How Do I Start a Custom Linen Order?
How to Start a Custom Linen Order
How Do I Start a Custom Linen Order?
Start a custom linen order by sending a manufacturer an inquiry with your design brief — sketches or a tech pack, target fabric and quantity, and your timeline. At Linenwind, a well-prepared inquiry receives a preliminary price range within 24–48 hours, a detailed quotation in 3–7 working days, and a counter sample in 7–12 days from a confirmed tech pack. The full first-order journey from first inquiry to delivery typically takes 35–60 days, with a standard MOQ of 60 pieces per style per color.
The 5-Step Path to Your First Custom Linen Order
Send a Clear Inquiry
Email the manufacturer or use the site's inquiry form with your sketches, photos, or reference garments. You do not need a finished tech pack to begin — a clear description of the style, target fabric, quantity and deadline is enough for an initial quotation. Our FAQ on what to ask a linen supplier before ordering lists the questions that get useful answers.
Confirm the Quotation and Fabric
Review the itemized quotation — unit price, fabric spec, sampling cost, lead time and trade terms (EXW or FOB). If you do not have a fabric in mind, ask for the factory's stock linen list; Linenwind keeps 50+ linen specifications in stock. Fabric swatches are free (up to 10 pieces) so you can feel the hand before committing.
Approve the Counter Sample
Once the tech pack is confirmed, the factory sews a counter sample — at Linenwind this takes 7–12 days. You check fit, color, fabric hand and construction, then request revisions if needed. Sample fees of $40–150 per style are fully credited back on your first bulk order of the same style.
Approve the PP Sample and Start Bulk
Before bulk production, a pre-production (PP) sample confirms the final fabric, trims and measurements. Bulk production then runs 25–35 days at Linenwind, with AQL 2.5 inspection and optional third-party pre-shipment checks. Learn the full workflow in our factory walkthrough.
Ship and Reorder
After final inspection, your order ships by sea or air. Because your tech pack and fabric records are kept on file, reorders are faster — usually 25–35 days for bulk, with consistent sizing and color.
What to Prepare Before Your First Inquiry
The quality of your quotation depends on the quality of your brief. A complete inquiry package contains:
- Design reference — sketches, photos, a reference garment, or a completed tech pack
- Fabric preference — type, blend, GSM and origin, or a request for the factory's stock linen
- Color references — Pantone codes or physical swatches
- Target quantity — pieces per style and per color (MOQ 60 at Linenwind)
- Timeline — launch date so sampling and bulk can be scheduled backwards
- Compliance needs — OEKO-TEX, REACH documentation, or third-party inspection
If you are unsure how much detail is enough, send what you have — even a sketch and a target price will get a useful starting quote, and the supplier questions FAQ will help you fill the gaps in the first exchange. Most brands finalize the specification together with the factory during the quotation stage rather than before it.
Realistic Timeline From Inquiry to Delivery
| Stage | Typical Duration (Linenwind) | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Quotation | 24–48h preliminary; 3–7 working days detailed | Price range, then itemized quote with sampling estimate |
| Fabric confirmation | 1–5 days | Swatches sent; stock fabric or custom mill order confirmed |
| Counter sample | 7–12 days from confirmed tech pack | Fit sample sewn to your spec; revisions if needed |
| PP sample | 3–7 days | Final fabric, trims and measurement approval |
| Bulk production | 25–35 days | Cutting, sewing, washing, finishing, AQL 2.5 inspection |
| Shipment | 12–18 days sea freight (varies by route) | Packing, documentation, customs clearance |
First orders typically total 35–60 days from confirmed tech pack to delivery. The production timeline FAQ explains each stage in more depth.
Your Checklist Before Placing a Custom Linen Order
What You Can Customize on Your First Order
You do not need to customize everything to start. On a first order, most brands begin with these options, in order of impact:
- Fabric — 100% linen or a blend, in stock specifications to keep lead time short (Linenwind keeps 50+ linen specs in stock), or custom fabric for a unique hand
- Fit — your measurements and grade rules, so the garment fits your customer, not a generic size chart
- Color — Pantone-matched solid colors or yarn-dyed stripes and plaids
- Branding — woven neck labels, care labels, hangtags and branded packaging
- Finishing — garment wash, enzyme wash or easy-care treatment, plus standard pre-shrinkage (first-wash shrinkage controlled to 3–7%)
Custom dye lots, embroidered logos, and fully bespoke pattern development can be added on later seasons once the core product is proven. The customization options FAQ gives the complete list of what is possible.
What slows an order down: an incomplete tech pack, unconfirmed fabric, late trim choices, and revisions after sampling starts. Each clarification round adds days. Sending a complete brief on the first contact is the single fastest way to shorten your timeline — see our tech pack guide for what to include. Also confirm the trade term early: an EXW price excludes freight and customs clearance, while FOB includes delivery to the port of loading — the difference affects your landed-cost calculation.
Common First-Order Questions
- Can I start with a small trial order? Yes — existing styles sometimes allow smaller runs, and our trial order FAQ explains the options for new brands.
- Do I need to travel to the factory? No. Sampling, PP approval and AQL inspection can be managed remotely with photos, video calls and third-party inspection reports; most of our US and EU clients never visit.
- What happens if the bulk order has defects? Reputable factories inspect to AQL 2.5 before shipment and replace defective pieces. Our factory walkthrough shows how QC is built into production.
- Do you help with design? Yes, ODM support is available — if you have a direction but not a finished design, we can develop silhouettes, fabrics and finishes with you.
Ready to Start Your Custom Linen Order?
Send your sketches or spec sheet through the inquiry form and our team will reply with a realistic price range within 48 hours. New to the process? Our brand launch guide covers the full production calendar from concept to launch.
Send Your Inquiry Contact LinenwindSource: Linenwind factory operating parameters, Dongguan, China. MOQ 60 pieces per style per color; sampling 7–12 days; bulk 25–35 days; first order 35–60 days; AQL 2.5 inspection; ISO 9001, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and SEDEX certified; 20+ years in linen manufacturing. Related reading: MOQ explained, quotation timeline, small trial orders, customization options.
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