sourcing · 6 min read
From enquiry to bulk: the real timeline of a fabric order
Most delays are not production problems. They are approvals that sat in an inbox, or a mill schedule that was never checked before the ship date was promised.
By Weft Bridge · Reviewed by our Guangzhou sourcing team · Updated 2026-11
The stages
| Stage | Typical duration | Who is on the critical path |
|---|---|---|
| Quote and mill selection | 2–5 days | Supplier |
| Lab dip | 5–10 days | Mill, then buyer approval |
| Sample yardage | 1–2 weeks | Mill |
| PO, deposit, yarn booking | 3–7 days | Buyer and mill |
| Weaving / knitting | 2–4 weeks | Mill |
| Dyeing and finishing | 1–2 weeks | Mill |
| Inspection | 1–3 days | Inspector |
| Shipping booking | 3–7 days | Forwarder |
Where it actually slips
Two steps cause most of the delay: lab dip approval and the mill schedule. The first is usually the buyer — a dip sits unapproved for a week while the team debates a shade. The second is usually invisible until it is too late: the mill booked the dye line before the PO arrived.
Ask for the dye slot date before you confirm the ship date. If the mill cannot give a slot, the delivery date is a hope, not a plan.
A realistic buffer
- Add one week for a first order with a new mill.
- Add two weeks if the shade is difficult or the finishing is unusual.
- Add the Chinese New Year shutdown if your window overlaps it — factories close for two to four weeks.
- Do not compress the inspection stage; that is where problems are caught cheaply.
FAQ
Can a fabric order be done in four weeks?
For a stock quality in a stock colour, sometimes. For a new shade on a new quality, rarely.
What is the biggest schedule risk?
A promised ship date that was never checked against the mill dye schedule.