From Sample to Bulk: The Apparel Production Timeline Explained
How long does it really take to manufacture custom apparel? A week-by-week breakdown from sample approval to delivery.
One of the most common questions from new apparel buyers is: "How long will this take?" Here is a realistic timeline for custom garment production.
The Complete Timeline
| Phase | Duration | What Happens |
|-------|----------|--------------|
| Sample development | 5-10 business days | Fabric sourcing, proto sample, fit sample |
| Sample approval | 1-3 business days | Customer reviews and approves |
| Fabric procurement | 3-7 business days | Order fabric, await delivery to factory |
| Production cutting | 2-3 business days | Fabric laid, cut by pattern |
| Sewing & assembly | 5-10 business days | Garments sewn, trimmed, inspected |
| Decoration (if any) | 3-5 business days | Screen printing, embroidery, or DTG |
| Final QC | 1-2 business days | AQL inspection, measurement check |
| Packing | 1-2 business days | Fold, polybag, carton, label |
| Shipping | Varies | Sea: 15-25 days. Air: 3-7 days |
**Total production (without shipping):** 15-35 business days
Sample Types Explained
- **Proto sample** — First physical version. Checks silhouette, sizing, construction
- **Fabric swatch** — Small piece of the actual fabric for color and hand-feel approval
- **PP sample (Pre-Production)** — Made from the actual production fabric using the final patterns
- **Shipment sample** — Pulled from the production run before shipping
What Accelerates Production
- **Approved tech pack** — Detailed spec sheets reduce back-and-forth
- **Standard fabric** — In-stock fabrics ship immediately; custom mill runs take 2-3 weeks extra
- **Simplified trim** — Stock thread colors, standard zippers, and available labels
- **Seasonal timing** — August-October (pre-holiday) is peak season; Q1 and mid-summer are faster
What Delays Production
- Multiple sample revisions (each adds 5-10 days)
- Custom fabric orders
- Holiday closures (Chinese New Year: factory closed 2-4 weeks)
- Mid-production design changes
BOAZ Production Timeline
For standard blank t-shirt orders (50-500 pieces), we ship within **5-10 business days** from order confirmation. Custom cut-and-sew projects typically complete in **20-25 business days** from sample approval. We provide a detailed timeline with your quote.
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