Quick answer
Build a realistic schedule from material booking to inspection and shipment. Lead time includes approvals and dependencies, not only sewing days.
Build the requirement around the finished product
Map fabric, printing, trims, packaging, sample confirmation, bulk production and inspection. Record the requirement in measurable language so sourcing, sampling, production and inspection teams use the same reference.
Buyer specification checklist
- Target market, intended use and retail position
- Material composition, construction and approved physical reference
- Finished dimensions, tolerances, color and workmanship
- Labels, care instructions, packaging and carton configuration
- Testing documents, inspection points and change-control process
A practical approval workflow
- Issue a dated brief with drawings and decision owners.
- Approve critical materials or components before the full sample.
- Measure the sample and review it under the intended care conditions.
- Return one consolidated, prioritized comment sheet.
- Seal the approved sample and update the specification revision.
Questions to ask the manufacturer
- Which requirements affect MOQ, cost or lead time most?
- Which materials require advance booking?
- How are substitutions and deviations reported?
- What in-line and final checks will be recorded?
How a custom RFQ changes the schedule
A custom OEM timeline should show approval gates, not just a production-day estimate. List the fabric, filling or layer structure, colors or print artwork, logo and label files, packaging format and target market in the RFQ, then identify which decisions are required before sample development and which can be finalized later.
- Ask for a sample-development timeline with material swatches, lab dips or strike-offs and revision rounds.
- Request a separate date for packaging artwork approval and packed-sample review.
- Confirm when target-market testing and label review must be completed before bulk production.
- Use a dated golden-sample approval to control changes that would otherwise move the ship window.
This gives purchasing a transparent basis for comparing quotations and helps design, quality and logistics teams work from the same schedule.
Common mistakes
Avoid approving from photographs alone, relying on vague words such as “premium,” or changing specifications after materials are booked. Requirements vary by product and destination market; confirm applicable safety, labeling and testing obligations with qualified laboratories or compliance specialists.
FAQ
When should the specification be frozen?
Freeze controllable details before the pre-production sample, then update the document only through a recorded approval.
Does a reference sample replace written requirements?
No. It helps communicate appearance and hand feel, but dimensions, tolerances, construction, packaging and compliance still need written control.
Can Lemaji assist with development?
Lemaji can review briefs, source textile options, develop coordinated samples and prepare production details for baby textile and gift-set programs.
Plan your next program
Explore our baby textile range, browse more buyer resources, or contact Lemaji with your market, quantities and reference files.
Prepare a cleaner enquiry with the OEM/ODM sourcing and development hub — it lists what belongs in an RFQ before sampling starts.
Continue with: multi-SKU collection planning and building a specification sheet.