An OEM luggage program typically starts with a design brief and reference samples. The manufacturer develops a prototype so you can review materials, dimensions and construction before mass production.
For hard goods like trolley cases, tooling is a key step. Molds for shells and frames are produced and tested, which affects both cost and lead time. Soft goods such as backpacks and handbags rely more on pattern making and stitching samples.
After sample approval, the manufacturer moves to bulk production with in-line quality checks. Plan for a sampling cycle of one to three weeks and a production lead time of four to six weeks depending on order size and product complexity.