Sample Workflow Guide
This guide covers how to use Mac Leather Dashboard to manage samples. It explains system codes, field definitions, status meanings, and step-by-step procedures.System Codes
Sample Number Format
All samples are assigned an automatic number:SMP-YYYY-XXX
| Part | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
SMP | Sample prefix | SMP |
YYYY | Year created | 2026 |
XXX | Sequential number (resets each year) | 001, 002, 003… |
SMP-2026-042 = The 42nd sample created in 2026
Other System Codes
| Code | Record Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
SMP | Sample | SMP-2026-001 |
PRD | Production Order | PRD-2026-001 |
PO | Purchase Order | PO-2026-001 |
JC | Job Card | JC-2026-001 |
SHP | Shipment | SHP-2026-001 |
Sample Statuses
Status Reference
| Status | Meaning | How It’s Set |
|---|---|---|
| New Sample | Sample created, no materials ordered | Automatic on creation |
| Procurement | At least one material is being ordered | Automatic when any material → “Ordered” |
| In House | All materials received and approved | Automatic when all 3 materials → “Approved” |
| Production | Sample is being manufactured | Manual |
| Inspection | Sample complete, undergoing QC | Manual |
| Ready to Ship | Passed QC, awaiting dispatch | Manual |
| Shipped | Sent to customer | Manual |
| On Hold | Paused | Manual |
| Delay | Behind schedule | Manual, or automatic if past delivery date |
Automatic Status Changes
The system changes sample status automatically in these cases:
- When you change any material to “Ordered” → Sample becomes “Procurement”
- When all three materials are “Approved” → Sample becomes “In House”
Creating a Sample
Location: Sidebar → Samples → + New Sample buttonForm Fields
| Field | Required | What to Enter |
|---|---|---|
| Customer | Yes | Select from dropdown |
| Style Name | Yes | Descriptive name for this sample |
| Delivery Date | Yes | Target completion date |
| Quantity | Yes | Number of sample units |
| Notes | No | Additional information |
| Stitcher Rate | No | Labor rate for stitching (PKR) |
| Fuser Rate | No | Labor rate for fusing (PKR) |
What the system does when you click Save:
- Generates sample number (SMP-YYYY-XXX)
- Creates 3 material records: Leather, Accessories, Lining
- Sets all material statuses to “Not Ordered”
- Sets sample status to “New Sample”
- Logs creation in Activity tab
- Redirects to Sample Detail page
Sample Detail Page
Page Layout
Header Section:- Sample number (e.g., SMP-2026-042)
- Style name
- Customer name
- Status badge
- Action buttons
| Button | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Edit | Open edit form for sample details |
| Change Status | Open status dropdown |
| Archive | Archive this sample |
| Move to Production | Convert to production order (only visible when all materials approved) |
| Tab | Contents |
|---|---|
| Overview | Basic info, dates, notes, labor rates |
| Materials | The 3 material cards |
| Files | Uploaded documents and images |
| Activity | History of all changes |
Materials Section
Location: Sample Detail → Materials tabThe Three Materials
Every sample has exactly 3 materials (created automatically):| Material | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Leather | Main outer material |
| Accessories | Hardware, zips, buckles, trims |
| Lining | Interior material |
Editing a Material
- Click on the material card
- Edit dialog opens
- Update fields
- Click Save
Common Fields (All Materials)
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Status | Current status in workflow |
| Supplier | Supplier name |
| Unit Rate | Cost per unit (PKR) |
| Quantity | Amount needed |
| Expected Delivery | When you expect it |
| Actual Delivery | When it arrived |
| Notes | Additional notes |
Leather-Specific Fields
| Field | Options/Format |
|---|---|
| Leather Type | Full Grain, Top Grain, Split, PU, Bonded |
| Color | Text field |
| Pantone Shade | Pantone code (e.g., 19-4052) |
| Thickness | Number in mm (e.g., 1.2) |
| Finish | Matte, Glossy, Semi-Gloss, Embossed |
Accessories-Specific Fields
| Field | Options/Format |
|---|---|
| Accessory Type | Zipper, Buckle, Snap, D-Ring, Rivet, Clasp, Other |
| Brand | Text field (e.g., YKK) |
| Model | Text field (e.g., #5 Metal) |
| Specifications | Text field for details |
Lining-Specific Fields
| Field | Options/Format |
|---|---|
| Lining Type | Cotton, Polyester, Suede, Satin, Canvas |
| Weight | Number in GSM |
| Composition | Text field (e.g., 100% Cotton) |
Material Statuses
Status Reference
| Status | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Not Ordered | Default state | Material not yet ordered |
| Ordered | PO sent to supplier | After placing order |
| Started | Supplier is working on it | When supplier confirms production started |
| In Transit | Shipped from supplier | When tracking shows shipped |
| In House | Physically received at factory | When material arrives |
| Approved | Passed quality check | After inspecting and accepting |
| Delay | Running late | When behind expected delivery |
| On Hold | Paused | When waiting on something |
| Sent Back | Returned to supplier | If material rejected |
Status Flow
Normal flow: Not Ordered → Ordered → Started → In Transit → In House → Approved Exception paths:- Delay: Can occur from Ordered, Started, or In Transit
- Sent Back: From In House, returns to Ordered when replacement ships
- On Hold: Can pause from Not Ordered or Ordered
Changing Statuses
To Change Sample Status
