From PO to Production: A Guide to Lead Times and Minimums

When you’re excited about a new fabric, it’s natural to want it yesterday. But in the world of textile production, good things take a little time—and a little planning. Lead times and minimums might not be the most exciting part of working with mills, but they’re essential to understand, especially if you’re sourcing for a launch or building out a new collection. Whether you’re placing your first order or refining your process, getting familiar with how it all works can save you a lot of guesswork (and more than a few headaches).

Let’s Talk Lead Times

Put simply, the lead time is how long it takes for a manufacturer to produce and deliver your order.  That window can vary quite a bit depending on the mill. For some, it might be just a few days. For others, especially those with more complex processes or a full production queue, it could take several months.

Your lead time doesn’t usually start the moment you reach out. Most manufacturers count it from when they’ve received your purchase order and everything they need to get started. That includes finalized specs, selected colorways, and any other key production details they might need from you.

Once that’s all in place, there’s still plenty happening behind the scenes: entering your order into the system, gathering materials, weaving the fabric, going through any finishing processes, and finally shipping it out. Each step takes time, which is why it’s a good idea to build in a little extra room in your timeline wherever you can.

What Is MOQ, and Why Does It Matter?

MOQ stands for Minimum Order Quantity, and like lead times, it varies from mill to mill. Some may allow as little as a yard (rare, but it does happen), while others require 500 or even 1,000 yards per colorway.

Minimums exist for a reason, they help mills stay efficient and sustainable. Running a production line takes effort, time, and materials, and mills use MOQs to make sure it’s worth the resources involved. For example, a weaver isn’t usually operating just one loom, they’re often running an entire row. Stopping to switch out patterns or colorways too often can slow things down and reduce how much fabric gets produced in a day.

It’s not about being inflexible; it’s about making sure the process works well for everyone involved.

A Quick Recap

Knowing the basics of lead times and MOQs can help you set realistic expectations and choose partners who are a good fit for your needs. Whether you’re ordering a small test run or gearing up for a large production order, understanding how things work behind the scenes can make the whole process feel a lot more manageable.

When you’re reaching out to mills, don’t be afraid to ask questions and clarify timelines and minimums up front. That way, you can find the right match—one that works with your vision and your calendar. If working directly with mills makes you nervous, consider partnering with Kindly Woven. We have decades of experience creating some of the most beautiful collections in the world, offer small minimums (as small as 10 yards for some constructions, 50 yards for most, and starting at 32 pieces for our blankets), and love to collaborate with small brands.

If you’re in the early stages of sourcing and want to stay in the loop with more tips like this, we’d love to have you join the Kindly Woven newsletter. We’ll share thoughtful insights (and occasional fabric eye candy) straight to your inbox.