OEM vs ODM Drawstring Bag Manufacturing
Choose OEM drawstring bag manufacturing when your brand needs to control the product definition: intended use, dimensions, construction, materials, closure, artwork and acceptance criteria. Choose ODM when a supplier-controlled base design or development concept is a useful starting point and your team is prepared to define which parts may be adapted. Use a hybrid route when the buyer owns the product intent and brand assets but wants the supplier to engineer selected components.
Those labels do not settle the project by themselves. A purchase order marked “OEM” does not prove that the buyer owns every pattern, and an “ODM” quotation does not explain whether the base style is exclusive, licensed, non-exclusive or simply an existing production reference. For custom drawstring bags, the reliable choice comes from a written route charter that identifies who proposes, approves, owns and records each design layer.
| Decision | OEM-led route | ODM-led route | Hybrid route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product starting point | Buyer brief, drawing, sample or controlled tech pack | Supplier base construction or supplier-developed concept | Buyer product intent plus supplier engineering for selected modules |
| Design authority | Buyer normally retains final product authority | Divided according to permitted changes and agreement | Assigned layer by layer |
| Supplier contribution | Feasibility, pattern engineering, sampling and production execution | Base design, option development, adaptation and production | Defined development tasks plus production |
| Buyer contribution | Complete requirements, approvals, brand files and market obligations | Selection, brand direction, use case and approvals | Requirements and approval of jointly developed interfaces |
| IP question | Confirm rights to buyer files and ownership of supplier-created outputs | Confirm rights to use, modify,commercialize and reorder the base design | Separate background IP from newly created project IP |
| Main risk | Incomplete buyer specification treated as finished | Existing style mistaken for an exclusive design | Responsibilities become blurred between teams |
1.OEM and ODM are route labels, not complete specifications
In bag sourcing, OEM and ODM are widely used commercial terms rather than universal technical grades. Two suppliers can offer “OEM” while taking very different responsibility for patterns, material selection, testing or packaging. Two ODM offers can differ even more: one may permit only color and logo changes, while another includes structural development.
Define the route by deliverables instead of relying on the acronym. At minimum, record the starting information, design tasks, approval owner, ownership or license, sample stages, bulk release standard, change authority and files that must be returned at the end of the relationship.
The broader OEM vs ODM bag manufacturing guide explains the category-level distinction. This guide goes deeper into the drawstring bag interfaces that make responsibility easy to misread.
2. Identify the actual development starting point
Many projects are neither pure OEM nor pure ODM. Use the closest of four starting states before requesting a quotation.
| Starting state | What the buyer already has | What the supplier must add | Most accurate route description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production-ready definition | Controlled measurements, BOM, construction, artwork and acceptance plan | Feasibility review, production settings and execution | Buyer-led OEM |
| Appearance concept plus requirements | Sketch, contents, brand direction and performance needs | Pattern, construction, materials and manufacturing details | Co-engineered OEM |
| Existing physical reference | A supplier or market sample that is close to the need | Rights check, permitted modifications and new approval standard | Adapted ODM or reference-based custom development |
| Desired outcome only | Use case, target market, positioning and constraints | Concept options, engineering, samples and documentation | Supplier-led ODM, subject to agreed scope |
A photograph is not a production-ready definition. It cannot reveal material composition, weight, internal seam construction, tolerances, cord diameter, channel allowance or ownership. Likewise, a supplier sample is not permission to copy a third party’s protected appearance or artwork.
3.Use a route charter before sampling
A one-page route charter prevents the development model from changing silently after fees are paid. It should sit above the tech pack and commercial quotation.
Include:
- the buyer’s business objective and intended contents;
- whether the starting design belongs to the buyer, supplier or another party;
- which design layers are fixed, open or supplier-proposed;
- the person with final approval authority for each layer;
- background IP, newly created outputs and permitted use;
- expected samples and the question each sample must answer;
- the document set that releases bulk production;
- change, exclusivity, termination and file-return rules.
This is a project-control document, not a substitute for legal advice or a signed agreement. When ownership, licensing or exclusivity matters commercially, qualified counsel for the relevant jurisdictions should review the terms.
