APPROVAL PROCEDURES & TERMINOLOGY 8/18/2010

Approval Procedures & Terminology

Color Approval – Development & Bulk Requested by: Designer

Cost to: Manufacturer
Lab dips for piece dyes or yarn dyes and strike-offs for prints must be submitted and approved for
each color in each fabric and trim before proceeding with meeting samples and bulk. Proceed
with each submit per comments from Designer.
What will be reviewed:
 Color
What to submit:
 Body fabric
 Trim fabric
 Lining fabric
 Trim items including tape, buttons, zippers, etc.
 Topstitching thread on fabric (will review SPI and thread weight as well)
How to submit:
 All lab dips or strike-offs must be submitted on NPG Lab Dip Submittal Form with all
information complete.
 All submits must include a list of what you are submitting within a package and your
comments. Send the list within an email at the time of shipment with tracking number.
 Yarn dye lab dips must include yarn bundle and a knitted ‘sock’ on submittal form.
 Lab dip for piece dye or yarn dye ‘sock’ must be no less than 2” x 2” in size.
 Yarn bundles must be no less than ½” thick bundle x 2” long.
 Strike-offs must be minimum size of 5”x5” and no less than 2” larger than one pattern
repeat.
Timeline:
 All lab dips and strikeoffs must be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving color standards
and/or artwork.
 Subsequent submits must be submitted within 5 working days of receiving comments.

Fabric Quality Approval - Development Requested by: Designer

Cost to: Manufacturer
Vendor sourced fabrics must be submitted and approved before proceeding with meeting
samples and bulk. This may be available fabric or developed fabric. This can be submitted in
available color. Proceed with each submit per comments from Designer.
What will be reviewed:
 Appearance
 Quality
 Handfeel
 Weight
 Construction
 Wash
 Mill Certificate – vendor guaranteed quality
 Stripe layout – for Yarn Dyes only
 Print size – for Prints only
 Print quality – for Prints only
 Print registration – for Prints only
 Price
 Minimums
What to submit:
 Body fabric
 Trim fabric
NPG Supplier Procedures Manual © 2010 Nordstrom, Inc., all rights reserved. CONFIDENTIAL: These documents contain
proprietary, trade secret, and confidential information which are the property of Nordstrom, Inc. These documents and
their contents may not be duplicated or disclosed to any other party without express authorization of Nordstrom, Inc.
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APPROVAL PROCEDURES & TERMINOLOGY 8/18/2010

 Lining fabric
 Raw Material Checklist
How to submit:
 All fabric must be submitted on NPG Fabric Submittal Form with all information complete.
 Fabric must be submitted before wash and after wash for washed programs.
 All submits must include a list of what you are submitting within a package and your
comments. Send the list within an email at the time of shipment with tracking number.
 Fabric swatch must be no less than 6” x 6”.
Timeline:
 All available fabrics for sampling must be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving fabric
standards from design.
 All developed fabric must be submitted within 4 weeks of receiving fabric standards from
design.
 Subsequent submits must be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving comments from
design.

Trim Quality Approval - Development Requested by: Designer

Cost to: Manufacturer
Vendor sourced trims must be submitted and approved before proceeding with meeting samples
and bulk. This may be available trims or developed trims. This can be submitted in available
color. Proceed with each submit per comments from Designer.
What will be reviewed:
 Appearance
 Quality
 Handfeel
 Construction
 Size when applicable
 Artwork interpretation when applicable
 Mill Certificate – vendor guaranteed quality
What to submit:
 Any trim items including tape, buttons, zippers, etc.
How to submit:
 All trims must be submitted on NPG Trim Submittal Form with all information complete.
 All submits must include a list of what you are submitting within a package and your
comments. Send the list within an email at the time of shipment with tracking number.
Timeline:
 All available trims must be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving standards.
 All developed trims must be submitted within 4 weeks of receiving standards.
 Subsequent submits must be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving comments.

Artwork Quality and Color Approval – Development & Bulk Requested by: Designer
Cost to: Manufacturer
Graphics must be approved before proceeding with meeting samples and bulk. Proceed with
each submit per comments from Designer.
What will be reviewed:
 Quality
 Handfeel
 Size
 Registration or construction
 Artwork interpretation when applicable
What to submit:

NPG Supplier Procedures Manual © 2010 Nordstrom, Inc., all rights reserved. CONFIDENTIAL: These documents contain
proprietary, trade secret, and confidential information which are the property of Nordstrom, Inc. These documents and
their contents may not be duplicated or disclosed to any other party without express authorization of Nordstrom, Inc.
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APPROVAL PROCEDURES & TERMINOLOGY 8/18/2010

 Any graphic including prints, transfers, embroidery, appliqué, etc.

How to submit:
 Graphic must be submitted on NPG Artwork Submittal Form with all information
complete.
 All submits must include a list of what you are submitting within a package and your
comments. Send the list within an email at the time of shipment with tracking number.
 First submit must be submitted in one colorway for quality and size approval before
proceeding with all colorways.
 When submitting all colorways, all previous comments and approvals must be reflected
on all colorways.
Timeline:
 All graphics must be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving color standards and artwork.
 Subsequent submits must be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving comments.
 After first submit is approved for quality and size, 2 sets of subsequent graphics in all
colorways must be submitted.

