How to Order a Sample Before You Launch
By The Merch Counter team · Updated · 2 min read
Before you share your shop, order one of each product so you know exactly what your customers will get. Check the print, the placement, the fabric and the fit. On The Merch Counter, a test order costs only what it takes to make and ship each item — no fee and no markup — and you can test each product once.
Why order a sample
- Quality. See and feel exactly what customers will receive.
- Confidence. It's much easier to sell something you've held.
- Photos. Real photos of real products, in your space, sell better than mockups.
- Display. A sample behind the counter shows customers the real thing.
- Catch problems early. A design that's too small, the wrong shade, or a fit that runs small.
How test orders work on The Merch Counter
- Go to Products → Order a test in your dashboard.
- Choose the color and size of each product you want to test.
- Pay what it costs to make and ship — no fee, no markup.
- It's printed and shipped like a real order: usually 2–5 business days to print and 3–6 days for US delivery.
A few details:
- Each product can be tested once.
- Only the shop's owner or a manager can place a test order.
- You can order before your shop goes live, so test before you launch.
What to check when it arrives
The print
- Sharp edges, no blurriness or pixelation
- Colors close to what you expected (screens and ink always differ slightly; DTG can't always match an exact Pantone shade)
- On dark garments: the light version shows up well
Placement
- The design is where you expected, and the size looks right on a person
- Centered and straight
The product
- Fabric weight and feel
- Fit compared with the size chart (try it on)
- Stitching and finish
- For drinkware: print quality around the curve; check the care instructions
After a wash (for apparel)
- Print still looks good after washing as the care label says
If something's wrong
- Design too small or too large? Adjust placement in the design studio.
- Blurry? Upload a larger file. See How to Make Your Logo Print-Ready.
- Color not right? Try a different garment color or adjust your artwork colors.
- Misprinted or damaged? Email us with a photo and we'll sort it out.
Use your samples
- Photograph them for your launch post.
- Have staff wear them.
- Display them by your QR code.
Related: Print-on-Demand Merch guide · How to Launch Your Merch