4. Allocate authority across eight design layers
The most useful OEM/ODM comparison is not one line; it is a layer-by-layer authority map. “Propose” and “approve” must be separate because a supplier can recommend an engineering change without receiving authority to redefine the product.
| Design layer | Typical OEM starting authority | Typical ODM starting authority | What the written record should state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product purpose | Buyer | Buyer | Contents, user, selling channel and essential outcome |
| Bag geometry | Buyer definition; supplier feasibility input | Supplier base geometry; buyer-approved changes | Finished measurements, usable capacity and measurement method |
| Material system | Buyer requirement; supplier sourcing options | Supplier base options; buyer selects | Composition, construction, weight/finish, color and substitutions |
| Cord and channel | Buyer function; jointly engineered interface | Supplier standard module; buyer approves adaptation | Cord, route, ends, channel, opening and closure behavior |
| Decoration | Buyer owns legitimate brand assets; supplier reviews process | Buyer brand assets applied within permitted areas | Artwork identity, method, placement, color reference and use rights |
| Packaging | Buyer channel need; supplier proposes execution | Supplier base pack; buyer confirms destination needs | Unit pack, labels, assortments,cartons and marks |
| Evidence and compliance | Buyer defines market obligations; supplier confirms available evidence | Same allocation; ODM does not transfer importer obligations | Responsible reviewer, applicable product, scope and validity |
| Production record | Jointly maintained | Jointly maintained | Approved sample, BOM, settings, checks, revisions and reorder pack |
When a row remains blank, it is an unresolved commercial risk. Add a decision owner and due date rather than assuming the missing task belongs to “the manufacturer.”
5. Define the drawstring bag as connected modules
Drawstring bags look simple because there are few visible parts, but their interfaces are sensitive. A pattern change affects usable space; a thicker cord changes gathering; a coating or dense weave can affect printing and channel friction. Route selection should therefore cover the whole assembly.
Shell and usable geometry
Record finished width, height, any gusset or base diameter, seam allowance logic, channel depth, opening width and usable internal area. An OEM brief may prescribe these values. An ODM base style may provide them, but the buyer still needs to check the intended contents in the filled and closed states.
Cord, channel and end treatment
Specify single or double drawcord, cord material, construction, diameter, length, color, routing, knot or tip, opening reinforcement and any stopper or eyelet. The authority map should say who may change each element and which closure behavior must remain unchanged.
Load transfer and seam construction
A small presentation pouch and a backpack-style sack do not share the same load path. Identify the channel-side-seam junction, bottom or side seams, lower cord attachments and any reinforcement that carries force. An ODM base design should be evaluated for the new load; a familiar appearance is not evidence of performance.
Lining, inserts and surface treatment
Lining can protect contents or hide internal construction. Inserts may shape a round base. Coatings and finishes may change hand feel, print behavior or claims. These are product-definition decisions, not merely aesthetic options.
6. Decide which route owns the engineering unknowns
An OEM buyer does not need to arrive with every stitch solved. It does need to identify requirements and give the supplier a controlled space for design-for-manufacture proposals. Conversely, an ODM supplier does not remove the buyer’s obligation to approve suitability for the intended market.
Use an engineering-unknown register:
| Unknown | Supplier may propose | Buyer must approve | Evidence to close it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact channel allowance | Pattern dimension compatible with the chosen cord | Opening, pull feel and gathered appearance | Channel coupon or complete sample |
| Seam/reinforcement method | Construction suited to material and load path | Appearance and performance result | Construction section plus use-relevant check |
| Decoration process setting | Screen, transfer, stitch or other production parameters | Visual standard, color and position | Strike-off on production-intent shell |
| Alternative material | Available composition/construction within stated needs | Identity, finish, performance and claim implications | Swatch, data and revised BOM |
| Pack-out arrangement | Fold, inner-pack and carton configuration | Presentation, receiving and destination requirements | Packing sample and carton sheet |
The drawstring bag tech pack guide provides the detailed fields needed after the route charter allocates responsibility.
7.Separate background IP from project outputs
Design ownership is rarely answered by “we paid for the sample.” The buyer may bring a trademark, artwork, drawings, reference proportions and confidential launch information. The supplier may bring pre-existing patterns, construction know-how, process settings or a base style. Joint work can create a new pattern, revised closure module or decoration layout.
