Samples — How They Work
A sample is the only reliable way to confirm three things a specification cannot: colour and print quality on the actual surface, how the part behaves on your own host, and whether the housing feels right in the hand. For colour-critical branding or a bespoke mould it is essential. For a device integration it is how you find controller compatibility problems before they reach production. We recommend approving a physical sample before bulk production begins, and we recommend testing it yourself rather than taking the test report on trust.
What to test on a sample
| If you are buying… | Test this |
|---|---|
| Printed cards | Print quality, colour accuracy against your brand, capacity verification |
| Branded drives | Body finish, branding durability, capacity verification |
| A bespoke mould | Shape, fit and finish — the sample is the only way to confirm it |
| UDP modules | Enumeration and sustained write on your own host board |
| Semi-finished boards | Fit to your housing, controller compatibility, sustained performance |
| Recording workloads | Continuous overwrite on the actual device for hours, not minutes |
How the sample step runs
- You send the specification and ask for samples
- We confirm the configuration and produce samples to it
- You test them — including independently, if you want to
- You approve, or you tell us what to change
- Bulk production starts after approval
Approving the sample is also approving the specification
This is the point of the step. Once you approve a physical sample, the configuration behind it — capacity, grade, controller, print method — is what the bulk run is built to. If any of those change later, it should go back to you first.
Send your requirement
We reply to business enquiries within 1 business day. If you are comparing suppliers, send the specification you were quoted — it makes the comparison meaningful.
Request a quoteFrequently asked questions
Do samples cost money?
Ask with your enquiry — it depends on the product and how much customisation the sample needs. A bespoke moulded sample costs more than a standard card.
How many samples should I test?
Enough to be confident. For a device integration, test on more than one host unit where you can — controller behaviour can vary between individual devices.
Can I test the sample independently?
Yes, and we recommend it. Capacity verification with H2testw is the standard check and works on any card from any supplier.
What if the sample is not right?
Tell us specifically what is wrong — colour, finish, performance, fit. A specific finding is actionable; "it does not feel right" is not.