Your order timeline is dependent on what you’re ordering, how it’s branded, and where you want your order delivered. As you can imagine, if your branding is bespoke, then it may take a while longer than the timeline outlined below.
The below timeline however is a good guide to use when it comes to planning the merchandise for your next event. Your merchandise consultant will outline your own, unique, timeline at the point of ordering.
When should you order?
We recommend (on average) ordering at least 3/4 weeks before your deadline. This way, it allows time for exploring different options, as well as finalizing artwork and delivery.
That being said, we can of course produce items a lot quicker, with a 7/10 working day (from artwork approval) turnaround time (sometimes, even quicker!).
Speak to your merchandise consultant if you’re concerned you won’t have enough time to order, or if you have a specific deadline in mind.
Specific deadlines to keep in mind
Remember, all lead times are based on working days. This means that weekends are not counted towards this timeline. Also, some seasonal items (such as advent calendars) have their own unique ordering deadlines. Speak to your merchandise consultant if you’re concerned.
Your order timeline
Day 1: Enquiry
This is your first point of contact with your merchandise consultant. You’ll need to explain to them what your project is, any ideas you may have, as well as when you’ll need your delivery. From point of enquiry to exploring what’s on offer, we aim to be in contact with you within 24 hours.
Day 2: Explore
This is where you and your merchandise consultant explore all the different options available for your project. Our consultants are trained in what’s new and will explore what’ll work best for your brand. We aim to get some ideas over to you within 24-48 hours after your initial enquiry. Finalising your items though can take up to a week, as there are just so many amazing products to choose from!
Day 5: Artwork Finalised
Once your items are finalised, we’ll need to work on your artwork. This impacts your quote greatly, so spending a bit more time on this stage will ensure there are no surprises later down the line.
If you’ve got a print-ready artwork file available - great! If not, we can help you create one, but this will add some extra time to your order journey. Depending on the artwork’s complexity, this could take up to 72 hours to complete.
Day 8: Quote
Once we’ve narrowed down your options, we’ll aim to get an accurate quote over to you within 24/48 hours. During this time we’re trying to get you the best possible deals in terms of price and lead times. We want to ensure your items will arrive in great condition, and right on time.
Day 9: Discuss
We’re of course happy to discuss your quote with you and make any changes. If you’d like to amend your products or change your artwork or delivery address, this is the time to let us know. We’ll then be able to amend the quote for you.
Also, take your time in analyzing your quote, we want you to be 100% happy with your order, so please let us know if you don’t understand something or have any questions.
Day11: Samples & visuals
If you’d like to receive samples of your items or visuals of how the finished product will look, we usually organise this during the quoting period.
If you receive plain (not branded) samples, this can add 3-4 extra days to your order timeline.
If you opt for branded, this can add another 10 days.
Visuals are the quicker option to see what your items will look like with your specific branding, and we recommend this for a quicker turnaround time. We aim to get visuals over to you either the same day (if requested in the morning) or within a 24-hour period.
Day 12: Ready to Order
When you’re happy with your quote, your visuals, and all your delivery details, it’s time to go ahead with your order. We will not proceed with your order until we have received written confirmation from you.
Please ensure you’re 100% happy with all the details on your quote and visual before proceeding.
Day 13: Order Confirmed
We aim to send over your order confirmation 24 hours after you’ve given us the go-ahead. This allows time for your merchandise consultant to liaise and explain the finer details of your order to your customer service specialist, as well as finalise any details with the factory.
Day 14: Artwork Proof
Next, you’ll receive an artwork proof. We again aim for this to be sent within 24 hours of you receiving your order confirmation, but it can take up to 48 hours in busier periods. Your artwork proof will show you exactly how your product will be branded.
Day 14: Artwork Amendments
If necessary, we can make artwork amendments at this stage. Each new amended proof can take up to 24 hours, so we recommend pointing out all the things you want to change in one go. This way, it’ll minimise any delays these changes may cause.
We aim to get any revisions over to you within 24/48 hours for final approval. You can have as many revisions as you like - we want you to be 100% happy with your finished product! However, we may recommend limiting these to 2 or 3 changes in order to meet your delivery date.
Day 16: Artwork Approved
Once you’re happy with your proof, it’s time to send over your artwork approval to your customer service specialist. Before we can proceed further, we need your artwork approval in writing. Once approved, no amendments to your proof or order can be made.
Day 16: Delivery Date
Once we’ve received your artwork approval, we’ll send your confirmed delivery date within a few hours. This will be the date your merchandise is due to arrive. If this differs from what was first agreed, we will try to deliver as close to your original date as possible.
Day 16: In Production
Once your artwork proof has been approved, you’ve received your confirmed delivery date and you’re happy with this, your order will proceed to production.
Production is when the factory will process and produce your order. During this time, your customer service specialist will update you at regular intervals, however, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like further information.
The length of your order’s production time is based on each item’s lead time.
Day 26: Despatched
Your order is despatched after the lead time. Your merchandise consultant would have made you aware of each item’s lead times at the beginning of your order journey.
Day 27: Tracking
Your tracking is your unique courier code and link so that you can see exactly when your parcel will arrive.
Depending on your delivery location, this can take anywhere from 3 days to two weeks. We’ll keep you regularly updated, especially if there are any delays. You can either track your order through our Customer Lounge or manually through the specified courier.
Day 30: Delivered!
Your order has been delivered! We’ll let you know once it’s been delivered securely, and will send over a POD if requested.
Day 30: Invoice received
Once your order has been delivered, we’ll send over your VAT invoice (this goes for if you paid via proforma too, for your records). Your payment terms will be individually set with our accounts department.
Don’t forget feedback!
We always appreciate your honest feedback on any aspect of your order timeline. From our end, your order isn’t complete until we hear from you about what we could have done better!
Please let us know your feedback by contacting our customer service team directly, or completing your feedback form.