WIPO’s guidance on IP agreements with suppliers recommends clarifying what each party brings—background IP—and who owns the results—foreground IP—along with access, permitted use, milestones, termination and return of materials. This distinction is especially important in a hybrid OEM/ODM project.
| Asset | Questions to answer before development | Possible commercial treatment to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer logo and artwork | Does the buyer have authority to use and reproduce it? | Limited manufacturing use for the defined order/project |
| Buyer drawing or reference sample | Is it original, licensed or third-party? | Confidential use, no reuse outside permitted purpose |
| Supplier base pattern | Is it proprietary, common, licensed or non-exclusive? | Purchase, license, non-exclusive use or restricted access |
| New project pattern | Who commissioned and created it? | Assignment, license, supplier retention or agreed shared rights |
| Construction improvement | Is it product-specific or supplier process know-how? | Define ownership and the right to use in later orders |
| Sample, mold, screen or tooling | Who pays, holds, maintains and can retrieve it? | Ownership, custody, replacement and disposal terms |
| Photos and production files | May either party publish or share them? | Channel-, territory-, purpose- and time-limited permission |
Do not imply exclusivity from an MOQ, development charge or supplier statement.Exclusivity should define the protected subject, territory, channels, term, minimum commitments if any, permitted exceptions and remedy.
8.Use licensing language when ownership is not transferred
An ODM route may work perfectly without transferring ownership if the buyer receives sufficient commercial rights. The required permission may include manufacturing, importing, marketing, selling, modifying and reordering in defined places or channels.
WIPO explains that a licensing agreement grants permission under negotiated conditions while ownership remains with the licensor; it also distinguishes licensing from assignment and emphasizes that confidentiality terms need a clear definition, access rules, protection measures and reasonable duration. For a drawstring bag project, write the granted uses and restrictions rather than relying on the word “ODM.”
Check whether the supplier may continue offering the unchanged base design, whether the buyer’s distinctive modifications are protected, and whether another manufacturer can make reorders if the relationship ends. The commercially correct answer varies by agreement.
9. Protect confidentiality without confusing it with ownership
An NDA controls disclosure and permitted use of defined confidential information. It does not automatically assign a pattern, guarantee exclusivity or prove that the disclosing party owns all material it shares.
Use a confidential-information schedule that covers unreleased artwork, launch dates, contents, supplier lists, pricing, samples and technical files where appropriate.Limit access to people and subcontractors who need it, define allowed manufacturing purposes, and state how files and physical samples will be returned or destroyed.
For branded orders, also verify that the customer authorizes manufacture of the marks. A purchase instruction or logo file should not be treated as public-use permission for case studies, social posts or portfolio images.
10. Build an OEM approval pack and an ODM option pack
The two routes need different inputs before the first complete sample.
OEM approval pack
An OEM pack normally starts with intended use, controlled drawing, material/BOM requirements, cord system, construction, artwork, tolerances, packing, market requirements and buyer acceptance criteria. The supplier then records feasibility comments, open points and proposed production settings.
ODM option pack
An ODM pack should show the base style identity, known specification, available changes, restricted changes, component options, intended-use limitations, rights basis, sample status and commercial assumptions. A mood board without a defined base design is not an ODM pack.
Hybrid interface sheet
For hybrid development, highlight the interfaces: the buyer may own the finished silhouette and artwork while the supplier selects channel construction and proposes a compatible cord. The interface sheet records what can be adjusted without reopening the buyer-controlled outcome.
11.Match the sample ladder to the selected route
Sampling should prove both product suitability and transfer of responsibility.
| Sample stage | OEM purpose | ODM purpose | Release evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material/trim reference | Confirm specified identity or approved alternative | Select within the supplier option set | Coded swatch and component decision |
| Closure coupon | Verify buyer requirement against supplier engineering | Verify base closure after adaptation | Cord/channel record and functional acceptance |
| Structural prototype | Translate buyer geometry into physical form | Test the selected base and permitted changes | Measurements, filled fit and construction comments |
| Decoration strike-off | Reproduce controlled artwork on intended shell | Validate branding within the base design | Artwork revision, color/appearance and placement approval |
| Complete development sample | Combine approved layers | Establish the modified ODM product | Comment log with open/closed status |
| Pre-production reference | Release the final documented configuration | Release the final documented configuration | Signed/approved sample status, BOM and revision |
The custom drawstring bag sample development process explains how coupons, prototypes and production-intent samples answer different questions. Neither OEM nor ODM eliminates the need to freeze what bulk production must reproduce.
