Types of Kanban: Production, Withdrawal and Signal Kanban
Not all kanban cards do the same job. A production kanban says “make this”, a withdrawal kanban says “move this”, and a signal kanban says “start a batch now”. Learn each type with examples – and three boards that show them in action.
Quick answer: The two main types of kanban are the production kanban (P-kanban), which authorises a process to make parts, and the withdrawal kanban (also called conveyance, transport or C-kanban), which authorises moving parts to the next process. Signal kanban – often a triangle kanban – triggers batch production at a reorder point. Supplier, emergency and e-kanban are variants.
1. Key Takeaways
- Production kanban (P-kanban): authorises making parts.
- Withdrawal kanban (C-kanban): authorises moving parts; also called conveyance or transport kanban.
- Signal kanban – such as a triangle kanban – triggers batch production at a reorder point.
- Supplier kanban, emergency kanban and e-kanban are common variants.
- Production and withdrawal kanban work as a pair in a two-card system.
2. The Main Types of Kanban
The main types of kanban are production, withdrawal and signal kanban, plus supplier, emergency and electronic variants.
3. Production Kanban (P-Kanban)
A production kanban tells an upstream process exactly what to make and how many.
Production kanban example: a card reading “Part BR-220 · weld · 40 pcs · from steel blanks” is attached to a full container in the supermarket. When the container is taken, the card returns to the welding cell as an order to make 40 more.
4. Withdrawal Kanban (Conveyance or C-Kanban)
A withdrawal kanban – also called a conveyance, transport or move kanban – authorises moving a set quantity of parts from the supermarket to the process that uses them.
Withdrawal kanban example: a material handler takes a card reading “BR-220 · 40 pcs · from supermarket A3 · to Line 2” to the supermarket, picks one full container and swaps the production kanban for the withdrawal kanban.
5. Withdrawal Kanban and Production Kanban Together
In a two-card system, withdrawal kanbans pull parts downstream and production kanbans trigger their replacement upstream.
Run both cards on one board
Colour-coded lists, cards with images, checklists and due dates – on Android, iPhone, tablet and desktop.
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6. Signal Kanban and Triangle Kanban
A signal kanban is used where a process makes parts in batches – such as a press – and a triangle kanban hung at the reorder point triggers the next batch.
7. Other Types: Supplier, Emergency, One-Way and E-Kanban
Supplier kanbans extend pull to vendors, emergency kanbans cover temporary spikes, one-way kanbans are used once, and e-kanban sends the same signals electronically.
| Type | What it does | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier kanban | Withdrawal kanban sent to an outside supplier | Regular milk-run deliveries |
| Emergency kanban | Temporary card, removed after use | Scrap, machine breakdown, demand spike |
| One-way kanban | Used once and not recirculated | Special orders, one-off parts |
| Express kanban | Signals a shortage that needs a fast pick | Unexpected stock-out |
| E-kanban | Electronic signal, often barcode or RFID | Long distances, many suppliers |
8. Types of Kanban on a Board
Here are three boards in PlanBoards that show each type of kanban.
Kanban card loop – production & withdrawal
Withdrawal Kanban, Production Kanban, Producing (WIP 3) and Supermarket – the two-card loop.
Signal kanban – press shop
Stock Above Signal, Signal Reached, Batch Scheduled and Running – with a triangle kanban card.
Supplier & emergency kanban
Supplier Kanban, Emergency Kanban, E-kanban and Closed Loops.
9. FAQ
These are the questions people ask about the types of kanban.
What are the two main types of kanban?
Production kanban, which authorises making parts, and withdrawal kanban, which authorises moving them.
What is a withdrawal kanban?
A card that authorises moving a set quantity of parts from a supermarket to the process that uses them. It is also called a conveyance, transport, move or C-kanban.
What is a P-kanban?
A production kanban: an instruction to an upstream process to make a specific part in a specific quantity.
What is a triangle kanban?
A signal kanban shaped like a triangle, hung at the reorder point of a stack of bins, that triggers a batch at a process such as a press.
What is a one-way kanban?
A kanban card used once and not recirculated, for special or one-off orders.
What is a supplier kanban?
A withdrawal kanban sent to an outside supplier to trigger the next delivery.
Can I track kanban card types in PlanBoards?
Yes – use one list per card type and colour labels for production, withdrawal and signal kanban, free to use.
10. Sources and Further Reading
These are the sources behind this guide.
- Lean Enterprise Institute. Kanban (lexicon) · Signal kanban.
- Wikipedia: Kanban
- Taiichi Ohno (1988). Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production. Productivity Press.
Related pages: Features · SME & Projects · Sharing Cards
Make. Move. Signal.
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