Q: What is the standard production lead time for zippers?
For confirmed orders with stock colors and standard hardware, production usually runs 15 to 25 days after order confirmation and deposit. Custom dyed tape extends this to roughly 25 to 35 days, and a new slider or a new chain profile can push it beyond 40 days because tooling and approval come first.
Several factors move the date. Chinese New Year typically removes two to three weeks of capacity, and the peak pre-season window from August to October fills dyeing lines. Small orders may be scheduled around larger runs, while very large orders are split into shipments. Inspection, testing and packing add time after the last production step.
Treat the quoted lead time as starting from a complete approved specification, not from the purchase order date. Ask for the milestones: material ready, dyeing complete, assembly, inspection and ship. A supplier who can name those dates is easier to plan around than one who quotes a single number, and the milestones give you early warning if the schedule is slipping.