Outsole Sample Approval Guide for Existing and New Mould Routes
Jinjiang WENCHANG Footwear Materials Co., Ltd. Supplies footwear outsoles, shoemaking accessories and finished footwear for brands, importers, distributors and footwear factories. This guide compares existing-mould and new-mould sampling, explains the conditional timing references, and helps development teams establish an approval gate before bulk production planning.
Timing Snapshot
Two Sample Routes, Two Planning References
The first timing decision is the mould decision. An existing-mould project follows a sample preparation route, while a new-mould project includes mould opening before the outsole sample can be produced. These routes should be planned separately so the buyer evaluates the correct timing reference and confirms the required project inputs.
BEFORE
Suitable Existing Mould
Samples can be available in 5 days after mould status, fit, material or process, size and colour requirements are confirmed.
AFTER
New Mould Required
Samples can be available within 1 month after product information, mould requirements, size scope and review requirements are confirmed.
Existing-Mould Route
When the Existing-Mould Route Is Appropriate
The 5-day reference applies when a suitable existing mould is available for the project. It does not mean every mould in an enquiry is ready for use. WENCHANG reviews the mould, outsole design, material or process and size requirements together because visual similarity alone may not confirm production compatibility.
01
Confirm Whether the Mould Is Existing, Customer-Owned or Supplied by Another Source.
02
Identify the Outsole Product and Intended Footwear Application.
03
State the Relevant Material or Process, Colour and Size Requirements.
04
List Any Testing Requirements That Apply to the Sample or Finished Order.
New-Mould Route
What Changes When a New Outsole Mould Is Needed
A new-mould project includes mould development before sampling. WENCHANG supports outsole mould opening as part of its footwear customization services. The route generally moves from approved product information to mould development, sample production and documented buyer review. If a new mould is needed, samples can be available within 1 month; this is a route reference, not a fixed number of days.
01
Review the Outsole Artwork, Reference or Product Information.
02
Confirm the Material or Process, Colour, Size Scope and Applicable Testing Needs.
03
Assess the New Mould Requirement and Project Route.
04
Develop the Mould and Produce the Outsole Sample.
05
Submit the Sample for Documented Buyer Review and Approval.
Schedule Control
Build the Sample Plan Around Clear Decision Points
A sample schedule is easier to manage when the team records decision points rather than relying on one date. The 5-day and within-1-month references relate to sample availability; they do not automatically include courier time, internal approval, revision turnaround or every activity around the project. Confirm the measurement point and these factors for each enquiry.
01
Route Confirmation
Confirm the existing-mould or new-mould requirement to place the project on the correct timing path.
02
Sample Preparation
Provide product, size, colour and process information to reduce avoidable clarification during sampling.
03
Buyer Review
Check the sample against agreed requirements and create a clear basis for approval or revision.
04
Approval Gate
Record the approved sample and current requirements to support the next bulk production planning decision.
Route Confirmation
Information Needed to Confirm the Sample Route
The sample route depends on the relationship between the product brief and the mould status. Send the information relevant to the sample decision, including the product reference, mould status, size scope, material or production process, colour and applicable testing requirements. This brief supports route confirmation but does not replace a complete quotation specification.
Product or Outsole Reference, Drawing or Artwork Where Available
Existing, Customer-Owned or New Mould Status
Required Outsole Size or Size Range
Material or Production-Process Requirement
Colour Information or Visual Reference
Testing Requirements, When Applicable
Approval Basis
Record the Sample Acceptance Basis Before Review
Sample approval works best when the buyer decides in advance what must be checked and who can approve it. The acceptance record may cover design appearance, colour, size, fit, construction and applicable test requirements. Criteria should come from the buyer’s product requirements; WENCHANG does not assign unverified tolerances or performance thresholds in this guide.
Record the Sample Version and Artwork or Reference Version.
Check Design Appearance, Colour, Size, Fit and Construction Against the Agreed Requirements.
State Applicable Testing Requirements, Methods and Acceptance Criteria for the Individual Project.
Use the Same Reference Information to Guide the Next Project Stage.
Decision Control
Manage Revisions Before the Production Decision
After review, the sample normally has one of three outcomes: approval, documented revision or rejection pending clarification. Record each outcome so the project team, supplier and production contacts work from the same information. A change to artwork, mould requirements, size range or process may affect the route or schedule, so revisions must be confirmed project by project.
Approve:
Record the accepted sample and the requirements that govern the next project decision.
Revise:
Describe the required change, identify the affected version and confirm the revised route and timing.
Clarify or Reject:
Hold the project until the unresolved design, mould, material, size or testing point is addressed.
Further Resources
Footwear Sourcing Resources and Guides
Use WENCHANG’s footwear sourcing resources and guides to support sampling, specification preparation and related development decisions. Buyers preparing a wider commercial enquiry can combine this approval guide with the RFQ specification checklist before requesting a footwear or outsole quotation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Step
Plan Your Sample Stage
Confirm the mould route, prepare the sample information and define the approval record before review. WENCHANG provides one-to-one project follow-up covering artwork, samples, production updates, inspection and shipment tracking. Start with sample development, submit a product sample request or send the broader project brief for commercial review.