How long does printing take? Turnaround, proofs and shipping

If you have a launch, an open house or a grand opening on the calendar, the first question about any print job is how long it will take. The honest answer is that it depends, and the factors are mostly predictable. Once you know them, you can plan with confidence and avoid the surprises.

The steps behind every print job

A job is not just printing. It goes through a series of stages, and the total time is the sum of all of them.

1. Quote and details: Confirming size, quantity, material and options.
2. Artwork: You send files, or we help you prepare them.
3. Check and proof: The file is reviewed and you approve what will be printed.
4. Printing: The product is produced.
5. Finishing: Cutting, trimming, folding, hemming, grommets or other steps.
6. Packing and shipping or delivery: The order is sent or arranged for you.

The stages you control most are the artwork and the approval. They are also where most delays come from.

Artwork readiness

A clean, print-ready file moves quickly. Files that are low resolution, missing bleed or built at the wrong size need to be fixed or replaced, and that takes time on both sides. Our print-ready files guide explains how to avoid the common problems.

Proofs and approvals

Approving a proof is a quick step if you look at it carefully and answer promptly. Read every word, check phone numbers and addresses, and confirm colours and sizes. A proof that waits two days for a reply adds two days to the project. If several people need to sign off, collect their comments into one message to avoid repeated rounds of changes.

Product type

Different products involve different amounts of work.

• A flat, single-sided piece such as a flyer is simpler than a folded brochure.
• Business cards with rounded corners or special coatings add steps.
• A vinyl banner with hems and grommets needs finishing after printing.
• Cut-to-shape stickers and decals need contour cutting.

If a product has special options, mention them early so the time is built into the plan.

Quantity and size

More pieces take longer to print, cut, fold and pack. Large formats take more handling. If you are ordering several different items at once, say which are most urgent so they can be sequenced.

Shipping and delivery

After printing, the order needs to reach you. PrintEh ships within a day or two of printing. There is also an express delivery option for customers in the Greater Toronto Area, including Oakville, Mississauga and Burlington. Shipping to other parts of Canada and the USA depends on the carrier and the distance, so build in time for transit.

Planning backwards

The best way to protect your date is to work backwards from it.

1. Write down the day you need the order in hand.
2. Subtract a buffer for shipping and any weather or delivery uncertainty.
3. Subtract time for printing and finishing.
4. Subtract time for proof approval, including a possible second round.
5. Subtract time to get your artwork finished.

What is left is the date you need to begin. If it has already passed, tell us right away when you request a quote, because there may be ways to simplify the job. Our trade show printing checklist shows this approach for events.

What commonly causes delays

• Artwork that arrives late or in the wrong format
• Late proof approvals or changes after approval
• Adding new options, sizes or quantities partway through
• Unclear delivery addresses, or no one available to receive a delivery
• Choosing finishing that was not part of the first quote

Asking about timing

We do not publish fixed turnaround times, because they depend on the details above. The simplest way to get a clear answer is to ask when you request a quote. Tell us your deadline, the product and the quantity, and we will tell you what is realistic. If you are still deciding who to work with, our guide to choosing a printing company in Oakville lists useful questions. You can send your request through the quote form.