The 8-Stage Knitwear Order Flow
A step-by-step roadmap from initial inquiry and lab dips through PP sample sign-off, bulk knitting, sewing, and container dispatch.
Order Stages
Navigating the Knitwear Critical Path
Apparel manufacturing is a sequential chain: raw cotton spinning → circular knitting → jet dyeing → lab dips → PP sample approval → cutting → printing → sewing → finishing → export shipping. Skipping steps or rushing sample sign-offs creates costly downstream errors.
Planning a collection launch date?
Circular knitting and jet dyeing vessels operate on strict 45 to 60-day manufacturing windows. Contact Oger Knits' merchandising desk to reserve your knitting vessel and sewing line capacity for the upcoming production quarter.
Stage 1: Technical Inquiry & Cost Estimation
Duration: 2 – 4 DaysYou provide a complete tech pack, target quantities per color/size, and delivery schedule. The factory merchandiser calculates yarn consumption, knitting/dyeing waste factors, trim costs, and quotes FOB or CIF pricing.
Tech pack PDF, vector artwork files (AI/EPS), Pantone TCX color codes, and estimated delivery port destination.
Stage 2: Proto / Fit Sampling
Duration: 7 – 10 DaysThe factory pattern master digitizes your measurement chart and sews a prototype sample using "available in-house fabric" (correct GSM and handfeel, but not your custom dyed color) to evaluate drape, silhouette, and proportions.
Test the physical prototype on live fit models. Record adjustments on a Fit Comment Sheet (e.g., "Lengthen sleeve by +1.5 cm; raise front neck drop by +0.5 cm").
Stage 3: Lab Dips & Artwork Strike-Offs
Duration: 7 – 12 DaysThe dyehouse testing laboratory runs miniature 5-gram fabric swatches in heated beaker dye vessels to calibrate the dye recipe matching your Pantone TCX target. The factory couriers 3 shade variations (Option A, B, C) per colorway.
Inspect lab dips inside a calibrated light box under standard D65 daylight and retail store light (TL84 / CWF). Also approve screen print strike-off swatches for pigment coverage and handfeel.
Stage 4: Pre-Production (PP) Sample Sign-Off
The "Gold Seal" MilestoneThe most critical gate in the entire production cycle. The Pre-Production (PP) sample is sewn using the actual bulk knitted and dyed fabric, complete with brand labels, trims, packaging, and final graphics.
Stage 5: Bulk Yarn Knitting & Soft-Flow Jet Dyeing
Duration: 14 – 20 DaysCombed compact cotton yarn is loaded onto high-gauge circular knitting machines. Rolls of greige fabric are scoured, bleached, and dyed in automated soft-flow jet dyeing machines using eco-friendly low-liquor recipes.
Stage 6: Spreading, Precision Cutting & Assembly
Duration: 12 – 16 DaysFabric plies are spread and cut with precision vertical knife cutters. Cut panels are screen printed or embroidered on automatic carousels prior to sewing assembly.
Stage 7: In-Line QC, Thread Trimming & Pressing
Duration: 4 – 6 DaysEvery garment passes through an internal 100% quality gate: loose threads trimmed, steam pressed on vacuum ironing tables, and inspected for needle holes or spot stains.
Stage 8: Final AQL 2.5 Inspection & Export Dispatch
Ready for DispatchThe shipment is packed in individual polybags, packed into 5-ply export master cartons, and placed in the quarantine bay for final inspection audit.