12. Compare MOQ, cost and timing by uncertainty—not by label
OEM is not automatically expensive, and ODM is not automatically fast. The actual commercial load depends on new materials, custom colors, pattern work, decoration setup, components, SKU splits, tests, sample rounds, packing and approval speed.
| Commercial factor | OEM may increase effort when | ODM may reduce effort when | ODM may still increase effort when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern development | Geometry is new or buyer inputs conflict | A proven base geometry fits the intended contents | Structural changes invalidate the base pattern |
| Material | A unique composition, finish or color is required | A current compatible option is acceptable | The buyer asks for a new custom material |
| Decoration | Artwork needs new process development | Existing decoration zones and processes fit | Coverage or method differs from the base design |
| MOQ | Each custom component creates a separate minimum | Shared inputs can be used legitimately | Multiple modifications fragment the order |
| Sampling | Many engineering questions remain open | Fewer base-construction questions need reopening | The buyer expects several concept directions |
| Lead time | Approvals or custom inputs sit on the critical path | The selected base and components are currently feasible | Availability, rights or evidence must be rechecked |
Ask for an order-specific quotation with validity, currency,quantity by variant, sample basis, trade term, timing start event, pack-out and exclusions.Use the dedicated guides for drawstring bag MOQ and production time and drawstring bag pricing. No route label supports a universal MOQ, price or lead-time promise.
13. Keep design review separate from production release
An attractive development sample is not a bulk-production instruction. Before release, reconcile the physical reference with the current tech pack, BOM, artwork, color references, packing specification, inspection plan and change log.
If the sample contains a supplier-selected component that is not named in the BOM, later sourcing can drift. If the drawing specifies a cord that differs from the approved sample, teams may follow different authorities. Resolve conflicts in writing and give each released document the same revision status.
This discipline applies to both routes. The custom drawstring bag manufacturing process maps the later transfer from development through cutting, decoration, sewing, cord insertion, inspection and packing.
14. Define quality responsibility before bulk production
The buyer should define the required outcome and destination obligations. The supplier should confirm the proposed process, available evidence and control points.Both parties must know who accepts deviations and who stops production when the released reference cannot be followed.
The ISO quality management principles emphasize a process approach, evidence-based decisions and relationship management. Applied here, quality control should follow the interfaces created by the selected route rather than depend on an OEM/ODM badge.
For drawstring bags, consider incoming shell and cord identity, first-cut dimensions, first decorated panel, seam and channel formation, cord routing, closure behavior, cleanliness, finished measurements, packing and count. Inspection scope and acceptance rules remain order-specific. See the custom bag quality inspection checklist for a broader control template.
15. Control changes according to design authority
Every proposed change should name the affected layer, initiator, reason, product impact, commercial impact, evidence needed and approval owner. A supplier should not silently substitute an ODM component because it appears equivalent; a buyer should not issue an OEM artwork change without recognizing new setup, timing or sample needs.
| Change type | Minimum review | Typical approval owner |
|---|---|---|
| Material identity or finish | Hand feel, appearance, construction, performance and claims | Buyer, after supplier evidence and sample |
| Cord diameter or construction | Channel compatibility, pull feel, end security and appearance | Buyer product owner with supplier technical input |
| Pattern dimension | Fit, usable capacity, decoration location and yield | Buyer design authority |
| Production process setting | Output appearance, durability and repeatability | Supplier process owner within approved limits |
| Artwork or brand color | Rights, reproduction, placement and brand approval | Buyer brand owner |
| Packing | Protection, presentation, labels, carton and receiving | Buyer operations/compliance owner |
Record a no-change zone around essential outcomes and a permitted-adjustment window for controlled process settings. This preserves supplier expertise without giving away product authority.
16. Design the reorder and exit handoff at the beginning
A development route is incomplete if only the first order can be reproduced.Define which files and physical references form the reorder pack: released tech pack, BOM, artwork, pattern access terms, color references, approved sample record, process settings that can be shared, test/evidence files, inspection history and packing specification.
