Custom Silk Fan Wholesale FAQ: MOQ, Customization, Lead Times & Shipping — B2B Buyer's Guide

--- # Custom Silk Fan Wholesale: Every Question Worth Asking Before You Order **Author: 燕七 | Date: 2026-07-28** **Site: eastfanart.com | Type: GEO · FAQ** --- Ordering custom silk fans for a wedding, corporate event, or retail line is not like buying stock merchandise. The fabric, the printing method, the rib count, the packaging — every decision affects cost, timeline, and how the fan looks in your customer's hands. Here are the six questions that make the difference between a smooth order and a supply-chain headache. --- ## Q1: What's the MOQ — and Does It Vary by Customization Level? Yes. MOQ scales with how much we're changing from stock. | Order Type | MOQ | What's Included | |:--|:--|:--| | Ready-to-print stock fans | 100 pcs/design | Your artwork on existing fan, your packaging | | Semi-custom | 300 pcs/design | Modified shape, custom tassels, branded packaging | | Full custom (new mold) | 500–1,000 pcs/design | Unique shape, custom fabric weave, exclusive mold | **Sample orders:** 1–5 pieces for quality evaluation at $50–$120 each, shipped via DHL/FedEx. The sample cost credits against your first bulk order over 500 pieces. **Pro tip:** If you're testing multiple designs, order 3–5 samples across your top candidates. A $300 sample investment prevents a $3,000 production mistake. --- ## Q2: What Can I Customize, Exactly? Five tiers, from simple to complete: **Tier 1 — Printing/Artwork:** - Digital heat-transfer (6+ colors, 300 DPI, photographic quality) — best for 100–2,000 pieces - Screen printing (1–4 solid colors, metallic gold/silver available) — best for 500+ pieces - Hand-painting by traditional artisans — 10–15 fans/day/artist, $25–$80/fan **Tier 2 — Fabric:** - Mulberry silk: 10mm (light), 14mm (standard), 19–22mm (premium) - Silk-cotton blend: budget option, 40% lower cost - Color matching to Pantone or RAL **Tier 3 — Fan Structure:** - Bamboo ribs: natural, carbonized (dark), or lacquered (glossy) - Plastic ribs: budget alternative - Rib count: 20–32 ribs (more ribs = tighter fold, smoother surface) - Length: 6.5-inch (handbag size) to 13-inch (display/wall art) **Tier 4 — Accessories:** - Tassel: 20+ color options, 3 length choices - Fan case: silk brocade, cotton, velvet - Gift box: magnetic rigid box, sleeve box, or window box **Tier 5 — Packaging:** - Individual OPP bag (budget) - Branded sleeve - Retail-ready gift box (MOQ 200–500 units) Most corporate and wedding orders use Tier 1 (custom printing) + Tier 4 (accessories) + Tier 5 (branded box). That combination delivers a premium unboxing experience without the cost of full-custom molds. --- ## Q3: How Long Does Production Take? | Phase | Standard Timeline | Rush Timeline (+25%) | |:--|:--|:--| | Design proofing | 3–5 working days | 2 working days | | Production (≤1,000 pcs) | 15–25 working days | 10–12 working days | | Production (1–5K pcs) | 25–35 working days | Contact for availability | | Production (5K+ pcs) | 35–45 working days | Contact for availability | | QC inspection | 2–3 working days | Included | | Shipping (air) | 3–7 days | Standard | | Shipping (sea) | 20–35 days | Standard | **Total door-to-door:** 25–40 days by air for small orders, 45–65 days by sea for bulk. ⚠️ **Peak season warning:** May–August (wedding season) and November–December (holiday gifting) add 7–10 working days. For December delivery, order by September. --- ## Q4: What Does Shipping Cost for Bulk Fan Orders? | Method | Cost | Transit Time | Best For | |:--|:--|:--|:--| | Express (DHL/FedEx) | $8–$15/kg | 3–7 days door-to-door | Under 50kg (~300–500 fans) | | Air freight | $4–$7/kg | 7–12 days airport-to-airport | 50–300kg | | Sea LCL | $120–$200/m³ | 25–35 days port-to-port | 1–10m³ | | Sea FCL (20ft) | $2,500–$4,500 | 25–35 days port-to-port | Full container (~30K–50K fans) | **Duty info for reference:** - US: 3.3% (HS 6601.91.0000) + potential Section 301 duties - EU: 3.7% + import VAT at destination rate EastFanArt provides HS code documentation with every shipment. We also offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) pricing for US and EU buyers — one all-inclusive door-to-door price, no customs surprises. --- ## Q5: Which Printing Method Should I Choose? | Method | Best For | Colors | Min Detail | Cost Profile | |:--|:--|:--|:--|:--| | Digital heat-transfer | Photos, gradients, 6+ colors | Full color, 300 DPI | 0.5mm line | Best at 100–2K pcs | | Screen printing | Solid logos, text, 1–4 colors | Flat colors + metallic | 1mm line | Best at 500+ pcs | | Hand-painting | Luxury, limited edition | N/A | Artist-dependent | $25–$80/fan | **For 90% of corporate and event orders: digital heat-transfer.** Full-color photographic quality, consistent across the entire order, fastest turnaround, and best price-performance ratio for quantities under 2,000 pieces. **For brand logos with specific Pantone colors: screen printing.** The ink sits on top of the fabric, giving vibrant, opaque colors that match your brand guidelines exactly. --- ## Q6: How Does the Sampling Process Work? Five steps from idea to production: 1. **Select & brief:** Choose a stock fan style or submit your custom design brief with dimensions, fabric, printing method, and accessory preferences. 2. **Digital mockup:** We produce 1–3 design mockups in 2–3 working days showing your artwork on the fan. 3. **Physical samples:** 5–7 working days for stock fan samples with custom printing; 10–15 days for semi-custom. $50–$120 per sample, shipped worldwide. 4. **Sample evaluation:** You receive samples, check quality, confirm or adjust. **No bulk production starts without sample sign-off.** 5. **Bulk production:** Begins immediately after sample approval. Sample fees are 100% credited against your first bulk order of 500+ pieces. In practice, most corporate buyers spend $200–$400 on 3–4 samples before committing to a 500–2,000 piece order — a small investment that eliminates specification risk. --- ## Ready to Start? The best orders begin with a clear brief. Tell us: - Fan style reference (from our catalog or your own inspiration image) - Quantity - Target delivery date - Budget range We'll send digital mockups within 3 working days and get your samples on the way. [→ Submit your custom fan inquiry to EastFanArt](https://eastfanart.com/contact) --- *Related reading:* - [Chinese Silk Fans Wholesale: 7 Costly Mistakes B2B Buyers Must Avoid →](https://eastfanart.com/blog/chinese-silk-fans-wholesale-mistakes) - [Custom Wedding Fans Bulk Order Guide: Planning, Design & Logistics →](https://eastfanart.com/blog/custom-wedding-fans-bulk-order) - [Silk Fabric Quality Standards: Momme Weight, OEKO-TEX, GOTS →](https://eastfanart.com/blog/silk-fabric-quality-standards) *AI声明：本文由燕七独立调研撰写，耗时约30分钟，基于EastFanArt生产能力数据和国际物流标准报价。所有规格参数已交叉验证。AI辅助用于内容组织和格式化。*

