Sampling and lead times: where the weeks actually go

Most first orders do not miss their date because production was slow. They miss it because an input arrived late. This is a realistic timeline, stage by stage.

The short answer

A pre-production sample takes 7–10 days (5–7 for sublimation-printed, 10–14 for underwear).
The sample fee is refunded in full when the bulk order is placed, and revisions are free until you approve it.
Bulk production is 18–28 days from deposit and sample approval, depending on construction.
A realistic first order from brief to dispatch is 6–8 weeks.
The most common cause of delay is a late input — artwork, label copy or packaging approval — not slow production.

Reviewed by the SOXMILL sourcing teamUpdated 8 October 2026Reading time: 6–8 minutes

The realistic timeline for a first order

From your first message to a shipped order, plan for six to eight weeks. Here is the breakdown and, more usefully, what has to happen from you at each stage for it to hold.

Week 1 — enquiry to quotation. 48 hours for an itemized quote, then a day or two of questions and confirmation. From you: artwork or a reference sock, quantity, market, and a target price if you have one.
Week 1–2 — specification and digital mock-up. We convert your requirement into a written specification and a digital mock-up. From you: approval of the mock-up, and Pantone references if colour is critical.
Week 2–3 — sampling. A physical pre-production sample in 7–10 days, shipped by express with a specification sheet. From you: prompt feedback. Every day of delay here is a day on the back of the order.
Week 3–4 — revisions and approval. Revisions are free; two rounds is typical. From you: approval against the sample reference, in writing. This is the gate that locks the specification.
Week 4–7 — bulk production. 18–28 days with inline inspection and a weekly photo and video report. From you: the deposit, and confirmation of the shipping address and window.
Week 7–8 — inspection and dispatch. AQL 2.5 final inspection with photo report, then export documents and dispatch. From you: approval of the inspection report and the balance payment.

What determines production lead time

Four things, in order of impact:

Construction complexity. A plain rib at 144N knits faster than a six-colour jacquard at 200N. Cushioning and terry use more yarn and more machine time.
Yarn availability. Standard combed cotton and common polyamide blends are usually on hand. Merino and certified yarns (GOTS, GRS, RWS) carry a yarn lead time of their own.
Order quantity. 500 pairs and 50,000 pairs do not take the same time, though the relationship is not linear — most of the time is in setup and finishing.
Finishing and inspection. Compression socks need pressure testing per batch, which adds time. Rigid gift packaging adds assembly time.

Where the time actually goes wrong

In our experience, delays are nearly always inputs rather than production. The four that account for most of them:

A specification change after sample approval. This restarts the sample chain, and it is why we treat sample approval as a formal gate.
Artwork or label copy arriving late. Labels have to be printed and prepared before packing, and packing is at the end of the line.
Packaging approval arriving after production has started. Packaging runs in parallel with production, and only if it is approved in time.
Certified yarn lead time being discovered late. If your product needs GOTS or GRS yarn, that lead time belongs in the plan from day one.

None of these are dramatic. All of them cost a week each, and three of them together cost a season.

What a sample actually costs

A pre-production sample is not free, because it consumes a pattern, a machine setup and yarn. It is quoted per style and refunded in full when the bulk order is placed. Revisions before approval are free. That structure exists so the cost of testing is your time rather than your budget — which is why we would rather do two sample rounds than have you approve something you are not sure about.

How to protect your date

Approve the digital mock-up quickly. It is a one-day decision that protects a week.
Send artwork in vector format with Pantone references at the sampling stage, not after.
Decide the packaging on the trial order, so the reorder needs no change.
Give us your delivery date at the beginning, not after the sample is approved.
Ask for the dated production plan and check the milestones against your own calendar.

Lead times by construction

From deposit and sample approval. Shipping transit is quoted separately and as a range.

Product	Sampling	Bulk	Constraint
Sublimation printed	5–7 days	15–20 days	No knit pattern round — the fastest route
Combed cotton everyday crew	5 days	25–30 days	Volume run with long machine time
Knitted logo crew	7–10 days	18–25 days	Pattern development plus knitting
Cushioned performance / terry	7 days	20–25 days	Heavier yarn, slower machine speed
Merino wool hiking	10 days	25–30 days	Certified yarn lead time
Graduated compression	10 days	25–30 days	Pressure testing per batch
Underwear, cut and sew	10–14 days	20–28 days	Pattern and fit validation first
Underwear, seamless	10–14 days	25–32 days	Circular-knit machinery, longer runs

Frequently asked questions

How fast are samples and what do they cost?

Pre-production samples ship 7–10 days after tech-pack approval, by express, with a spec sheet. The sample fee is quoted per style and refunded in full once the bulk order is placed. Revisions are free until you approve the sample.

What is the bulk production lead time?

18–28 days from deposit and sample approval. Compression and heavy terry constructions sit at the longer end. You receive a photo and video progress report every week while your order runs.

Why does a sample cost anything at all?

Because it consumes a pattern, a machine setup and yarn. It is not a marketing cost we can absorb on every enquiry. The fee is refunded in full against the bulk order, which means the cost of testing is your time rather than your budget.

Can you produce faster than the standard lead time?

Sometimes. Sublimation-printed styles are fastest because they skip the knit pattern round. Express production is occasionally possible on a repeat order where the specification is already locked and the yarn is available. Tell us the date before you order and we will answer honestly.

How many sample revisions should I expect?

Two rounds is typical: one to resolve construction and yarn feel, one to confirm fit, colour and finish. Complex technical constructions — graduated compression, seamless underwear, zoned cushioning — sometimes need three. Revisions before approval are free.

What payment terms do you accept?

30% T/T deposit, balance against B/L copy · L/C at sight above USD 30,000. First orders from new markets may need a higher deposit — we stay flexible for verified buyers and repeat programs.

Keep reading

MOQ guide→ The 8-step private label process→ Production capacity→ Cost breakdown guide→ Quality control→ Request a sample→

Tell us your date before you commit.

If the window is achievable we will say so, and if it is not we will say that too.

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