Most sourcing delays do not come from the knitting machine — they come from assumptions about MOQ and lead time that were never written down. This guide covers the three numbers worth pinning down before you place an order.
1. MOQ: two different numbers
A mill usually quotes two minimums, and buyers often hear only one:
- Stock MOQ — the smallest amount you can take from what is already dyed and rolled. At Yepo this is one roll, roughly 25–35 kg, which is why buyers can order a single roll for pattern making.
- Custom dyeing MOQ — the minimum for a colour that has to be dyed for you. This is driven by the dyeing machine, not the knitter, and is usually quoted per colour. Our standard is 500 kg per colour.
If your launch quantity is small, the practical route is to start from stock colours, then move to a custom colour once the style is proven.
2. Lab dips: the step that protects the bulk
A lab dip is a small piece dyed in your target colour, sent for approval before the bulk runs. Three to five days is a normal turnaround; anything under 48 hours usually means the mill is skipping a step.
Two things to send with the request: a physical colour reference (a Pantone chip or a previous garment) and your light source requirement. Colour that matches under D65 can still look off under store lighting, so say which one matters to you.
3. Bulk lead time and what sits inside it
“10–15 days” is a knitting-and-dyeing figure. It does not include QC, packing or freight. Ask for the ex-works date and then add your forwarder’s transit time.
For stock orders, 24–48 hours to dispatch is realistic when the rolls are already in the warehouse — which is exactly why spot inventory matters for tight delivery windows.
A short checklist for your next enquiry
- Article number and colour reference
- Quantity, in kg or rolls
- GSM and width tolerance
- Destination port and required ex-works date
- Whether you need a lab dip, a bulk lot, or both
Need samples or pricing?
Tell us the article number, target weight and quantity you need. We reply within 12 hours (Mon–Sat) with pricing, stock availability and free A4 swatch cards or hangers (international freight collect).
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Fabrics mentioned in this article
Need the full picture? See all 50 knit fabrics in our complete index, or request a quote — we reply within 12 hours (Mon–Sat). Free A4 swatch cards are available, international freight collect.
Every roll of these qualities is inspected and packed before dispatch: #2527 Brushed Fuzzy Starry Texture Knit (280 GSM), #2538 Silk-Touch Wool Blend Fine Knit (270 GSM) and #2260 Wheat Ear Texture Heavyweight Knit (300/400 GSM).
