Apparel & t-shirt turnaround time calculator

How to use

The Turnaround Time Calculator was built to help you quickly estimate the time required for various apparel production workflows. It includes common workflow stages such as printing, picking, and finishing, and allows you to adjust key variables like WIP (Work In Progress), team size, and throughput.

To use the calculator, start by entering your (1) Base Assumptions and then (2) Workflow-specific assumptions. Each production workflow – whether DTG, Screen Printing, DTF, or Dye Sublimation – can be customized with its own set of parameters. Adjust the inputs for each stage, and the calculator will automatically update the estimated turnaround time and projected finish date. If you don’t use a particular workflow or stage, simply disable it using the provided options.

Please note that the turnaround times are estimates and don’t account for things like equipment maintenance, unplanned downtime, or other environmental factors that might influence production schedules. Please see “Assumptions” below for a more exhaustive list.

Let us know if this works for you or if you’d like to see further adjustments!

Assumptions

• FIFO: All items are processed in the order they are received (First-In-First-Out).
• No Downtime: Workers and machines are available at all times without interruptions.
• Sequential Processing: Each stage must complete before moving to the next. The same order of stages applies across all workflows.
• Weekday Work Only: The system will only process orders on weekdays (Monday to Friday), excluding weekends.
• Constant Stage Throughput: The throughput rate for each stage remains constant throughout the day.

About this calculator

This Turnaround Time Calculator was developed after numerous discussions with apparel production businesses who struggled to accurately estimate the time required for different printing workflows. Our CEO, Andrew, noticed that many companies were relying on rough guesses rather than data-driven projections, leading to inefficient workflow management and delayed order fulfillment. This tool was designed to help apparel manufacturers quickly compare production timelines across DTG, Screen Printing, DTF, and Dye Sublimation workflows. By allowing you to adjust each stage of the process and customize inputs, we aim to provide a clearer understanding of how to optimize production schedules. If you have any suggestions or ideas for improving this tool, we’d love to hear from you.

Improving turnaround times in the apparel industry is closely tied to optimizing apparel picking efficiency. By streamlining the picking process, businesses can reduce lead times and enhance overall production flow, which is especially critical in fast-paced textile production environments.

Improving DTG turnaround times is essential for staying competitive in the fast-paced apparel industry. By optimizing processes and using advanced technology, print businesses can reduce production delays and meet customer demand more efficiently.