The illustration sells the story. The sample kills the story. You signed off on the spec — why does the real garment feel like a different dress?
The hidden risk
A sketch is a 2D promise the fabric cannot keep without coaching. Suppliers shortcut on hidden construction — interlining, under-stitching, steam-set — because they're not in the spec sheet, so the sample quietly loses the structure the illustration promised.
How to judge
Compare the illustration not to the sample photo — compare it to the inside of the sample. The hidden construction has to match the visible promise.
What the supplier must provide
Construction notes that show what holds the shape — not just what shows on the outside.
How DONGFAN handles it
DONGFAN's design-to-production handoff includes both the visible spec and the invisible construction — so the sample carries the structure the illustration promised.
Buyer checklist
- Compare illustration to sample interior
- Ask which parts hold the shape
- Confirm interlining and under-stitching notes
- Inspect a worn sample, not just a hanging one
- Lock construction before next sample
- Reject 'looks close enough' samples