Also state what happens when the relationship ends. Can the buyer retrieve buyer-owned tooling, screens, samples and files? Does a supplier license continue for sell-through or reorders? Which confidential records must be returned or destroyed? Who can service warranty or corrective actions for shipped orders?
WIPO’s supplier-IP guidance specifically highlights termination and return of materials because continuity can depend on access to physical and digital outputs. Agreeing on the handoff early is easier than reconstructing it during a dispute or urgent reorder.
17. Score the route before selecting it
Use a decision scorecard instead of choosing ODM only for assumed speed or OEM only for assumed control. Weight the criteria according to the project.
| Criterion | Favors OEM when | Favors ODM when | Hybrid signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product differentiation | Geometry or function is a brand asset | Base construction is not strategically distinctive | Brand owns visible/functional outcome; supplier engineers hidden details |
| Internal technical resources | Team can define and approve product data | Team needs structured concepts and base options | Buyer can approve outcomes but needs component engineering |
| Speed to a first direction | Existing buyer pack is mature | Suitable supplier base is genuinely available | One module can start from a base while others are custom |
| Exclusivity need | Buyer requires control over a specific design | Non-exclusive base is commercially acceptable | Protect only the distinctive modifications |
| Compliance complexity | Buyer has detailed market requirements | Existing evidence is demonstrably relevant | Buyer owns requirement matrix; supplier supplies matched evidence |
| Product-family plan | Buyer needs a controlled platform across SKUs | Supplier base can support legitimate extensions | Shared core plus buyer-controlled brand modules |
Document the reason for the decision.If the route is chosen only because of an unverified assumption about price, MOQ or ownership, the scorecard is not complete.
18. Common OEM/ODM mistakes in drawstring bag projects
Calling logo placement “OEM”
Adding a logo may be customization, private label, OEM or ODM depending on the starting design and responsibilities. The label matters less than whether the product, brand rights and approval standard are defined.
Calling a rough sketch “production ready”
A sketch can communicate direction but cannot release material, pattern, cord, construction, artwork position or packing. Convert it into a controlled specification and sample plan.
Assuming an ODM base is exclusive
An existing design may be offered to multiple buyers. If exclusivity matters, negotiate the protected design elements and rights in writing before development.
Treating the approved sample as the only record
Physical samples can be lost, age or hide internal details. Link the sample to a revision-controlled digital definition, component references and inspection criteria.
Using old evidence for a changed configuration
A material, color, print, accessory or destination change may alter what evidence is relevant. Review certificates and reports by entity, scope, product/material, date and order need rather than by filename.
19. Why buyers consider LUCKYSTAR for OEM and ODM drawstring bags
LUCKYSTAR publicly presents OEM/ODM, drawing-based, sample-based and full-custom services, together with sample support.The useful buyer benefit is the ability to start from different levels of definition while still turning the selected route into written product and approval records.
Multiple valid starting points
A buyer may bring a complete tech pack, a physical reference, an artwork-led idea or only a use-case brief. LUCKYSTAR can review the input, list missing decisions and discuss whether buyer-led OEM, adapted ODM or a hybrid development route is more accurate. Feasibility and available options remain subject to the actual project.
Drawstring-specific option coordination
The product scope can include cotton, canvas, jute, velvet, satin, suede-like, microfiber and nylon routes, plus single/double cords, flat or shaped bases, lining, inserts and multiple decoration methods. These are possible inquiry dimensions, not a promise that every material, construction or process is available under the same terms.
Sample-to-bulk control
LUCKYSTAR’s documented operating framework connects requirement review, samples, approved references, incoming checks, first-output confirmation, in-process control, finished inspection and packing evidence according to order risk. The inspection and evidence plan should be agreed for the current configuration.
Controlled claims and entity alignment
Environmental, composition, performance, test and certification statements should be matched to the relevant product, material, entity, scope and validity. Historical or upstream documents are not presented as universal company credentials.
The website luckystarcreation.com operates in the commercial context of Ningbo Luckystar Commodities Co., Ltd. A transaction’s contracting, invoicing and payment identity should be confirmed consistently in the current written documents.
Evaluate the service alongside the Custom Bag Manufacturer Guide and the focused checklist for choosing a custom drawstring bag manufacturer. For OEM scale-up risks unique to this bag type, also read How Drawstring Bag Design Reduces Risk in Large-Volume OEM Orders.
