How production and delivery work for a printed order
Production and delivery are separate stages. Check available destination options, costs and any stated timing before planning around an order.
Printed items need preparation before they can be shipped. An order or payment confirmation is not confirmation that printing has started. Artwork, provider eligibility and costs must be checked, and an administrator must approve sending the job to a printer.
Two clocks, not one
- Production: the time to actually print and finish the item
- Shipping: the time for a courier to carry it to you
An estimate may describe production, transit or both. Check what any quoted timing includes. If timing has not been confirmed for your item and destination, do not assume an arrival date.
Why nothing is held in stock
Holding stock means guessing what people will want, printing it in advance and throwing away what nobody buys. Printing to order removes the guess, which is what makes one shirt with one person's name on it possible at all.
Compare the options actually offered
| Option | What to check |
|---|---|
| Standard, if offered | Destination availability, total cost and any stated timing |
| Express, if offered | Whether it is available for this item and what timing it actually covers |
Only the delivery options offered for your order at checkout are available to choose. Review the quoted delivery cost and total before confirming. A general product page does not establish coverage for a particular country or address.
If an event date matters, confirm the available production and delivery information before ordering. Do not assume express is available or that an estimate guarantees arrival for an event.
One order may have several shipments
Different items or print providers may require separate parcels. Review the order details and quoted delivery charges rather than assuming a group order will arrive together or cost less to ship.
Adding somebody later
Check the names, sizes and quantities before confirming. A later addition may need a separate order and a new delivery quote; combining it with an earlier shipment is not guaranteed.
Tracking
Tracking is shown when shipment information is received. A tracking number or label alone does not prove courier collection. Check the reported shipment status; missing tracking does not by itself confirm that production has begun.