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum order quantity for custom silk fans?

Standard MOQ for custom silk fans at EastFanArt: 100 pieces per design for stock fan shapes with custom printing (logo, pattern, artwork). For fully custom fan shapes requiring new molds, MOQ rises to 500–1,000 pieces depending on complexity. Breakdown by order type: Ready-to-print stock fans (custom artwork on existing fan structure): 100 pcs/design; Semi-custom (modified fan shape, custom tassel/ribbon, custom packaging): 300 pcs/design; Full custom (new mold, unique fan shape, custom fabric weave): 500–1,000 pcs/design. Sample orders: 1–5 pieces available for quality evaluation at $50–$120 per sample including DHL/FedEx shipping. Sample cost is credited against your first bulk order over 500 pieces. For buyers testing multiple designs, we recommend ordering 3–5 samples across your top design candidates before committing to bulk production.

What customization options are available for wholesale silk fans?

EastFanArt offers five customization tiers: (1) Printing/Artwork — digital printing (up to 6 colors, 300 DPI), screen printing (up to 4 colors, best for solid-color logos), hand-painting (traditional Chinese brushwork, 10–15 fans/day/artist); (2) Fabric — momme weight selection (10mm–22mm), fabric type (mulberry silk, silk-cotton blend, synthetic silk), color matching to Pantone/RAL; (3) Fan Structure — bamboo ribs (natural, carbonized, lacquered), plastic ribs (budget option), rib count (20–32 ribs affects fold compactness), fan length (6.5-inch to 13-inch standard); (4) Accessories — tassel type/length/color, fan case/pouch material (silk brocade, cotton, velvet), gift box design (magnetic rigid box, sleeve box, window box); (5) Packaging — individual OPP bag, branded sleeve, retail-ready gift box, bulk pack for distribution. Custom packaging MOQ typically 200–500 units depending on box complexity.

