The two numbers every furniture buyer asks first are the minimum order quantity and the lead time. Both are easy to quote and easy to misread. This guide explains what drives each one at an upholstery factory in Thailand and how to plan a project around them.
Minimum order quantity (MOQ)
Our MOQ is 10 pieces per style. Two details matter more than the headline number:
- Per style, not per order. Ten units of one model is a production run. Ten different models of one unit each is ten samples.
- Fabric can set its own minimum. Some mills sell by the roll or impose their own order minimums. If your chosen fabric has a large minimum, the fabric — not the factory — decides your effective MOQ.
- Samples sit outside the MOQ. A single sample unit can be built for approval before you commit to the run.
Lead time — and what it is measured from
We quote typically 8–12 weeks from sample approval, depending on volume and fabric sourcing. Always ask a factory what its lead time is measured from. A number that starts at “order received” and one that starts at “sample approved” can differ by weeks.
A realistic project timeline has four stages:
- Brief and quotation — usually days, if you send dimensions, references, quantity and fabric.
- Sampling — building the sample, reviewing it, and making adjustments. Our private-label client signed off three models three weeks after the first meeting.
- Fabric sourcing — the most common cause of delay. Stocked fabrics are fast; imported or custom-woven fabrics add time.
- Production, QC and delivery — the quoted lead time.
What makes lead times longer
- Imported or custom fabric not yet in stock
- Late design changes after sample approval
- Many different models in one order, each needing its own sample
- Complex shapes — curved and serpentine pieces need their own jigs
- Export crating and shipping (add transit time on top of production)
How to protect a fixed deadline
Plan backwards from the installation date, not forwards from the order. Reserve fabric early — even before the design is final — and approve samples quickly. Large orders can be phased into batches so the first floor or property is delivered while later batches are still in production; on a 120-chair order we delivered three batches of 40, all cut from one dye lot bought up front.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order fewer than 10 pieces?
A single sample can be made for approval. Production runs start from 10 pieces per style.
Can a large order be delivered in stages?
Yes. Phased batches are common for hotels and multi-property groups; the full fabric quantity is bought in one dye lot so batches match.
How long does a sample take?
It depends on complexity and fabric availability; we confirm a sample date when quoting.