SOP-OM-17 · Shipment Sample (Gold Seal) Approval
Scope
Scope: Covers the end-to-end Shipment Sample (Gold Seal) Approval process, from representative sample selection and technical checks through approval, customer submission, and shipment clearance.
Purpose: Ensures Gold Seal samples accurately represent bulk production and meet applicable fit, quality, measurement, labelling, packaging, testing, and customer requirements before shipment.
Owner: DMR owns and coordinates the Shipment Sample (Gold Seal) Approval process, including sample selection, cross-functional review, customer submission, approval follow-up, and CRM records.
Applies to: Applies to FT, GT, PMR, QA, and relevant vendors/factories involved in Gold Seal sample preparation, inspection, approval, and shipment activities.
Process
-
PMR — Do not request a new GS sample for repeat orders of styles shipped within the last 6 months
-
PMR — Once production has started, send the required number of representative samples from the line to the office; the hanger and label details must be identical to the product in store
- Some customers check the gold themselves. Shipment is made after that check. We are applying supplier empowerment, which contradicts this strategy.
-
GT — MR and GT check the fit, quality, workmanship, wash care instructions and labels on the Gold Seal sample
- The notes above regarding GS sample selection apply.
-
FT — Do not send GS samples to the customer before the bulk, AAL and chemical tests are completed (samples must not be released before the tests are finished) (See GL-OM-04 In-House Tests — R1)
-
PMR — The GS sample quantity and size range must comply with the customer's requirements
-
PMR — Do not send GS samples without a matching reference sample at the office
-
PMR — Take GS samples from the beginning of production (from the first 500 pieces)
-
PMR — If the check shows that the GS samples do not represent bulk production, stop the relevant production order immediately
-
PMR — Do not process samples that do not meet these requirements and must be returned to the manufacturer
-
PMR — For Egypt production, the factory prepares 5 Gold samples from bulk production; SpringNE QA selects 1 piece and keeps it at the factory and follows up that the remaining samples are sent to the Turkey office (See GL-OM-06 Weekly Production Report (WPR) & Meetings — R3)
-
GT — Once the Gold Seal approval e-mail is received from the Istanbul GT team for the sample selected in Egypt, the Gold Seal tag is attached with the date and signature
- *For Tesco Approved stamp on sample card, others add tag.
-
PMR — Send the samples out to the customer
-
PMR — If the sample is rejected, the process returns to the beginning (See GL-OM-02 Sampling Rules — R6)
-
GT — The measurement chart must always accompany the samples; it must show the manufacturer's measurement results together with the name, surname and signature of the person measuring/checking
-
GT — Carry out the necessary checks in line with the customer standard before passing the samples to the garment tech (See GL-OM-02 Sampling Rules — R1)
- Accuracy of the quantity received.
- Fabric, colour, handfeel, styling and packaging check.
- Sample card check.
-
GT — Follow up the gold seal approval for customers without self approval
-
PMR — Enter the sampling into CRM (See GL-OM-02 Sampling Rules — R1)
-
PMR — Attach all packaging trims to the product
TU Self Gold Seal Approval Process
-
GT — 5 pieces of Size 12 Gold Seal samples are prepared and front, back and side view photographs taken on a mannequin
-
MR — One sample is kept at the factory as a reference for 1 year and the remaining 4 samples are sent to the SpringNE office
-
GT — Submit the Gold Seal sample and workbook at least one week before the shipment date (See GL-OM-02 Sampling Rules — R5)
-
GT — Gold Seal mannequin fit photographs are added below the Green Seal page together with the GT's name and the check date
-
GT — The measurements of the approved Size 12 sample are recorded on the Gold Seal page in a new column as (+/-) deviations, together with the check date and the name of the person measuring
-
GT — Clear photographs of the front and back of the product on the hanger, the care label, all labels and any additional stickers/cards are added below the Gold Seal page
-
GT — During checks, the approved Green Seal sample is used as the comparison standard and the implementation of the previous critical comments is verified
-
FT — Ensure all required tests (Base, Bulk, AAL, etc.) are approved in the test system (See GL-OM-04 In-House Tests — R1)
-
GT — At the Gold Seal check, verify that the fabric, colour and handfeel are in line with the approved bulk quality (spirality, colour, handfeel, stretch) (See GL-OM-03 Washed Garments Shade Approval — R5)
-
GT — Overall design review, verification of the care label, hangtag, price ticket, barcode and all label information, trim checks, measurement control and fit/hanger presentation assessment
-
QA — After approval, a locked Gold Seal label is attached and the approval date and the inspector's name written on the label
Workflow
Tutorial
This training video supports the Shipment Sample (Gold Seal) Approval process. It does not replace the numbered steps.
Loading video…
Exam
Exam for the Shipment Sample (Gold Seal) Approval process. Take it after you finish the process article, including the tutorial video.
| Pass mark | Expected duration | Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| 80% | About 10 minutes | 1 (one attempt per person) |
Pass mark 80%. 10 single-choice questions, one point each.
Your name and score are recorded and count towards the leaderboard. You have one attempt, so finish the article and the tutorial before you start.
Watch the tutorial video above to 100% to unlock the exam. The questions appear here once your progress is complete.
Changelog
Changelog
| Date | Changed by | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-12 | Order Management | Training video added and exam published. |
| 2026-09-30 | Order Management | Added guideline references. |
| 2026-09-15 | Order Management | Added related process references. |
| 2026-09-11 | Order Management | Article Added |