The calendar suddenly reads December, and those custom printed shirts for your team, embroidered gifts for clients, or branded merchandise for holiday events haven’t been ordered yet. The question racing through your mind is whether there’s still time to make it happen.
The short answer is: maybe, but you need to act now. Custom apparel has a specific production timeline that becomes compressed during the busy season. We’ll help you understand what is possible and what to expect, so your custom gifts arrive on time.
Understanding the Standard Production Timeline
To know what a “rush order” entails, it’s helpful to understand the standard steps involved in every custom screen printing or embroidery project. Each stage requires time and careful attention to detail.
- Consultation and Quoting: This is where we discuss your vision, help you select the right garments, and determine quantities and decoration methods to provide an accurate quote.
- Artwork and Mockup Approval: Once you approve the quote, our art department creates a digital proof or mockup showing exactly how your logo will look on the chosen apparel. This crucial step ensures accuracy before any printing or stitching begins.
- Sourcing and Receiving Goods: We order the blank garments from our network of suppliers. During the holidays, this step can face delays as popular styles, colors, and sizes sell out quickly across the country.
- Production: This is the hands-on part. Your items are scheduled for either screen printing or embroidery. Machines are set up, inks are mixed, and your design is expertly applied to each garment.
- Quality Control and Finalizing: Every item is inspected for quality. The order is then counted, folded, boxed, and prepared for pickup or shipping.
This standard process can take several weeks from start to finish. During the fourth quarter, that timeline is stretched even further by high demand and potential supply chain bottlenecks.
How to Accelerate Your Order
While the clock is ticking, there are several things you can do as a client to significantly speed up the process and increase the chances of hitting your holiday deadline. Success depends on partnership and preparation.
- Have Your Artwork Ready: The single biggest factor you can control is your artwork. Provide us with a high-resolution, “vector” version of your logo or design. Vector files (typically ending in .AI, .EPS, or sometimes .PDF) can be scaled to any size without losing quality, which means our art department can prepare your proof almost instantly. A low-quality JPEG or PNG file will need to be manually recreated, adding significant time and potential cost.
- Be Decisive: Know your approximate quantities and size breakdowns before you contact us. While we can help you refine the details, having a clear idea of what you need allows us to check stock and provide a quote much faster.
- Respond Quickly: Time is of the essence. Once you receive your quote or digital mockup, review it and provide your approval as soon as possible. A 24-hour delay on your end can easily result in a 24-hour delay in your project’s start date, which can be the difference between meeting a deadline or missing it.
- Be Flexible: Your first-choice brand or color of hoodie might be sold out nationwide. Be open to our suggestions for comparable alternatives. An experienced partner like Rivercity ilar quality item from another brand that is in stock and can get your project moving without delay.
FAQs
What is the difference in turnaround time for screen printing vs. embroidery?
Turnaround times depend more on order complexity and current production schedules than the decoration method itself. Generally, for smaller orders of 24-48 pieces, embroidery can sometimes be slightly faster as the setup is less intensive. For larger orders (50+ pieces), screen printing is often more efficient once the press is set up. We can advise you on the best method for your specific project and deadline.
I need my order by a specific date. What can I do?
Communicate your “in-hand” date to us from the very beginning. This is the most important piece of information for us. Knowing your hard deadline allows us to immediately determine what is possible. If necessary, we can discuss rush production options and expedited shipping to help you meet your event date.
What if my desired apparel item is out of stock?
This is a common challenge during the holidays. Do not worry. With our extensive knowledge of apparel suppliers, we can quickly recommend excellent alternative options that have a similar fit, feel, and quality. Our goal is to find a solution that is in stock and meets your brand’s standards.
When is the absolute latest I can order custom printed shirts?
The latest possible order date depends on your specific requirements and your provider’s current capacity. Generally, placing orders by December 10th to 12th gives reasonable chance of pre-Christmas delivery with rush production. Orders placed after December 15th become extremely challenging and may not be possible depending on quantity and complexity. Contact us immediately to assess your specific situation. We can tell you honestly whether your timeline is achievable based on our current schedule and your specifications.
How much extra does rush production typically cost?
Rush fees vary significantly, based on how much time you’re compressing, and order details. Expect rush charges ranging from 15% to 50% above standard pricing. Some providers charge flat rush fees while others calculate based on order size. Extremely urgent timelines requiring same-week completion may cost even more if available at all. When requesting rush production, ask for complete pricing including rush fees upfront so you can make informed decisions about whether expedited production fits your budget.
Can embroidery be completed faster than screen printing for rush orders?
Neither method is inherently faster for rush production. The timeline depends more on order quantity and design complexity than the decoration method itself. Small quantity embroidery orders with simple designs might complete quickly. Large quantity screen printing orders with single color designs might also move fast. Multi-color screen printing and complex embroidery designs both require significant setup and production time. Discuss your specific needs with us to understand which approach best fits your timeline.
What information do I need ready when placing a rush order?
Maximize your chances of rush order success by having the following ready: exact quantities broken down by size, specific product style numbers or clear descriptions, print-ready artwork files in appropriate formats, decoration placement specifications, your firm deadline date, and shipping address. The more complete your information, the faster your provider can assess feasibility and begin production. Incomplete orders require back-and-forth communication that consumes time you don’t have during rush situations.
Getting Your Custom Orders Across the Finish Line Fast
The holiday deadline pressure is real, but custom screen printing and embroidery remain possible later into the season than many people assume. Success requires honest assessment of your timeline, flexibility in your approach, quick decision-making throughout the process, and immediate action rather than continued delay.
Contact RCSE today if you have holiday orders pending. The conversation itself costs nothing and provides the clarity you need. We can assess your specific requirements against our current capacity and give you honest guidance about what’s achievable.
If your order can be completed in time, you’ll have a clear path forward. If timing truly doesn’t work, you’ll know early enough to arrange alternatives rather than hoping until it’s definitively too late. Either outcome serves you better than uncertainty.
Custom merchandise makes meaningful holiday gifts for employees, clients, and event attendees. The personal touch of customized apparel communicates appreciation in ways generic gifts cannot match. Acting now gives you the best chance of delivering that meaningful impression before the holidays arrive.