A launch calendar becomes more reliable when it is built backwards from the date stock needs to be available, not forwards from the day a design idea is approved. Work from your target delivery, then allow time for shipping, final order confirmation, production, sample review and the information needed to start development. This guide uses DONGFAN's confirmed planning ranges without turning them into a fixed week-by-week delivery promise.
1. Define the date that matters to the brand
Start by identifying the operational date rather than a marketing headline. Is the key date a warehouse receipt, retail launch, wholesale delivery, campaign shoot or supplier handover? Each requires a different buffer for freight, photography, merchandising or fulfilment.
Once that date is clear, record the destination, shipping approach and any non-production milestones. These decisions belong in the calendar because production completion is not the same as stock being ready for sale.
- Required stock-available date
- Destination and shipping arrangement
- Photography, merchandising or launch dependencies
- Internal approval owners
2. Work through sampling and production decisions
DONGFAN's usual sample-development window is 2–3 weeks, depending on the number of styles and development complexity. Allow enough time after a sample arrives for the brand to assess fit, construction, fabric and finishing, consolidate feedback and decide whether the scope is ready for production.
After approval, bulk production is generally planned for 4–8 weeks depending on the order quantity. Material availability, changes to the brief, quantity, colour direction and other project variables can affect the confirmed timing, so the quote should carry the applicable schedule.
- Sample purpose and review date
- Time for consolidated feedback
- Final material and trim confirmation
- Project-specific bulk production window
3. Keep the calendar tied to a current brief
A launch plan can only be as current as the brief it follows. If the brand changes the style, fabric, size range, artwork or quantity, revisit the timeline rather than treating the original date as unchanged. This keeps decisions visible and helps the brand communicate realistic expectations internally.
For a more useful supplier discussion, send the target date together with the garment direction, quantity, sample need and destination. The team can then review whether the project is ready to scope and what information is still needed before a production window can be confirmed.
- Use one current project brief
- Record changes that can affect timing
- Confirm schedule in the quotation
- Review shipping and delivery assumptions separately
FAQs
How long does sample development take?
Sample development usually takes 2–3 weeks, depending on the number of styles and development complexity.
How long does bulk production take after approval?
Bulk production is generally planned for 4–8 weeks after approval, depending on order quantity and the confirmed project scope.
Should I set a fixed launch date before receiving a quote?
Use a working target date, then confirm the production and delivery plan after the garment scope, materials and quantity have been reviewed.