How Long Does Custom Print Merch Take to Produce?
"How long will it take?" is one of the first questions we get asked on almost every order — and it's a fair one. Turnaround affects your event date, your launch plan, and whether you need to pay extra for speed. Here's what actually determines how long custom merch takes to produce, and how to plan around it.
The Main Factors That Affect Turnaround
1. Print method Screen printing needs screens burned for each colour before anything gets printed, which adds setup time upfront — but once it's running, large runs move fast. DTF skips the screen setup entirely, which is why it's often quicker for smaller or more varied orders. Embroidery has its own setup step (digitising the design into a stitch file) before production starts. If you're weighing this up for your own order, our screen printing vs DTF guide breaks down the two in more detail.
2. Order size Small orders (under 20-30 units) are usually the fastest to turn around, especially with DTF. Bulk orders take longer purely because of production volume, though screen printing becomes more efficient once the screens are set up. For large-scale runs like charity events or marathons, it pays to lock in your order well ahead of the date.
3. Design complexity and approval Multi-colour designs, gradients, or artwork that isn't print-ready can add a day or two while it's prepped and proofed. Getting your file right the first time makes a real difference — our post on common t-shirt design mistakes covers the issues that most often slow a job down at the proofing stage.
4. Garment sourcing If you're printing on stock blanks we already carry, production can start almost immediately. If you've specified a particular brand, colour, or fabric that needs to be ordered in, that lead time gets added to your timeline. Our fabric guide is worth a look before you finalise your garment choice.
5. Time of year Like most print shops, we see a seasonal crunch around events season and the lead-up to the holidays. Booking early is the single easiest way to avoid being caught out by a busy calendar.
Typical Turnaround Ranges
As a general guide:
Small DTF orders (under 20 units): as fast as same-day to 2-3 business days
Screen printing (standard runs): roughly 5-10 business days, depending on colours and quantity
Embroidery: typically 5-10 business days once digitising is complete
Large bulk orders (100+ units): 1-3 weeks depending on method and season
These are general ranges rather than guarantees — every job is a little different, which is why it's worth confirming a date when you place your order.
Need It Fast?
For genuinely urgent jobs, same-day t-shirt printing is available on eligible orders. It's best suited to smaller quantities and simpler designs, so flag your deadline as early as possible so we can tell you honestly whether same-day is realistic for your job.
How to Speed Things Up
Send print-ready artwork from the start — fewer proofing rounds means faster production
Choose from in-stock garments rather than a special-order fabric or colour
Confirm quantities and sizing early so nothing needs to be re-quoted mid-order
If timing is tight, ask about DTF rather than defaulting to screen printing
The Bottom Line
There's no single answer to "how long will my merch take" — it depends on your print method, quantity, design, and the time of year. The best move is to lock in your order as early as you can and be upfront about your deadline. Check out what the process looks like or get a quick order started and we'll let you know exactly what timeline to expect for your job.
