It is February 10th, 2026. As you read this, most denim factories in China are on the Chinese New Year Holidays. The machines are covered, and the workers are home for the Lunar New Year (CNY) holiday.
If you are an e-commerce buyer or an Amazon seller, you might be looking at the calendar with panic. Summer sales start in May. You need goods in your warehouse by April. Did you miss the boat?
The short answer is: No. But the window is closing fast.
At Xinen Garment, we prepare for the “Post-Holiday Rush” every year. While the Factory Production Deparment on the holidays, our merchandising team is already planning the production slots for early March.
Here is the strategic guide on how to launch a profitable Summer 2026 Distressed Denim collection fast, using our specific 15-day and 25-day production tracks.
The “Stock Fabric” Rule: Why you cannot weave new fabric right now.
If you want to hit the market in May, you cannot wait for a fabric mill to weave a custom order. Mills are usually backed up until April after the holiday.
The Strategy: Use Our Warehouse Reserve. To speed up production, you must use In-Stock Denim. For Summer 2026, we have already stocked heavily on:
- 10oz – 11oz Summer Slub Denim (100% Cotton): Perfect for the “Vintage Shorts” look.
- 9oz Comfort Stretch (98% Cotton / 2% Spandex): Ideal for lightweight skinny jeans.
Why this saves you: By choosing a fabric from our library, we skip the 30-day weaving lead time. We can start cutting the fabric on the very first day the factory re-opens in March.
Timeline: How we achieve a 15-Day Turnaround for Small Batches.
For startup brands or boutique orders (150 – 500 pieces), speed is your best weapon. You don’t need a container load; you need nimble logistics.
Our 15-Day “Sprint” Schedule (Starting Early March):
- Day 1-2 (Early March): Fabric Cutting. (We use the patterns approved during February).
- Day 3-7: Sewing. We dedicate a specific “Sample Line” to small orders so they don’t get stuck behind big orders.
- Day 8-10: Washing & Distressing.
- Day 11-13: Finishing (Buttons, Rivets, Packing).
- Day 14-15: Final QC and Handover to Courier.
Result: If we start on March 5th, your goods leave the factory by March 20th. Using Air Freight or Fast Boat (Matson), you can have goods on Amazon shelves by mid-April, perfectly timed for the Summer rush.
Scale: How can we produce 10,000 pieces in just 20-25 Days?
This is a question we get from larger aggregator brands and established retailers. “How can you possibly make 10,000 pairs of distressed jeans in 3 weeks?”
The answer lies in Parallel Lines and Laser Technology.
1. The “Parallel Line” Setup
When a large order comes in for a rush delivery, we don’t put it on one sewing line. We split it across 4 to 5 sewing lines simultaneously.
- Line A does Sizes 28-30.
- Line B does Sizes 32-34.
- Line C does Sizes 36-38.
This reduces the bottleneck. We treat one big order like five small orders running at the same time.
2. Replacing Hand Labor with Lasers
For Summer 2026 distressed trends, manual hand-sanding is too slow for a rush order.
- Manual: A worker can distress 10 pairs per hour.
- Laser: Our machines can distress 60 pairs per hour.
By using laser files to burn the “whiskers” and “abrasions” onto the jeans, we cut the washing process time by 50%. This ensures your 10,000 pieces are finished by Day 25, ready for ocean freight.
Critical Action: What can you do Right Now (in February)?
Even though the machines are off, our office is digital. To hit that March start date, you cannot wait until March to talk to us.
The “Ghost Period” Checklist: While the factory is on holiday, we need to finalize the paperwork so we can hit the ground running:
- Select the Fabric: Ask us for photos/videos of our stock fabric. Reserve your meters now.
- Digital Pattern Approval: Send us your size chart. We will create the digital pattern and grading.
- Approve the “Wash Target”: Send us a photo of the exact wash you want. We will write the recipe now so the laundry team is ready.
- Order Accessories: Labels and hangtags take time. We can order these from local suppliers now so they are sitting on the desk when the workers return.
The Goal: By February 28th, your “Production Packet” should be 100% approved. On March 1st (or whenever the factory opens), we simply press “Start.”
Pricing: Does a “Rush Order” cost more?
Usually, factories charge a premium for rush orders. However, Xinen Garment operates differently.
Because we use Stock Fabric for these orders, we are actually saving money on material handling and storage. We pass these savings to you.
- No “Rush Fee” if the Tech Pack is prepared in February.
- Standard Pricing applies to our 15-day and 25-day tracks.
We want to fill our production lines immediately after the holiday. This efficiency helps us keep costs down, even for high-speed orders.
FAQ: Post-CNY Production Questions
1. I need custom logo buttons. Will that delay the 15-day timeline?
Yes, it might. Custom metal molds take 10 days to make. If hardware factories are also backed up after CNY, this is a risk. Our Advice: For this specific rush order, use our Stock Hardware (high-quality, unbranded antique silver or copper buttons). You can brand the jeans using the Leather Patch and Woven Labels, which are much faster to produce (3-4 days).
2. Can you ship directly to Amazon FBA from China?
Yes. For rush orders, we can apply FNSKU barcodes and box labels right here on the finishing floor. We work with freight forwarders who specialize in “Direct-to-FBA” shipping, bypassing your local warehouse to save another week of transit time.
3. What if I want a complex “Heavy Destroyed” wash?
For the 15-day timeline, we recommend keeping the destruction simple (knee holes and raw hems). If you want complex, all-over shredding and repairing, please allow for 5 extra days (Total 20 days for small batches). Manual destruction cannot be rushed without risking quality.
4. When exactly does your factory open?
We officially resume production in early March. However, our sales and technical team are available now (in late February) to finalize your Tech Packs. The earlier you email us, the higher you are on the priority list for Day 1.
Conclusion: Don’t Panic, Just Plan.
The “Post-CNY” period is chaotic for amateurs, but it is an opportunity for professionals. While your competitors are waiting until mid-March to send emails, you can have your fabric cut and sewing started.
Whether you need 150 pieces in 15 days or 10,000 pieces in 25 days, Xinen Garment has the capacity and the stock fabric to make it happen.
