> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.goodnative.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Schedule a pre-order launch

> Set a Pre-order start date and time on a Shopify variant in Bloom so the storefront flips from sold out to pre-order automatically at launch.

Use the **Pre-order start** field on a variant to set a launch date. Until that date, sold-out variants appear as sold out. After the launch date & time, pre-order kicks in.

## Steps

1. In Bloom, open **Products**.
2. Select your product → variant.
3. Set **Oversell limit** to your pre-order cap.
4. Set **Pre-order start** to the launch date & time.
5. Click **Save**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/goodnative/YwYxnZKYMdM3ouql/images/pre-order_schedule_start-date.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=YwYxnZKYMdM3ouql&q=85&s=539af3d5fd3aa7a67d7a02ce71da9ddb" alt="Pre-order start field in the products editor" width="2880" height="1600" data-path="images/pre-order_schedule_start-date.png" />
</Frame>

<Tip>
  In most cases we recommend only starting pre-order when products are 10-12 weeks away from delivery at most. This keeps customers happy, reduces customer service queries, and increases conversion rates.
</Tip>

## Common patterns

* **Surprise drop**: Set to a future date aligned with big announcements. The product page will look normal until launch.
* **Keep it flowing**: Don't set a date / time, so pre-order is always live whenever the variant runs out. Useful for products you reorder regularly.

## Changing the date after orders exist

If you need to update the ship date or cart message after orders have been placed, see [Updating pre-order info on existing orders](/bloom/pre-order/updates).

## Related

* [Configure a pre-order product](/bloom/pre-order/product-config)
* [Updating pre-order info on existing orders](/bloom/pre-order/updates)
* [Pre-order order confirmation email](/bloom/pre-order/emails)