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 03 Choose materials & construction — see the full step-by-step process →

Recycled and Sustainable Plush: rPET, GRS and Oeko-Tex

The common eco options for plush, what the certifications actually cover, and how to ask without greenwashing.

Artwork, sampling & product details Guide Last reviewed June 2026

In short

The most common “eco” route for plush is recycled polyester (rPET), often made from recycled bottles, used for both the outer fabric and the fill. Credible claims are backed by chain-of-custody certification such as GRS (Global Recycled Standard) or RCS (Recycled Claim Standard), while Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certifies that materials are tested for harmful substances. Ask for the specific standard and certificate, and only make claims you can document — unverified “eco” wording is a greenwashing risk.

The common eco options for plush

Recycled polyester (rPET)	Recycled-content outer fabric and/or fibre fill, often from post-consumer bottles; the most common eco swap for standard polyester plush.
Recycled / organic cotton	For woven labels, hangtag string or cotton elements rather than the plush body itself; tracked by standards like RCS or OCS.
FSC / PEFC paper	For hangtags, insert cards and cartons — certifies responsibly sourced paper, not the plush material.

The certifications, and what each actually proves

GRS (Global Recycled Standard)	Verifies recycled content plus chain of custody, and adds social, environmental and chemical criteria. A product is GRS-certified from 20% recycled content; the GRS logo claim generally needs 50%+.
RCS (Recycled Claim Standard)	Verifies recycled content and chain of custody only — no social or chemical criteria. RCS Blended starts at 5%; RCS 100 needs 95%+.
OCS (Organic Content Standard)	Tracks organic-fibre content through the chain — for organic cotton, not recycled material.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100	Tests materials for harmful substances against limit values — chemical safety, not a recycled-content claim.
bluesign	Addresses safer input chemistry and cleaner production at the process level, rather than recycled content.

How to verify a claim: Scope vs Transaction Certificate

This is where most buyers get caught. A Scope Certificate (SC) proves a facility is certified to a standard — useful, but it does not prove your goods are actually made of recycled material. A Transaction Certificate (TC) is issued for a specific shipment and is the document that links your order to certified recycled input. If you need to make a recycled claim, ask for the TC covering your order, not just the supplier’s scope certificate.

What rPET means for the plush itself

Hand-feel and look are usually very close to standard polyester, but confirm it on the physical sample.
Batch-to-batch colour can vary slightly more, so lock colour with lab dips and an agreed tolerance.
Cost and availability move with the recycled-yarn market — price it per project, not as a standard rate.
Recycled fibre fill (rPET fiberfill) exists as well as recycled outer fabric; specify which you mean.

Claim language and the law

Vague words like “eco-friendly”, “sustainable” or “green” are increasingly regulated. The US FTC Green Guides and the EU’s rules on environmental claims expect specific, substantiated wording. Safer practice is to state the exact standard and certified component — for example “shell made with GRS-certified recycled polyester” — keep the certificate on file, and claim it only for the part it actually covers.

What JWC can do

JWC can source recycled-polyester options and route a project toward certified materials when required, and pass through the relevant certificates from the supply chain. JWC does not issue these certifications itself, and certified-material availability and cost are confirmed per project.

Sustainable plush FAQs

Is recycled plush more expensive?

Recycled-polyester materials can cost more than standard polyester and vary with availability. Treat eco materials as a project choice to price during quotation rather than assuming they match standard cost.

Does Oeko-Tex mean the plush is recycled?

No. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certifies that materials are tested for harmful substances. Recycled content is a separate claim covered by standards like GRS or RCS. Use the standard that matches the claim you want to make.

What is the difference between a Scope and a Transaction Certificate?

A Scope Certificate shows a facility is certified to a standard; a Transaction Certificate (TC) is issued for a specific shipment and proves that order’s certified recycled content. For a recycled claim on your product, the TC covering your order is the document that matters.

What recycled percentage do I need for a GRS claim?

A product is generally GRS-certified from 20% recycled content, while the GRS logo claim usually needs 50%+. RCS uses similar tiers (RCS Blended from 5%, RCS 100 at 95%+). Confirm the exact threshold for the claim you want against the standard and your certificate.

Can JWC provide a recycled-content certificate?

JWC can route a project toward certified materials when required and pass through supply-chain certificates, but does not issue certifications itself. Availability and cost of certified materials are confirmed per project.

Next Resources to Read

Materials

Fabric & Fill Inputs

Describe the feel and material direction you want.

Safety Testing Questions

Where substance testing fits the compliance plan.

Custom Plush Brief Guide

Add material and eco goals to your brief.

Notes & sources

This guide is general material education, not a certification claim. GRS, RCS and OCS are administered via Textile Exchange; Oeko-Tex Standard 100 via the Oeko-Tex association; bluesign and FSC/PEFC by their respective bodies. Certificate thresholds and rules are set by those standards — the binding text is the standard. Environmental claim wording is regulated (e.g. US FTC Green Guides and EU rules on green claims). JWC does not issue these certifications; recycled-content and substance claims must be backed by current Scope and Transaction Certificates from the supply chain and confirmed per project. Avoid unverified environmental claims.