Every quotation promises a lead time; few suppliers publish what actually happened. These are SEAMDANCE's own figures: the sample and bulk lead times we work to on each route, and how about 350 bulk orders from 2024 to 2026 shipped against the date agreed with the buyer.
The short answer
- Samples: stock styles in 3–4 days; a custom first sample in about 7 days, or 7–10 days for a new design that is not complex. Complex new designs are scheduled per design.
- Bulk: 25–30 days for stock styles with your logo, hangtags and wash labels, 6–8 weeks for OEM custom production and 7–9 weeks for ODM development and production, counted from the order, payment and production files being confirmed.
- About 98% of our roughly 350 bulk orders in 2024–2026 shipped on the agreed date. The late ones clustered around Chinese New Year, from holiday schedules and late fabric or trims, and buyers were told before the date.
What was measured, and how
The figures come from SEAMDANCE's own order records. Since 2019 we have handled 2,000+ orders, counting stock, custom and sample orders and reorders. For the delivery figures we took only the bulk orders shipped from 2024 to 2026 — about 350 — and left sample orders out.
An order counts as on time if it shipped on or before the ship date agreed with the buyer. Lead times run from the agreed start date, once the order, the payment and the production files are all confirmed, to shipment. These are our own records; no third party has audited them.
Sample lead times
How long a sample takes depends on how much has to be developed before it can be made. A stock style only has to be made up; a custom sample needs pattern and fabric work first.
Sample lead times by type
| Sample | Lead time |
|---|---|
| Stock-style sample, from our ready-to-develop collection | 3–4 days |
| Custom first sample | About 7 days |
| New design that is not complex | 7–10 days |
| Complex new design | Scheduled per design |
Bulk lead times by route
Bulk time is set by the route. Stock styles only need your branding added; OEM production makes your design from an approved specification; ODM adds the development work before production starts.
The date for an individual order is set on its quotation, which comes back within 24 hours, and production is tracked to that confirmed ship date, with final inspection to AQL 2.5 before release.
Bulk lead time, counted from confirmed order, payment and production files
| Route | Bulk lead time |
|---|---|
| Stock styles with your logo, hangtags and wash labels | 25–30 days |
| OEM custom production | 6–8 weeks |
| ODM new development and production | 7–9 weeks |
On-time record: about 98%
Of the roughly 350 bulk orders shipped from 2024 to 2026, about 98% left on or before the agreed date. The late orders were concentrated in the weeks around Chinese New Year, when holiday production schedules and late fabric or trims pushed dates back.
When a delay was coming, the buyer heard about it before the date, with the reason and a new date to agree, rather than on the day the goods were due.
Planning a launch with these numbers
Add sampling before bulk and transit after it. Custom styles take about two sample rounds on average, and sea freight from China runs roughly two to three weeks to the US West Coast and four to six weeks to the US East Coast and North Europe.
If bulk would fall in the weeks around Chinese New Year, confirm the order earlier or allow extra time: that is where our own late orders clustered.
Quick answers
How long does it take to manufacture activewear in China?
At SEAMDANCE, bulk takes 25–30 days for stock styles with your branding, 6–8 weeks for OEM custom production and 7–9 weeks for ODM development and production, counted from the order, payment and production files being confirmed. Allow for sampling before bulk and for shipping after it.
What counts as on time in these figures?
An order counts as on time if it shipped on or before the ship date agreed with the buyer. About 98% of roughly 350 bulk orders from 2024 to 2026 did; the late ones were mostly in the weeks around Chinese New Year.
Why does ODM take longer than OEM?
ODM adds development before production: the design, fabric and construction are worked out first rather than made from a specification you have already approved. That is why the route runs 7–9 weeks against 6–8 for OEM.
Are these figures audited?
No. They come from SEAMDANCE's own order records for 2024 to 2026 and have not been audited by a third party. Each order's own date is set on its quotation and tracked to the confirmed ship date.
How each route runs from brief to a confirmed ship date.
Open the programSourcing styles for your line? The 2026 catalogue lists every ready-to-develop style — colorways, materials, quote list built in.