Commercial Refrigerator Sample Timeline: From Brief to Approval

Phase one: scope the brief

The supplier needs the product pack, destination, voltage, placement, quantity, target date and brand requirements. Open questions should be recorded so the first concept does not appear more final than it is.

Phase two: approve the design inputs

Confirm the reference cabinet, external dimensions, capacity, cooling requirement, colour, artwork placement, lighting and options. Freeze drawing and artwork revisions before physical work begins.

Phase three: build and evaluate

Inspect appearance, dimensions, function, pack-out, controls, labels and packaging against an agreed checklist. Performance testing should state conditions, duration and acceptance criteria.

Keep visual and technical approvals separate

A cabinet can look right while its voltage, refrigeration package, air path or usable shelf layout remains unresolved. Record the artwork proof and the technical configuration as separate approvals, with a revision identifier and the person responsible for each decision.

For branded work, check the actual print boundary, colour reference, lightbox or glass treatment and clearance from controls, vents and labels on the sample. A visual mock-up alone does not establish a production-ready cabinet.

Phase four: release production

Record approved deviations and the documents that define production. Sample approval should not replace the final specification, bill-of-material requirements, inspection plan or packaging confirmation.

A useful release record identifies the chosen model and drawing revision, electrical and refrigerant version, approved artwork, acceptance checks, packaging method, open exceptions and who approved each item. If a later change affects fit, cooling, graphics or market files, decide whether the sample evidence still applies before authorising the batch.

Put the existing planning ranges on the calendar

MARKOOL's published baseline is 2–5 working days for a stock or standard sample after payment and sample configuration are confirmed. A customized sample is planned at 10–15 working days after technical details, artwork and required materials are released. The quotation confirms the actual arrangement for the selected model.

Keep review, transport, rework and any additional testing as separate schedule items. Their duration is not supplied by the sample-build ranges. Record the responsible person and readiness date for every open input before selecting a launch date.