A common misconception when ordering custom printed items is that production time (usually listed with the product description) begins when you hit the submit button to send your order. Another common misconception is that production time includes delivery or ship time. Actually, the time it takes for your order to reach you will depend on many variables including how quickly various components of your order are received, including artwork, complete order details and in many cases a signed sales contract.The clock doesn’t begin ticking for production until the factory has received your complete order information and approved, camera ready artwork. Other factors include additional imprint colors, personalization, imprint color matching, proof approval etc.
Factories have their own procedures for processing orders into their system which can take up to two days. Once the factory has processed the order into their system, and artwork is submitted and approved, production begins. During production, time is required for each additional color and location in the imprint. Once the item has been imprinted, time is also required to ship the items from the factory to your location.
Production time can vary based on seasonal demands, holidays and weekends. Production times are stated in “working days” and not calendar days. During the Christmas holiday many factories add days to the time allowed for production and carriers take longer to deliver items to certain areas of the country due to increased volume. Shipping time is also increased for special packaging and drop shipments. Rush service is usually available for items where time is a factor, however there is an additional charge for that service. Fees for rush production and rush delivery can cost as much as the items themselves.
The best rule of thumb is to allow at least one additional week for processing in addition to the time for shipping and overall production posted with each product. Plan ahead to beat the last minute rush!
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