Production Time vs. Shipping Time

“When will it arrive?” is not answered by production time alone. A reliable project schedule separates artwork, proof, production, carrier transit, and the date the order is actually needed.

Artwork and proof time

The clock before production includes file preparation, preflight questions, revisions, and customer proof approval. A job cannot move into its confirmed production window until the required artwork and approval are complete.

Production time

Production time begins after the order, files, specifications, and proof are approved, unless the confirmed quote says otherwise. Finishing steps such as folding, cutting, mounting, drilling, bundling, apparel decoration, or data processing can affect the schedule.

Shipping or local handoff

Transit begins after production is complete and the carrier accepts the package. Carrier estimates are not the same as guaranteed delivery unless the specific service says they are. Weather, address corrections, remote areas, and peak periods can add delay.

Mailing time

For a mailed campaign, add list or route approval, postal preparation, entry, and in-home delivery. The postal network controls final delivery timing, so plan around a range rather than one exact mailbox date.

Schedule backward

1. Set the true in-hand or event date.
2. Add a reasonable contingency buffer.
3. Add transit or postal delivery time.
4. Add production and finishing time.
5. Add proof, revision, and file-preparation time.

Production timing depends on artwork approval, materials, finishing, quantity, and current capacity. SticPrint confirms the schedule for the selected product during order review rather than making a one-size-fits-all turnaround promise.