Against the approved sample
The approved pre-production sample is the reference. Colour, construction, interior fit and the position of the logo are all judged against it rather than against a description.
That is the reason the sample stage matters — it sets the standard the run is held to.
Construction
Corners, wrap joints, lid alignment and how the lid sits closed. A lid that stands a fraction proud is the defect customers notice without being able to name.
Colour across the run
Boxes from the start and the end of a run are compared. Where a run is large enough to cross dye lots, that is flagged before it ships rather than discovered on a shelf.
Interior fit
The piece is put into the interior. A seat that is a fraction tight marks the piece; a fraction loose and the piece moves in transit.
Logo and print
Registration, depth of deboss, foil coverage and any print. Foil that has not taken evenly across a large area is the usual thing found here.
What to check on arrival
Open more than the top carton. Check a box from the middle and the bottom of the shipment against your retained sample, and check them under your own shop light. Tell us early if something is wrong — that is easier to put right than a complaint months later.
At a glance
| Checked | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Lid alignment | A proud lid is the defect customers notice |
| Colour start to end | Dye lots can shift across a large run |
| Interior fit | Too tight marks the piece, too loose lets it move |
| Foil and deboss | Uneven take shows most across large areas |
Frequently asked questions
What is the run checked against?
The physical pre-production sample you approved.
What should I check when the shipment arrives?
Open boxes from the middle and bottom of the shipment, not just the top carton, and compare against your retained sample under your own shop light.
What happens if something is wrong?
Tell us as early as you can, with photographs and the carton it came from. Early is far easier to resolve than months later.
Do you keep a sample of my run?
Yes, a retained sample is kept so a later order can be matched against it.
Tell us what you need
Tell us what you are making and what it has to hold. We’ll tell you what it takes and send one clear, all-in quote.