20. Send a route-specific RFQ to LUCKYSTAR
| RFQ field | What to send | OEM/ODM question to answer |
|---|---|---|
| Project objective | Use, contents, user, channel and destination | Which outcomes are buyer-controlled? |
| Starting asset | Tech pack, sketch, physical sample, reference or supplier base | Who owns it and what may be used or changed? |
| Bag format | Flat, gusseted, round-bottom, lined, backpack-style or other | Is the geometry fixed or open to proposals? |
| Shell | Composition, construction, weight/finish, color and claim need | Must it match a specification or an option range? |
| Closure | Cord, route, channel, ends, hardware and expected behavior | Who engineers and who approves the module? |
| Branding | Legitimately controlled artwork, method, size, colors and location | What manufacturing use is authorized? |
| Variants and quantity | Quantity by size, material, color, cord, artwork and pack | Which configurations share real inputs? |
| Evidence | Destination rules, testing, certification or document request | Who determines applicability and who supplies evidence? |
| Packing and delivery | Unit pack, labels, cartons,destination and trade term | Which commercial boundary should be quoted? |
| Rights and continuity | Confidentiality, ownership/license,exclusivity and exit needs | Which files and assets must be available for reorders? |
Use the custom drawstring bags product page to frame the product discussion. If cost optimization is part of the route decision, pair this RFQ with the guide to reducing custom drawstring bag costs without sacrificing quality. For cross-border planning, consult How to Import Custom Drawstring Bags from China.
21. Frequently asked questions
Is OEM always completely designed by the buyer?
No. The buyer may own the product requirements and final authority while the supplier develops production patterns or recommends construction. The agreement and responsibility matrix should identify which supplier-created outputs the buyer owns or may use.
Is ODM just a stock bag with a logo?
Not necessarily. ODM can begin with an existing design platform and include permitted changes to geometry, material, closure or decoration.Simple logo application is only one possible level. Ask what the base design is and which adaptations are included.
Which route is better for a startup brand?
The answer depends on the brand’s differentiator and internal resources. ODM can reduce early design uncertainty when a suitable base exists. OEM can be appropriate when product form or function is central to the brand. A hybrid often protects distinctive features while using supplier engineering elsewhere.
Who owns the drawstring bag pattern?
There is no universal answer. It depends on pre-existing rights, development scope, local law and the contract. State whether the pattern is buyer-owned, supplier-owned, assigned, licensed or accessible only for specified production and reorders.
Does paying a sample charge transfer the design rights?
Do not assume so. A sample charge may cover materials, setup and development labor without assigning IP. Ownership, license, custody and permitted use should be stated separately.
Which route has the lower MOQ?
Neither label guarantees it. MOQ can be set by shell material, color, cord, hardware, decoration, packaging or variant splits. A compatible ODM base may reduce some setup, but extensive modifications can create new minimums.
Is ODM automatically faster than OEM?
Only when the base design, components, rights and evidence are genuinely usable for the project. New colors, materials, structural changes or repeated concept rounds can remove the timing advantage. Confirm the current critical path in writing.
How do we prevent the supplier from changing an ODM component?
Approve the final BOM and physical/digital references, define substitution approval, identify first-output checks and record every authorized change. An ODM origin does not justify silent variation after approval.
Can the buyer move an ODM product to another supplier later?
Only if the buyer owns the necessary outputs or holds rights that permit that use. Review the base design, new patterns, files, tooling, license, confidentiality and termination terms before the first order.
Can LUCKYSTAR guarantee exclusivity or a universal OEM/ODM timeline?
No such term should be inferred from this article. LUCKYSTAR can discuss project-specific development, commercial and rights requirements. Exclusivity, schedule, MOQ, price, evidence and deliverables require current written confirmation for the selected configuration.
22. Choose the route by control, not by acronym
OEM is the stronger fit when the buyer needs authority over a defined drawstring bag. ODM is useful when a supplier’s legitimate base design and development input reduce unnecessary reinvention. Hybrid development is often the most accurate description when authority is divided across geometry, closure, materials, decoration and production engineering.
Whichever route you select, record four verbs for every important output: who proposes it, who approves it, who owns or licenses it, and who maintains the production record. That clarity protects the sample, the first bulk order and every reorder that follows.
