Kanban is a tool to achieve the production of the JIT (just in time). Is a card that is usually placed on a rectangular vinyl envelope. Two commonly used types of kanban: kanban demand (withdrawal kanban) and the kanban production orders (production-ordering kanban). Kanban request specifies the type and number of products in which the process which then must be requested from the previous process, while the kanban production order specifies the type and amount of product from the previous process that must be produced. Production-ordering Kanban is often called in-process Kanban or simply the production kanban.

Other types of kanban are also there. To make a request from the vendor / dealer, used kanban dealer (supplier kanban). Kanban dealers dealer containing instructions subcontract request which will deliver spare parts. Furthermore, to specify production lot in diecasting, punchpress, or forging process, a kanban signal is used. There are two types of kanban signals, namely: Triangular, and kanban-material prosecution. Triangular kanban is made of metal and quite heavy, medium-kanban material prosecution specify point-re-ordering of material needs.