--- title: "Samples: FAQs" shortDescription: Find answers about sample availability, damaged samples, replacements, and restock timelines. articleType: Reference primaryTopic: samples-faqs categories: - Products - Orders tags: - product-samples - sample-availability - damaged-sample - sample-replacement - sample-restock - sample-order - defective-sample - sample-variants - quality-check tasks: - Check sample availability for a product - Report a damaged or defective sample - Request a replacement for a damaged sample - Find alternative sample options - Understand how sample pricing and credits work terms: - sample unavailable - sample out of stock - damaged sample - defective sample - sample replacement - when will sample restock - sample color unavailable - sample size unavailable - order sample - report sample issue - photos of sample defect - sample order number - samples showing selling price - sample credit - at-cost price samples labels: - faq - samples - inventory - orders - support - affiliate-program contextString: Available on all plans. Requires at least one published product. Self-sourced products cannot be sampled. breadcrumbPath: "Frequently asked questions > General FAQs > Samples: FAQs" relatedModules: [] path: frequently-asked-questions/products-and-shop-features/samples-faqs last_updated: '2026-06-23' --- # Samples: FAQs Answers to common questions about product samples on Fourthwall, covering availability, damaged or defective items, replacements, and how sample credits work. ## Sample availability FAQs ### Why are some sizes or colors unavailable for samples? Sample availability depends on what manufacturing partners can offer at the time. A product may be available for sale while certain size or color variants are temporarily unavailable for sample orders. Availability updates automatically and may change without notice. ### Can you tell me when an unavailable sample will restock? Fourthwall does not provide restock dates or estimated timelines for sample availability. Some variants may restock quickly; others may remain unavailable or be discontinued. To see what is currently available, click the cart icon in the top bar of your dashboard or go directly to the [**Samples**](https://my-shop.fourthwall.com/admin/dashboard/contributions/orders/samples/order?redirect) order page. ### What can I do if the sample I want isn't available? If your preferred variant isn't available, you have a few options: - Order an available size or color to check print quality and materials. - Check back later, since availability may change. - Choose a similar product with better sample availability. Note: You cannot order samples for self-sourced products. ### Does Fourthwall offer free samples in exchange for promoting the platform? No. Fourthwall does not run a free-samples-for-promotion partnership. Creators who order samples pay manufacturing cost only, with no markup. A few options reduce or offset what you pay out of pocket: - **Fourthwall Pro** subscribers receive $10 per month in sample credit that rolls over and never expires. - **Affiliate+ referral credits** also apply to sample orders. Learn more in the [Fourthwall Affiliate+ program](/getting-started/general-information/fourthwall-affiliate-plus-program) article. If your goal is to promote Fourthwall, apply to the Affiliate+ program. Creators who hit $1,000 or more in sales auto-qualify. ### Why does the samples order page show the selling price instead of the manufacturing cost? If you see the full selling price rather than the at-cost price, you are most likely on the regular order page instead of the dedicated samples order page. To confirm you are in the right place: 1. Go to [**Samples**](https://my-shop.fourthwall.com/admin/dashboard/contributions/orders/samples/order?redirect) in your dashboard. 2. Check the URL in your browser. The samples order page URL contains `/orders/samples/order`. If the URL does not include that path, you are on the standard order page. 3. Look for the **at-cost price** displayed next to each product. On the samples page, prices reflect manufacturing cost only, with no markup. If you are on the correct samples order page and still see the selling price, contact the Support team at [support@fourthwall.com](mailto:support@fourthwall.com) with a screenshot of the page and the URL in your browser. ## Damaged or defective samples FAQs ### What do I do if my sample arrives broken or defective? Email the Support team at [support@fourthwall.com](mailto:support@fourthwall.com) with the details below so they can review the issue and coordinate a fix with the manufacturing partner. ### What information do I need to include when reporting a sample issue? To resolve your case quickly, include all of the following in your message: - **Order number.** The sample order ID from your [**Samples**](https://my-shop.fourthwall.com/admin/dashboard/contributions/orders/samples/?redirect) page (for example, `#116782`). Without an order number, the support team cannot match the sample to your account. - **Photos of the defect.** Attach clear, well-lit photos that show the issue plainly. Include at least: a wide shot of the full item so the product and variant are identifiable; a close-up of the defect itself, in focus; and the packaging or shipping label if the item arrived damaged in transit. - **Location of the defect on the item.** Note where the issue appears (front, back, sleeve, hem, seam, neckline, print area, etc.) so the team can flag it with the manufacturer. - **Description of the issue.** Describe what's wrong in your own words: misprint, color shift, fabric flaw, stitching issue, sizing problem, broken or missing component, arrived damaged, and so on. Send everything in a single email thread. Splitting photos and details across multiple messages slows the review and may delay your replacement. ### Will I have to pay again for a replacement? Replacement items are typically issued at no additional cost if the sample arrived defective. Your original sample credit or payment won't be charged again. ### How long will it take to receive a replacement? Support typically responds within 24 hours on business days. Once the issue is confirmed and a reprint approved, the replacement follows the same 3-7 business day production timeline as a standard sample order, plus shipping time. If you have a time-sensitive deadline, state it clearly in your email to [support@fourthwall.com](mailto:support@fourthwall.com) so the team can flag your case accordingly. ### What if my sample's colors look softer or more muted than my design file? Softer or more muted colors are expected behavior for direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, especially on neon or highly saturated artwork printed on dark garments. DTG ink soaks into the fabric, so a print on a dark blank often looks darker than the on-screen mockup. This is a print-method limitation, not a defect. The same standard applies to every DTG order on the platform, not just samples. The sample isn't eligible for a refund or replacement, and a supporter order with the same color shift won't qualify either. To decide whether a color issue is expected DTG behavior or a real production error, use this threshold: - **Expected DTG behavior, not a defect.** The print looks softer, darker, or less saturated than the mockup on a dark garment. No action needed beyond the print-method swap below. - **Report to Support.** The wrong garment color was shipped (for example, a black tee instead of navy), or the color is inconsistent between two units of the same product printed on the same blank by the same partner. To get a closer match to your original file, switch the product to direct-to-film transfer (DTFx), which holds vibrancy better on dark fabrics. See the full color-match reference in [Print quality control standards](/frequently-asked-questions/shipping-and-orders/print-quality-control-standards). For a supporter order that hits the "report to Support" threshold, see [Returns, refunds, and quality issues](/frequently-asked-questions/shipping-and-orders/returns-refunds-and-quality-issues).