Order thobe fabric samples from our China mill at no cost for the fabric — you pay only the courier ($30–$60 to the Gulf), stock swatches dispatch within 3–5 working days, and lab dips for new white points or colours take 3–5 days per round. As a factory-direct thobe, kandura and djellaba fabric supplier with ten years of export experience to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, we supply micro polyester, TR, dobby, jacquard and Japanese-standard qualities from $0.76 to $1.80 per meter FOB, and this guide explains exactly what to order, what it costs and how to turn an approved sample into a shade-safe bulk order.
Request your thobe fabric swatch set now — send your target constructions and colours through our contact page or WhatsApp, and we will dispatch a matching sample set within 3–5 working days.
Three Sample Types and When to Order Each
Most thobe programmes only need two rounds of sampling — a stock swatch set to shortlist qualities, then a lab dip or sample yardage to lock the shade — and knowing which one you need saves two to three weeks of lead time. The three options cover different decisions:
| Sample type | What you receive | Best when | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock swatch set | 20–30 cm cutting of each construction and colourway | Comparing hand, drape and whiteness across qualities | 3–5 working days to dispatch |
| Lab dip | Small dye trial matched to your specified shade | Confirming a new white point or a seasonal colour | 3–5 days per round |
| Sample yardage | Full-width 3–5 m piece from the approved dye lot | Sewing a trial thobe or kandura before bulk | 7–12 working days |
Sample Costs and What Is Included
The fabric for thobe samples is free from our factory; you pay the courier, and if you need full-width yardage the small production cost is credited against your first bulk order. What you can expect from a standard enquiry:
- Swatch set — free fabric, buyer pays courier ($30–$60 to the Gulf), dispatched in 3–5 working days, covering the stock constructions you ask for.
- Lab dip — free for a serious enquiry; normally 3–5 days per round until the shade or white point is approved.
- Sample yardage — 3–5 meters of full-width cloth at the yardage cost, refunded or credited once you place the bulk order.
- Certificates — test reports and quality certificates are shared with the swatch shipment on request, so your compliance team can review before commitment.
The White Point: Why Thobe Samples Need a Lab Dip
White thobe fabric is judged on its white point, and a stock swatch photo never survives the dye bath — the reliable sequence is agreeing the whiteness with reference swatches, then approving a lab dip cut from the actual production dye lot. Optical brighteners, fibre type and finishing all shift the final white, so two “white” polyesters from different mills can look visibly different against an existing kandura. When your sample arrives, hold it against your current best-selling garment in daylight before you approve, and keep that approved piece as the golden reference for the bulk order. This single habit prevents the majority of shade disputes we see in Gulf export programmes.
How to Turn an Approved Sample into a Bulk Order
Once the sample is approved, a bulk thobe fabric order follows a fixed path: confirm the specification in writing, lock the MOQ and price, pay by T/T or L/C, and receive production updates until the rolls ship. The practical steps:
- Confirm spec in writing — composition, GSM, width, whiteness level, finish and any selvedge or roll-length requirements.
- Lock price and MOQ — stock programmes from 500 meters per colour; custom colours and developments at 2,000–3,000 meters per colour; prices from $0.76 to $1.80 FOB China depending on quality.
- Payment — T/T with 30/70 split or L/C at sight for established programmes.
- Production — 15–35 days depending on construction and quantity; bulk is matched against your approved golden sample.
- Shipment — 18–25 days sea freight to Jeddah, Dammam or Dubai, with full roll and test documentation.
For the full price table, MOQ structure and payment terms, see our thobe fabric wholesale buying guide, and for help comparing local Gulf suppliers against factory-direct sourcing, read the thobe fabric supplier comparison for Saudi Arabia.
FAQ: Ordering Thobe Fabric Samples
- How much do samples cost? The fabric is free; you pay the courier, roughly $30–$60 to the Gulf, and swatches dispatch in 3–5 working days.
- What is the difference between a swatch, lab dip and yardage? A swatch shows an existing stock colour, a lab dip matches a new shade, and yardage is a full-width piece cut from the approved dye lot.
- Why do white thobe fabrics need a lab dip? Because the white point shifts with brighteners and finishing — the dip confirms the shade against the real dye bath before bulk.
- What happens after sample approval? You confirm the spec, lock MOQ and price, pay by T/T or L/C, and bulk production runs in 15–35 days.
Ready to order thobe fabric samples? Tell us the constructions and colours you need through our contact page or WhatsApp, and we will dispatch your swatch set within 3–5 working days — the fabric is on us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to order thobe fabric samples from China?
Thobe fabric samples from Chinese mills are normally free of charge for the fabric itself; the buyer pays only the courier cost, typically $30-$60 to Saudi Arabia, the UAE or other Gulf destinations via DHL, FedEx or UPS, and the package dispatches within 3-5 working days. A standard swatch set covers the stock programme – each construction and colourway in pieces of roughly 20-30 cm – so one shipment lets you compare micro polyester, TR, dobby, jacquard and Japanese-standard qualities side by side. If you need a full-width strike-off or 5-meter sample yardage to sew a trial kandura or thobe, most mills charge a small refundable yardage fee that is credited against your first bulk order. There are no other hidden charges, but always confirm whether the quote is DDP or DDU so the customs side is clear before you approve.
What is the difference between a swatch, a lab dip and a sample yardage for thobe fabric?
A swatch is a small cutting of an existing stock colour and construction, used to check hand, drape and shade against an existing programme. A lab dip is a dye trial made to match a new colour you specify – the mill dyes small pieces and submits them for approval, normally 3-5 days per round until the shade is accepted. Sample yardage is a full-width piece, commonly 3-5 meters or enough to sew one trial garment, cut from the approved dye lot so it represents bulk production as closely as possible. For white thobe fabric the sequence is slightly different: whiteness level and optical brightener are agreed with reference swatches, then the lab dip confirms the exact white point. Most shade disputes start when a buyer skips the dip and approves a stock swatch never matched to the production dye bath, so keep this step even for white.
How long does it take to receive thobe fabric samples from a Chinese mill?
Sample dispatch times from Chinese mills are roughly 3-5 working days for stock swatches, and 5-10 working days for a first lab dip round plus a further 3-5 days per revision round. After dispatch, express courier delivery takes 2-4 days to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, 3-5 days to the United States and Europe, so a full swatch set is normally in your hands within 7-10 days of the enquiry. If you approve the sample and place a bulk order, production takes 15-35 days depending on the construction and quantity, followed by 18-25 days of sea freight to Jeddah, Dammam or Dubai ports. Buyers launching a seasonal thobe line should start sampling 6-8 weeks before they need the bulk goods to leave time for dips, approval and production.
What should I check when a thobe fabric sample arrives?
When a thobe fabric sample arrives, check four things before you approve: shade, hand, drape and construction. Hold the piece against your existing garment to confirm the white point or colour in daylight, not only indoor light. Feel the hand – the cloth should be smooth without being slippery and recover cleanly from a crush in your fist. Drape the piece over your hand or a curved surface to see how it falls, because the same GSM behaves differently in micro polyester than in TR or cotton. Finally check construction details with a loupe or by pulling the yarns: thread count, weave regularity and edge finish. Wash a cutting once at 40 degrees and iron it to see shrinkage and wrinkle behaviour before you commit to bulk. Keep the approved piece as your golden reference – bulk rolls are matched against it, which prevents shade arguments at delivery.
