production samples
Definition
Production samples are actual physical items made from the same materials, processes, and equipment that will be used to manufacture your full order. Unlike a prototype or mockup, a production sample comes off the real assembly line and represents exactly what every unit in your order should look like and perform like. Businesses use these to catch quality problems before committing to a large run of goods.
Example
You order 5,000 custom mugs from a manufacturer, and before they make the whole batch, they send you 10 mugs pulled directly from the production line for your approval. If those 10 mugs have a color that looks slightly off, you can reject the order and demand corrections before thousands of flawed mugs get made.
Watch Out
Always get your approval rights over production samples written into your contract, because without that language the manufacturer can claim the samples you saw were good enough and ship you an entire order you never actually signed off on.
See which terms appear in your contract?
This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.