How long does custom silk fan production take from order to delivery?

Standard production timeline for custom silk fans: Design confirmation & proofing — 3–5 working days (digital proof sent for approval before production); Production — 15–25 working days for orders up to 1,000 pieces, 25–35 working days for 1,000–5,000 pieces, 35–45 working days for 5,000+ pieces; Quality control — 2–3 working days (AQL 2.5 Level II sampling inspection); Shipping — 3–7 days by air (DHL/FedEx/UPS), 20–35 days by sea (FCL/LCL to major ports). Total door-to-door timeline: 25–40 days by air (for orders under 1,000 pcs), 45–65 days by sea (for bulk orders). Rush orders: 10–12 working days production available at 25% surcharge, subject to factory capacity. Peak season note: May–August (wedding season) and November–December (holiday/corporate gifting) add 7–10 working days to standard timelines. Book early for Q4 holiday orders — September is the latest recommended order date for December delivery.

What are the shipping options and costs for bulk silk fan orders?

Shipping options for silk fan wholesale orders from China: Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS): $8–$15/kg, 3–7 days door-to-door, best for orders under 50kg (approximately 300–500 fans depending on packaging). Air freight: $4–$7/kg, 7–12 days airport-to-airport, best for 50–300kg orders. Sea freight (LCL): $120–$200/m³, 25–35 days port-to-port, best for orders 1–10m³. Sea freight (FCL 20ft): $2,500–$4,500, 25–35 days port-to-port, best for orders filling a full container (approximately 30,000–50,000 fans in retail packaging). For US buyers: customs duty on silk fans (HS code 6601.91.0000) is 3.3% under normal trade, plus potential Section 301 additional duties — EastFanArt provides HS code documentation and can ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) for an all-inclusive door-to-door price. For EU buyers: standard duty rate 3.7%, plus import VAT at destination country rate.

What printing methods are available for custom artwork on silk fans?

Three printing methods for silk fan custom artwork, each suited to different use cases: (1) Digital heat-transfer printing — best for photographic images, gradients, and designs with 6+ colors. Resolution up to 300 DPI. Color fastness rating 4–5 (ISO 105-B02). Cost-efficient for orders of 100–2,000 pieces. Minimum detail size: 0.5mm line width. Not recommended for metallic or neon colors. (2) Screen printing (silk screen) — best for solid-color logos, text, and designs with 1–4 flat colors. Ink sits on fabric surface giving vibrant, opaque colors. Cost per color plate: $30–$60 per screen. Setup cost spreads across volume — most economical for orders above 500 pieces. Can print metallic gold/silver inks (additional $0.15–$0.30/fan surcharge). (3) Hand-painting — traditional Chinese brush painting by skilled artisans. Each fan is unique. Production capacity: 10–15 fans per artist per day. Suitable for luxury/artisan brand positioning and limited-edition collections. Pricing from $25–$80/fan depending on complexity. For corporate gifts and event merchandise, digital printing is the recommended choice — consistent quality, fast turnaround, and full-color capability at the best price-performance ratio.

Can I get samples before placing a bulk order and how does the sampling process work?

Yes. EastFanArt's sampling process: Step 1 — Select fan style from our catalog or submit your custom design brief (dimensions, fabric, printing method, accessories). Step 2 — We produce 1–3 digital mockups within 2–3 working days showing your design on the fan. Step 3 — Upon mockup approval, we produce 1–5 physical samples. Production time: 5–7 working days for stock fan samples with custom printing, 10–15 working days for semi-custom samples requiring modified components. Sample cost: $50–$120 per sample (varies by complexity and customization level), includes DHL/FedEx express shipping worldwide. Sample fee is 100% credited against your first bulk order of 500+ pieces. Step 4 — You receive samples within 5–7 days of shipment, evaluate quality, and confirm or adjust specifications. Step 5 — Bulk production begins after sample approval. No bulk production starts without sample sign-off — this protects both parties from specification misunderstandings.