How bulk ordering works
From first sample to certified plush delivered to your door. Every step explained, with honest pricing and honest timelines. No surprises.
A smooth process, with you in the loop
Ordering custom plush from overseas can feel daunting. Our job is to make it feel easy. Here is what you can expect from us throughout the whole project.
You Are Always Informed
We update you at every stage, from sample production to the day your shipment lands. You will never be left wondering what is happening.
Feedback Welcome, Anytime
Want to tweak the ears, change a colour, adjust the stitching? Tell us at any point. Your feedback shapes the product at every step.
Photos & Videos Throughout
You will see your plush at each milestone, so you can approve with confidence before anything moves forward.
From idea to delivered order
🧸 Sample Order
We start by producing a physical sample of your design. This is where we get the look, size, and feel exactly right before anything else happens.
✅ Approve & Place Your Bulk Order
Happy with your sample? You place the bulk order. Before full production starts, a pre-production sample is made for your final pre-approval, shared with you as photos and videos.
🏷️ Production Begins + Label Design
While your plush is in production, we design a care label for you that is fully compliant with the law in your target market. Content, language, and format all handled.
🧵 Labels Ordered
The physical labels are produced and sewn into your plush during manufacturing.
🔬 Lab Testing & Certification
During production, an additional sample is made specifically for third-party lab testing. We can test and certify for UKCA (UK), CE (EU), ASTM (USA), CCPSA (Canada), and other markets as needed.
🚚 Shipping, Organised For You
Once your bulk order is complete, we organise shipping. Choose sea freight (most economical), rail (Europe), or air (fastest, most expensive). Bulk orders are shipped DDP to most countries, meaning duties and import taxes are already handled. The price you agree is the price you pay.
How long does it actually take?
Custom manufacturing takes time, and we would rather tell you the truth upfront than surprise you later. Here are realistic lead times.
🧸 Sample
🏭 Bulk Production
🚢 Shipping
💡 Good To Know
First order vs re-order
Understanding how pricing works across orders helps you plan smart, especially if this is your first custom plush.
Test the market without the risk
On a first order, the unit price is usually higher, especially at smaller quantities. A plush ordered at 50 pieces costs significantly more per unit than at 500 pieces, and that is completely normal. Setup, sampling, and certification are spread over fewer toys.
But that is exactly the point. A smaller first run lets you test the market, gather customer feedback, and see what sells, without sitting on a warehouse of stock if something does not work out. Start small, learn, then scale.
Cheaper, faster, simpler
Once your design is proven, re-orders are usually offered at a discounted unit price. You also skip the one-time costs entirely: no new sample, no new lab testing, no new label design.
That means your re-order is mostly just production, labels, and shipping. This is where custom plush becomes really profitable, and why testing first with a smaller run is such a smart way to start.
Build your own cost estimate
Every project is different, so every price in this calculator is editable. Put in the figures from your quote (or our typical ranges) and see your full project cost.
Common questions
What does DDP shipping mean?
DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid. It means import duties and taxes are already included and handled by us for most countries. The price we agree is the price you pay, with no surprise customs bills when your shipment arrives.
Why is the unit price so much higher at 50 pieces than at 500?
Setup work (pattern making, machine preparation, sampling) costs roughly the same whether you make 50 toys or 500. Spread over 50 units it adds a lot per toy; spread over 500 it almost disappears. That is normal across all manufacturing, not just plush. A small first run costs more per unit but protects you from over-ordering.
Can I make changes to the sample?
Yes. Revisions are part of the sampling process. We keep adjusting until the look, size, and feel are right. That is exactly what the sample stage is for.
Do I have to re-test my design when I re-order?
No. Lab testing and certification are a one-time cost per design. As long as the design and materials stay the same, re-orders skip testing, label design, and sampling entirely.
How will I know what is happening with my order?
We keep you updated at every stage, with photos and videos along the way, from sample production to pre-production approval to shipping. You can give feedback or ask questions at any point, and a real person will always answer.
I have a launch date. Can you work to a deadline?
Yes, and the earlier you get in touch, the better. With rush options on sampling and production, plus faster shipping methods, we can compress the timeline when needed. Tell us your date and we will plan backwards from it.
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your project and we will reply within 1 to 2 business days with a personalised quote and honest advice.
🧸 Get a Free QuoteThis page explains how bulk custom plush toy ordering works with Maua Gang, a UK managed custom plush manufacturer producing from just 50 pieces. The process covers sampling (£180 to £300 including shipping), bulk production, compliant care label design, third-party lab testing for UKCA, CE, ASTM and CCPSA certification, and DDP shipping by sea, rail, or air. A typical first project takes 3 to 4 months from sample to delivery, with rush options available. First orders at smaller quantities carry a higher unit price, which makes them ideal for testing the market before scaling, while re-orders are discounted and skip all one-time setup costs.