Guide to Print Timelines
New year, new you – we know “get files to the printer on time” topped your list of resolutions.
Oh, that’s just us? Well, that’s okay. We can work with that. Just use this guide to printing timelines, organized by type of project, so you can plan accordingly and set realistic expectations for how long it may take to complete your projects.
Swift Says (a tip, from us to you) – We know sometimes planning ahead is hard! When you submit your project, please share your ideal deadline with us and we will bend over a press (not backwards, but you get the idea) to achieve your deadline whenever possible!
If you’ve placed an order with us before, you know that we usually advise a 3-5 business day turnaround time from proof approval for most orders. This includes items like basic business cards, letterhead, envelopes, postcards, rack cards, menus, stickers/labels on sheets, and cards. If you need a swifter turnaround, a simple way to do that is to opt out of the proof process – ask us when you place your order (it could save you a full day or more!).
However, there are some printed products that don’t quite fit into this timeline. Here’s what you can expect for the “specialty” orders:
CHECKS
14-16 business days
Due to the security requirements with checks, there is a specialty process. This can cause the length of time to increase. The timeline can increase or decrease depending on the type of check.
POCKET FOLDERS
10-15 business days
Pocket folders have a multistep process: printing, trimming, die cutting, folding, and gluing.
MAILINGS, END OF YEAR APPEALS, WEDDING INVITES
7-10 business days (to be safe!)
Depending on what kind of mailing it is, timelines can vary. For just a postcard with an address, our usual 3-5 business days should apply. If we’re inserting and sealing envelopes, we may need closer to 7-10 business days, but this also depends on quantity. There are also other things that can make the timeline be longer such as:
A specialty piece that is die-cut or foiled
A double or triple “match”
A combination of the above
A match means that there is personal data or variable data that matches with the set and is unique to one household or packet. For example, when you receive a letter and the envelope or letter has your name on it. This also applies to mailings with coupons using variable data for tracking purposes.
If you have a particular day in mind that you would like it to be given to the post office, let us know. We’ll do our darn best to accommodate!
FOIL, EMBOSSING & DEBOSSING
10-15 business days
When we foil, there’s a lot of steps that have to be taken before we can begin the foiling process— especially if the artwork has some non-foiled elements as well.
LABELS ON A ROLL
2-4 weeks
This one really depends on the type of label, and factors that determine this include if you have a spot color versus a four-color process.
LAMINATION
6-9 business days
When we laminate, the printed piece has to sit for a full 24 hours before we can begin lamination. Our timeline to do lamination ensures that you receive the highest quality finished product.
DIE CUTTING / KISS CUTTING
10-15 business days (to be safe!)
Getting a die made for die or kiss cutting can be a lengthy process, especially if the die lines aren’t already set. If it is a size we have already, then it can slightly decrease the turnaround time, usually 5-7 business days. If we have to create a custom die, please plan for up to 15 business days.
Swift Says – “Kiss” cutting is the process in which we die cut something, such as a sticker. At the end, your finished part is cut and left on a removable layer of paper.
STAPLED BINDING
5-7 business days (to be safe!)
For stapled booklets, we can typically meet our standard timeline of 3-5 business days, but some may take up to 7 business days. For very high quantities or thick books, this time might fluctuate more, so be sure to ask!
NON-STAPLED BINDING
7-10 business days
The term “non-stapled binding” includes coil binding, perfect binding, and wire binding. Due to the machining process, we like to plan for a couple extra days to account for things like collation and machine set-up.
Ready to submit your project? Click here to request a quote or give us a call at (616) 459-4263. We’d love to help you meet your goals this year – on time!
Swift Printing is a family-owned print shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At Swift, our blood runs ink and we live to make your work shine. We print for people, businesses, and organizations – and even have a walk-up copy center on our beloved Bridge Street.
