Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
The lead time for custom trims has three parts: artwork and quotation, the sample, and series production. At Polkom, series production takes 10–20 days after the sample is approved; add to that the sample time and delivery to your address in the EU. Lead times are most often extended not in production but in the stages before it – an unclear logo file, an unconfirmed colour or a late approval.
The steps from inquiry to delivery
- Inquiry – you send the logo, the type of trim, size, colour and quantity.
- Quote and technical drawing – you receive a price and the drawing the item will be made to.
- Adjustments – we confirm the logo size, Pantone colours and finish.
- Sample – a physical sample is made. It depends on the product and usually costs around 50–100 €.
- Approval – you check the sample on the fabric or product and confirm.
- Series production – 10–20 days depending on quantity and complexity.
- Inspection and delivery – final inspection, packing and shipping to your address in the EU.
Lead times by product group – what affects them
The general series production time is 10–20 days. Within this window, different trim groups depend on different factors:
| Product group | What affects the lead time most |
|---|---|
| Woven labels | Number of thread colours, weave density, finishing (cutting, folding) |
| Printed labels and hang tags | Number of Pantone colours, foil and embossing, new cutting die for the shape |
| Buttons with logo | Material, laser or new die, dyeing to a colour sample |
| Metal logo plates | New die or mould, number of finishes, enamel |
| Snap buttons, eyelets, rivets | Logo on the cap, plating colour, assembling the parts into sets |
| Ribbons and elastics | Jacquard or print, yarn dyeing, width |
| Zips | Tape colour, length, slider type and logo puller |
When new tooling is needed – a die, mould, cutting die or printing plate – its time is stated in the quote and planned together with the sample.
What delays an order most often
- The logo is not in vector. We accept any format, but a PDF or vector saves days of redrawing.
- The colour is not specified. "Dark blue" is not a production colour. Give a Pantone reference or send a fabric swatch.
- The sample is approved late. Production starts after approval, and every week of waiting pushes delivery back.
- Changes after approval. Changing size or colour after the approved sample often means a new sample.
- Special finishes. Antiqued and combined finishes on metal accessories need more operations.
- Seasonal peaks. Workload is higher before each season starts. An early inquiry secures your slot in the schedule.
Physical sample or digital proof
Not every trim needs a physical sample. For a repeat order or a minor text change on a printed label, a digital proof – a PDF with exact dimensions and colours – is often enough. For a new trim, a new material or a new plating colour, a physical sample is a must. It shows the real colour, the feel and how the trim sits on the fabric. A sample costs far less than a mistake across the whole run, so do not skip it on a first order.
How to plan the trims for a collection
A good rule is to start from the date garment production must begin and count backwards. Allow time for the sample and approval, 10–20 days for production and a few days for delivery. If a collection has many trims, order them together. Labels, hang tags and logo buttons can be coordinated in one process so they arrive at the same time.
Example: planning back from the start of sewing
| Stage | What happens | Who is responsible |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Inquiry, quote, technical drawing | The brand sends the details, the manufacturer the quote |
| Week 2 | Sample, new tooling if needed | The manufacturer |
| Week 3 | Sample check and approval | The brand |
| Next 10–20 days | Series production and inspection | The manufacturer |
| Final days | Delivery to the factory in the EU | Courier |
The table is a guide. The sample stages depend on the product and on whether new tooling is involved, so exact dates are agreed in the quote. If the sample is approved straight away, the whole process is shorter.
Repeat orders have shorter lead times, because the design, tooling and colours are already approved. That is why it helps to keep the article code and the number of the previous order.
Checklist for a fast inquiry
- logo file – PDF or vector;
- type of trim, size and material;
- Pantone colour or a fabric swatch;
- quantity per model (the minimum is generally 1,000 pcs per model, often more for buttons);
- the date by which you need the trims;
- delivery address in the EU.
There is a separate guide for labels, including how long it takes to make woven labels: how to order labels. If you are choosing a technique for buttons, see buttons with logo, and for visible branding, metal logo plates.
Polkom – a manufacturer with predictable lead times
Polkom is a manufacturer of garment accessories with over 30 years of experience. Our capacity is 500 million pieces per month across all product groups combined, so we schedule large runs within the agreed lead time too. All products are OEKO-TEX® certified and metal products are nickel-free. Send a request for a quote or sample and tell us the date you need your trims by.
