Launch Ready vs Launched (what each means)
What you’ll learn
The difference between Launch Ready and Launched, when to use each stage, and how this connects to the Calculator and Kanban.
Quick definitions
Launch Ready
Launch Ready means:
the product is prepared to go live,
your key execution pieces are ready,
you’re confident to start selling.
It’s the stage right before launch.
Launched
Launched means:
the product is live (or fully completed in your pipeline),
you’ve moved past “pre-launch preparation” into “active selling.”
When should I use Launch Ready?
Use Launch Ready when the product is ready to go live but hasn’t launched yet.
Examples:
listing is ready
creatives are ready
inventory is ready (or inbound plan is ready)
your launch plan is ready
If you still have major execution work (samples, negotiations, production, QC, shipping), don’t use Launch Ready yet.
When should I use Launched?
Use Launched when the product is actually live.
Examples:
product is live on the marketplace
you have started sales activity
your execution pipeline is completed
How this works in D2C Lab
“Ready for launch” button
In the Calculator, you’ll see a Ready for launch action.
What it does:
sets the product stage to Launch Ready
What it does NOT do:
it does not automatically move the Kanban card to a different column
How Launch Ready relates to Kanban
Kanban tracks execution stages:
Sourcing → Sampling → Negotiating → Production → QC → Shipping → Launched
Important:
Launch Ready is a stage you set when you are prepared to launch.
Kanban’s final column is Launched.
So the usual flow is:
You move through Kanban stages until shipping is done
You mark Launch Ready when the product is ready to go live
You mark Launched once it’s live
Best practices
Treat Launch Ready as your final checkpoint.
Don’t use Launch Ready too early—only when launch is realistically next.
Use Notes (in the idea or Kanban modal) to capture your launch date and key tasks.
Related articles
Model profitability (Calculator)
Move through production stages (Kanban)
Stages explained (Raw → Launched + Killed)
Reverting stages (moving a card backwards)