A step-by-step guide to launching your first custom or private-label pet bed project — what to prepare, what to expect, and how to avoid the most common delays.
Starting a custom pet bed project is simpler than most buyers expect — but the buyers who move fastest are always the ones who come prepared. This guide covers exactly what information you need to share with us, what happens at each stage, and the mistakes that most commonly delay sampling or production.
What You Need to Share to Get Started
You do not need a finished design or technical drawings — but the more clearly you can describe the product, the faster and more accurately we can respond. Here is what helps most:
Product Reference Images
Photos of existing products you like, competitor references, Pinterest boards, or hand-drawn sketches. Any visual that communicates the shape, style, or feel you are going for. Multiple angles help.
Structural Details
Key dimensions — overall length, width, height — and any structural requirements such as bolster height, base thickness, or internal support. If you have a size range in mind (S / M / L), include those too.
Packaging Requirements
How the product will be sold — retail-ready box, poly bag, or plain export carton? Do you need printed packaging with your branding? Are there any barcode, labeling, or compliance requirements for your market?
Target Retail Price / Market Position
The price range you are targeting on Amazon, your own store, or at retail. This helps us recommend the right materials and construction quality — a $15 bed and a $60 bed use fundamentally different specs.
Material Preferences (optional)
If you have a fabric preference — velvet, Oxford, faux suede, sherpa — mention it. If not, we will recommend based on your target price and market. Fabric swatches can be shared on request.
Estimated Order Quantity (optional)
A rough MOQ expectation helps us scope the project correctly — pricing, lead time, and sometimes feasibility differ between a 200-unit and a 2,000-unit run. An estimate is fine at this stage.
From First Message to Bulk Order: How It Works
Submit your brief
Share reference images, structural details, packaging requirements, and your target price range via our contact form or email. A rough quantity estimate helps, but is not required at this stage.
Receive your quote
Within 2 days of receiving complete information, we will send you a full proposal covering design direction (if applicable), material specs, unit pricing, and MOQ. If we need any clarification, we will ask upfront rather than delay the quote.
Confirm specs and pay the sample fee
Once you approve the proposal, confirm the final specifications and pay the sample fee — approximately RMB 200 per style. This fee is fully refunded when you proceed to bulk order. The sample fee covers material cost and handwork for your physical prototype.
Receive and review your sample
Your physical sample is produced and shipped within approximately 3.5 days of sample fee confirmation. Inspect dimensions, materials, stitching, and packaging carefully — this is your opportunity to request adjustments before committing to bulk production.
Approve sample and sign the contract
Once the sample meets your requirements, you sign the production contract based on the confirmed sample specifications. This document locks in every detail — dimensions, materials, construction, packaging — so there are no surprises in the finished goods.
Pay deposit — production begins
A 30% production deposit is required before manufacturing starts. Once the deposit is received, we schedule your order. Before cutting bulk fabric, we produce a pre-production sample (PPS) to confirm all specs are correctly transferred to the production floor.
Pre-production sample confirmation
The pre-production sample is shared with you for final sign-off. Only after your explicit approval do we proceed to full bulk production. This step prevents quality discrepancies from reaching your warehouse.
Bulk production and shipment
Standard bulk production lead time is approximately 20 days from deposit, depending on order size and complexity. We provide production updates and photos. Final balance is due before shipment.
Common Reasons Projects Get Delayed
Most project delays are avoidable. These are the situations we see most often — and how to prevent them.
⚠️ Watch out for these
- Vague or missing reference images. "Something soft and modern" without visual references leads to multiple revision rounds before a quote can even be issued. Share the most specific references you have — even if imperfect.
- No target price provided. Without a price anchor, we may quote a product that is over-engineered for your market, or under-specified. Tell us your target retail price so we can match construction quality to margin.
- Changing specs after sample approval. Once the pre-production sample is approved and bulk fabric is cut, spec changes are difficult and costly. Confirm all dimensions, materials, and packaging details before sign-off.
- Delayed sample feedback. The sampling stage is time-sensitive. Extended delays in reviewing samples push out your production schedule — especially during peak season. Aim to review and respond within 5 business days of receiving your sample.
- Unclear packaging requirements. If you need retail-ready packaging with your branding, provide artwork files early. Printing lead times for custom packaging add 5-10 days and cannot be started until artwork is approved.
- No MOQ estimate given. If you are unsure of quantity but want to start sampling, that is fine — but give us at least a rough range. A 100-unit order and a 1,000-unit order may use different production processes, and we want to quote you accurately from the start.
Pre-production sample — why it matters
The pre-production sample (PPS) is produced at the start of bulk manufacturing using the actual production materials and machinery. It is the last quality gate before your full order is cut. Approving the PPS carefully — and quickly — is one of the highest-value things you can do to protect product quality and maintain your delivery timeline.
Ready to Start Your Custom Project?
Share your references and requirements — we will respond with a full proposal within 2 days.
Submit Your Brief