quantity are clearer.

Is carton planning the same as import cost planning?

No. Carton planning prepares shipment inputs. Import cost planning may also include freight, insurance, duty, VAT, broker charges, local handling and Incoterms responsibility split.

Should I mention Incoterms before shipment planning?

Yes, if shipment responsibility is being discussed. Incoterms help define who handles tasks, costs and risks, but final freight and import charges still need review by the buyer, forwarder, broker or importer.

Import process · Stage 02 Write the brief & vet the supplier — see the full step-by-step process →

Artwork to Plush Sample Inputs

A custom plush sample becomes easier to review when the buyer separates owned artwork, reference-only images, must-keep details, flexible ideas, size notes and sample goals before development starts.

Artwork, sampling & product details Guide Last reviewed June 2026

In short

Send artwork you own or are authorized to use, plus the views, notes and references that help explain the plush sample goal: front, side or back views if available, color references, target size, must-keep details, flexible details, material or hand-feel direction, logo placement and open questions. Mark inspiration images as reference-only unless you own the rights.

What this page helps prepare

This guide is narrower than a full RFQ checklist. It focuses on the visual and sample-input pack that helps JWC understand what the first plush sample should prove.

Use it before the Custom Plush Brief Guide when the idea starts from a character sheet, mascot sketch, logo, object drawing, reference sample, product photo or rough concept.

Start with buyer-owned or authorized artwork

Send artwork that you own or are authorized to use. That can include character sheets, sketches, logo files, object drawings, original mascot art, approved brand assets or rough concept art.

Reference images are still useful, but they should be labeled clearly. A reference can show mood, proportion, texture, expression or packaging direction; it should not be treated as artwork to copy unless the buyer owns or is authorized to use it.

Character views and reference files

Front, side and back views help when available because plush has thickness, seams, filling and a physical silhouette. If only one view exists, add written notes for the parts that are not visible.

Useful supporting files can include face close-ups, color references, accessory notes, logo placement, fabric mood references, size comparison photos, packaging inspiration and photos of an existing reference sample.

Must-keep versus flexible details

Separate the parts that must stay recognizable from the parts that can be interpreted during plush translation. Must-keep details may include face expression, silhouette, logo position, color family, pose, special markings or an accessory that carries the character identity.

Flexible details may include exact fabric texture, filling firmness, tiny accessories, minor shape transitions, packaging format or final size. Naming the flexible areas helps the sample review focus on the details that matter most.

Color, material feel and proportion references

Color and hand-feel words can be vague, so references help. If a color family, Pantone direction, fabric mood, pile length or softness level matters, say so early. If you do not know the material, write "please recommend options" instead of guessing.

Proportion references are also useful. A character may need a bigger head, shorter limbs, flatter body, firmer sitting posture or simpler accessories so the sample works as a soft product rather than only as a flat drawing.

Sample goal and first-review questions

The first sample should have a purpose. It may need to prove shape, face expression, size, hand-feel, sitting balance, accessory placement, logo readability, packaging fit or stakeholder approval.

Write the sample goal in plain language. For example: "First sample should prove the face mood and 20 cm sitting shape; packaging can stay basic for now." That is more useful than asking for a perfect production sample before the project is reviewed.

File version and naming basics

Keep current files easy to identify. Use simple names that show the character, view, version and date, such as `mascot-front-v2-2026-06` or `logo-placement-current`.

If a file replaces an older version, say what changed. If an older file is only a reference, mark it as reference-only. This reduces the chance that sample notes are reviewed against the wrong artwork.

Good vs weak buyer inputs

Artwork rights	Good: "Buyer-owned mascot sheet; reference photos are style-only." Weak: "Copy this popular character."
Views	Good: "Front view is final; side view is rough; back view can be recommended." Weak: "Use the picture and guess the rest."
Must-keep details	Good: "Keep the face expression, leaf shape and chest logo; hand texture is flexible." Weak: "Everything must be exactly the same."
Sample goal	Good: "First sample should prove shape, expression and hand-feel before packaging is finalized." Weak: "Make the first sample close every open decision."

What this page does not confirm

This page does not confirm artwork rights, legal clearance, final sample cost, MOQ, bulk unit price, lead time, revision count, testing route, certification result or final production outcome.

Those details depend on project scope, buyer requirements, target market, materials, size, packaging, production route and private review. Keep commercial, legal and compliance questions in the RFQ discussion instead of treating this public guide as a promise.

Artwork preparation questions

Short answers for buyers turning sketches, references or character art into clearer sample-review inputs.

Can I start with only a rough sketch?

Yes. A rough sketch can start review if the artwork is buyer-owned or authorized and the unknowns are visible. Add target size, intended use, must-keep details and what should be recommended.

Do I need front, side and back views?

They help, but they are not always required at the first discussion. If only one view exists, explain what is known, what is flexible and which parts should be interpreted during sample review.

Can I send reference images?

Yes, if they are used to explain style, mood, proportion or hand-feel. Mark them as reference-only unless you own or are authorized to use the design.

What should be marked as must-keep?

Mark the details that carry the product identity: face expression, silhouette, logo position, color family, pose, markings, accessories or other features that should stay recognizable in the plush sample.

Should I include file versions?

Yes. Name the current artwork version and note which older files are reference-only. Clear file versions reduce avoidable sample-feedback confusion.

Next Resources to Read

After the artwork input pack is clear, these guides help turn it into a broader brief, sample-stage conversation and material direction.

Full brief

Custom Plush Brief Guide

Use this when artwork, size, quantity, material direction, packaging and unknowns need to become a complete RFQ packet.

Sample Development Stages

Use this after the input pack is ready and the buyer needs sample-stage vocabulary and review boundaries.

Fabric and Fill Inputs

Use this when fabric feel, filling firmness, pose and material vocabulary need deeper review.

Planning note

This guide is a buyer-preparation reference, not legal advice or a production promise. Use buyer-owned or authorized artwork, mark references clearly, and keep project-specific commercial, legal, testing and timing questions in private review. Send your project inputs to JWC →