Handlooms (Wovens) Approval – Development & Bulk Requested by: Designer

Cost to: Manufacturer
Handlooms must be submitted and approved before proceeding with meeting samples and bulk.
Proceed with each submit per comments from Designer.
What will be reviewed:
 Color
 Appearance
 Construction
 Stripe or Pattern layout
What to submit:
 Exact request as per Designer.
How to submit:
 All fabric must be submitted on NPG Artwork Submittal Form with all information
complete.
 All submits must include a list of what you are submitting within a package and your
comments. Send the list within an email at the time of shipment with tracking number.
 Handloom must be no less than 6” x 6”.
Timeline:
 Handlooms must be submitted within 4 weeks of receiving CAD.

Proto Sample Approval - Development Requested by: Designer

Cost to: Manufacturer
A Proto Sample must be submitted for any new style. Proceed with next submit per comments
from Designer.
What will be reviewed:
 Construction
 Style Details
 Graphic placement
 Fit
 Appropriateness of Fabrication
What to submit:
 Proto Sample – submit in base size in reserved proto sample yardage.
How to submit:
 Each sample must be submitted with the Approval Fit Worksheet with the manufacturer’s
measurement findings.

NPG Supplier Procedures Manual © 2010 Nordstrom, Inc., all rights reserved. CONFIDENTIAL: These documents contain
proprietary, trade secret, and confidential information which are the property of Nordstrom, Inc. These documents and
their contents may not be duplicated or disclosed to any other party without express authorization of Nordstrom, Inc.
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APPROVAL PROCEDURES & TERMINOLOGY 8/18/2010

 Each sample must be submitted with sample ticket attached with all information
complete.
 All submits must include a list of what you are submitting within a package and your
comments. Send the list within an email at the time of shipment with tracking number.

Timeline:
 1st Proto must be submitted within 4 weeks of receiving Development Specification
Package.

Meeting Sample Approval - Development Requested by: Designer

Cost to: Manufacturer
A Meeting Sample must be submitted for proto styles that have been approved for buy meeting.
Buy meeting samples will be used to sell product to retail buyers for selected deliveries. Product
execution is critical for good representation to buyers for their review and selection.
What will be reviewed:
 Fit
 Measurements
 Construction
 Style Details
 Label and Logo placement
 Graphic placement
What to submit:
 Meeting Sample – submit in base size in approved fabrication and trims
How to submit:
 Each sample must be submitted with the Approval Fit Worksheet with the manufacturer’s
measurement findings.
 Each sample must be submitted with sample ticket attached with all information complete
at inside left armhole or waistband / sideseam join.
 All submits must include a list of what you are submitting within a package and your
comments. Send the list within an email at the time of shipment with tracking number.
Timeline:
 Meeting sample must be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving Proto comments and
minimum of 2 weeks prior to buy meeting.

Bulk Color and Fabric Approval Requested by: Designer

Cost to: Manufacturer
Bulk fabric in each color and each fabric must be submitted and approved before proceeding with
bulk production. Proceed per comments from Designer.
What will be reviewed:
 Color
 Appearance
 Quality
 Handfeel
 Weight
 Construction
 Stripe layout – Yarn Dyes only
 Print size – Prints only
 Print quality – Prints only
 Print registration – Prints only
 Shade Band for repeat styles and bulk lot variations
What to submit:
 Cutting of any bulk fabric used for body

NPG Supplier Procedures Manual © 2010 Nordstrom, Inc., all rights reserved. CONFIDENTIAL: These documents contain
proprietary, trade secret, and confidential information which are the property of Nordstrom, Inc. These documents and
their contents may not be duplicated or disclosed to any other party without express authorization of Nordstrom, Inc.
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APPROVAL PROCEDURES & TERMINOLOGY 8/18/2010

 Cutting of any bulk fabric used for trim

How to submit:
 Bulk fabric must be submitted on NPG Production Swatch Submittal Form with all
information complete.
 All submits must include a list of what you are submitting within a package and your
comments. Send the list within an email at the time of shipment with tracking number.
 The body and trim fabric must be submitted at the same time when it is used within one
style.
 Fabric swatch must be no less than 6” x 6”.
Timeline:
 1 set of all bulk fabric must be submitted 3-4 weeks before cutting production excluding
freight time from mill to cutting facility.
 A 2nd set of all approved bulk and trim fabric must be kept at factory with preproduction
(PP) samples for final inspection.

Bulk Trim Approval Requested by: Designer

Cost to: Manufacturer
Bulk trims in each color and each trim must be submitted and approved before proceeding with
bulk production. Proceed per comments from Designer.
What will be reviewed:
 Color
 Appearance
 Quality
 Handfeel
 Artwork interpretation when applicable
What to submit:
 Any trim including tape, buttons, zippers, etc.
How to submit:
 Bulk trims must be submitted on NPG Bulk Trim Submittal Form with all information
complete.
 Set trim to approved bulk fabric if available at the time of submittal.
 All submits must include a list of what you are submitting within a package and your
comments. Send the list within an email at the time of shipment with tracking number.
 Graphic must be submitted on Graphic submittal form with all information complete.
 All trims must be submitted at the same time when it is used within one style.

Timeline:
 2 sets of all trims must be submitted at the same time as submitting preproduction (PP)
samples.
o One set will be sent to NPG for approval. One set will be kept at factory for final
inspection.
o Each set must be grouped together by style with bulk fabric and submitted bound
together.
o If you find any trim questionable, you may submit immediately without holding for
all trims. Note your concerns in your submittal email.

NPG Supplier Procedures Manual © 2010 Nordstrom, Inc., all rights reserved. CONFIDENTIAL: These documents contain
proprietary, trade secret, and confidential information which are the property of Nordstrom, Inc. These documents and
their contents may not be duplicated or disclosed to any other party without express authorization of Nordstrom, Inc.
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