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How much does a custom plush toy sample cost? At our factory — Linyi Qiaoran International Trade Co., Ltd., trading as Silk Plus Toys — the fee runs ¥500 to ¥2,000 RMB, split into three complexity tiers: simple designs start at ¥500, medium at ¥800, and complex at ¥1,000, with a 7–15 day sample turnaround and a 500-piece minimum order quantity.
Sample fee by complexity tier
| Tier | Sample fee (RMB) | What fits this tier | Production lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | ¥500–1,000 | Single-color, basic shape, one embroidery location, standard fabric | 25–35 days |
| Medium | ¥800–1,500 | Multi-color, moderate detail, custom embroidery or small print, standard-to-premium fabric | 30–40 days |
| Complex | ¥1,000–2,000 | Large size, special fabric, full digital printing, many embroidery locations, accessories | 35–50 days |
These are real numbers from our pricing page. The sample fee covers pattern-making, fabric sourcing, cutting, sewing, and the first revision round.
What drives the sample fee up or down
- Embroidery. Stitch locations, stitch counts, and color changes are the single biggest cost driver. A 3D-embroidered face with 8 colors costs more to sample than a single flat logo.
- Digital printing. Full-surface printing requires a separate plate and color-matching pass, and only makes sense on certain fabric weights.
- Special fabric. Long pile, faux fur, velboa, minky, or flame-retardant material adds material cost and slows cutting.
- Size. A 15 cm keychain plush and a 60 cm sitting plush do not cost the same to sample.
- Revision rounds. Our 7–15 day window includes the first modification round. Additional structural changes may add a fee — flagged before it happens, not after.
The sample process: 7–15 days, step by step
- Day 1–2 — Pattern and material plan. We translate your design file into a cutting pattern and select fabric and fill.
- Day 3–5 — Cutting and first sew. The first physical sample is cut, sewn, stuffed, and trimmed.
- Day 6–8 — First revision. You review photos (video on request). We apply one round of changes.
- Day 9–12 — Revised sample. The corrected sample is produced and re-photographed.
- Day 13–15 — Approval. You approve the sample, which becomes the production reference standard.
Sample fee vs. your bulk order
The sample fee is fully credited against your first bulk order of 500 pieces or more — the MOQ. Once production is confirmed, the entire sample fee is deducted from your invoice. If no order is placed within 90 days of the sample approval, the fee is non-refundable, because by then we have already carried the cost of pattern-making, materials and labor. This is our standing policy, not a case-by-case exception: you keep the sample, and the fee comes back off your first production run.
What to prepare before you request a sample
- Design file or clear reference photos — front, side, and back views.
- Dimensions — height and width in centimeters.
- Fabric and fill preferences — short pile, long pile, minky, or a specific softness.
- Color references — Pantone numbers or reference photos.
- Certification targets — we hold EN71, CE, ASTM F963, EAC, ISO 9001, and BSCI; tell us your market early so we build the sample to the right standard.
See our full production timeline · Pricing & MOQ · Get a sample-fee quote