1
Open sample
Go to Samples → Click on the sample
2
Click status badge or Change Status button
Located in the header area
3
Select new status
Choose from dropdown
4
Add note (optional)
Explain the change if needed
To Change Material Status
1
Open sample
Go to Samples → Click on the sample
2
Go to Materials tab
Click Materials in the tab bar
3
Click on the material card
Leather, Accessories, or Lining
4
Change Status field
Select new status from dropdown
5
Update related fields
If changing to “Ordered”: enter Supplier, Unit Rate, Expected Delivery
If changing to “In House”: enter Actual Delivery
6
Save
Click Save button
Files Section
Location: Sample Detail → Files tabFile Categories
| Category | Use For |
|---|---|
| Worksheets | Tech packs, specifications, patterns |
| Images | Product photos, reference images, swatches |
| Comments | Customer feedback, notes, markups |
| Purchase Orders | Supplier PO documents |
Uploading Files
1
Go to Files tab
Sample Detail → Files
2
Click Upload or drag file
Upload button or drag-and-drop area
3
Select category
Choose: Worksheets, Images, Comments, or Purchase Orders
4
Add description (optional)
Brief description of the file
5
Click Upload
File uploads and appears in list
Supported Formats
| Category | Formats |
|---|---|
| Worksheets | PDF, XLSX, XLS, DOCX, DOC |
| Images | PNG, JPG, JPEG, WEBP, GIF |
| Comments | PDF, DOCX, TXT |
| Purchase Orders | PDF, XLSX |
File Versioning
When you upload a new version of a file:- New file is marked as Latest
- Previous file is marked as Previous
- Both versions are kept
Landed Cost Section
Location: Sample Detail page → Landed Cost card (below tabs)Fields
| Field | Description | Editable |
|---|---|---|
| Materials Cost | Sum of all 3 material costs | Auto-calculated |
| Stitcher Rate | Rate per unit for stitching | Yes |
| Fuser Rate | Rate per unit for fusing | Yes |
| Labor Cost | (Stitcher + Fuser) × Quantity | Auto-calculated |
| Additional Costs | Other costs you add | Yes |
| Total Cost | Materials + Labor + Additional | Auto-calculated |
| Per Unit Cost | Total ÷ Quantity | Auto-calculated |
Currency Display
Costs display in both:- PKR (Pakistani Rupee) - primary
- GBP (British Pound) - converted
Calculation
Converting to Production
Button Location: Sample Detail → Header → Move to ProductionConversion Steps
1
Verify materials
Check all 3 materials show “Approved” status
2
Click Move to Production
Button in sample header
3
Enter production details
- Quantity (total units)
- Size breakdown (if applicable)
- Delivery date
- Customer PO number
4
Confirm
Click Confirm to create production order
What Gets Created
The system automatically:
- Creates new production order (PRD-YYYY-XXX)
- Copies sample details, material specs, labor rates
- Links production order to this sample
- Sample remains viewable as reference
Common Scenarios
| Situation | Action in App |
|---|---|
| Material arrived at factory | Materials tab → Click material → Status = “In House” → Save |
| Material passed inspection | Materials tab → Click material → Status = “Approved” → Save |
| Supplier reports delay | Materials tab → Click material → Status = “Delay” → Update Expected Delivery → Save |
| Material failed QC | Materials tab → Click material → Status = “Sent Back” → Add note → Save |
| Need to pause sample | Header → Change Status → “On Hold” → Add note |
| Sample manufacturing started | Header → Change Status → “Production” |
| Sample finished, needs QC | Header → Change Status → “Inspection” |
| Sample passed QC | Header → Change Status → “Ready to Ship” |
| Sample dispatched | Header → Change Status → “Shipped” → Add tracking to notes |
| Customer approved, ready for bulk | Header → Move to Production → Enter details → Confirm |
| Customer wants changes | Add note with changes → Status = “On Hold” if pausing |
| Sample cancelled | Header → Archive → Select reason |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| ”Move to Production” button not visible | Not all materials are “Approved” | Change all 3 materials to “Approved” status |
| Sample stuck on “New Sample” | No materials have been ordered | Change at least one material to “Ordered” |
| Sample stuck on “Procurement” | Materials not all approved | Approve remaining materials |
| Can’t change material status | Dialog not saving | Check required fields are filled |
| File won’t upload | File too large | Reduce file size to under 25MB |
| File won’t upload | Unsupported format | Convert to supported format |
| Landed cost showing wrong | Material costs not entered | Enter Unit Rate and Quantity for each material |
| Customer not in dropdown | Customer not added to system | Contact admin to add customer |
Quick Reference
Button Locations
| Action | Location |
|---|---|
| Create new sample | Sidebar → Samples → + New Sample |
| Edit sample details | Sample Detail → Edit button |
| Change sample status | Sample Detail → Status badge or Change Status button |
| Edit material | Sample Detail → Materials tab → Click card |
| Upload file | Sample Detail → Files tab → Upload |
| View activity log | Sample Detail → Activity tab |
| Convert to production | Sample Detail → Move to Production button |
| Archive sample | Sample Detail → Archive button |
Status Colors
| Status | Color |
|---|---|
| New Sample | Gray |
| Procurement | Blue |
| In House | Purple |
| Production | Orange |
| Inspection | Yellow |
| Ready to Ship | Teal |
| Shipped | Green |
| On Hold | Gray |
| Delay | Red |