How Long Does Custom Merch Take? A Straightforward Look at Production Timelines

One of the most common questions we hear from businesses ordering custom merchandise is simple: how long is this going to take? The honest answer depends on a few factors, but understanding the process helps you plan your order with enough lead time to avoid a last-minute scramble.

The typical timeline

For most custom apparel orders — screen printed or embroidered — production runs about 10–14 business days from the point your mockup is approved. That window covers sourcing blanks, decorating them in-house at our Las Vegas facility, quality checks, and packing for shipment.

It's worth noting that the clock starts at mockup approval, not at the moment you place your order. If back-and-forth on artwork takes a few extra days, your ship date shifts accordingly. Getting your logo files and color specs to us early is the single biggest lever you have for a faster turnaround.

Why we don't start production until you sign off

We build every order around a mockup approval step: we don't start production until you approve the mockup. That means no surprises when the boxes arrive, and no do-overs because a color or logo placement wasn't what you expected. It adds a short review step up front, but it removes the much bigger risk of reprinting an entire order.

Planning around your event date

If you're ordering for a trade show, conference, or corporate event with a fixed date, work backward from that date. Add the 10-14 business day production window, plus a few days for shipping and a buffer for artwork revisions, and you'll have a realistic order-by date. For time-sensitive events, reach out early — the sooner we know your date, the more we can do to help you hit it.

What affects the timeline

• Order size: Larger bulk orders (100s or 1,000s of units) may need additional production days.
• Decoration method: Embroidery setup (digitizing a logo) can add time on the first order for a new design; reorders using an existing digitized logo move faster.
• Artwork readiness: Vector files and clear color specs speed up mockup approval. Low-resolution logos or unclear brand colors slow it down.
• Shipping destination: We ship to the United States, Canada, and the Philippines. Delivery time on top of production varies by destination.

The takeaway

Custom merch doesn't have to be a mystery. Know your event date, get your artwork ready early, and build in the 10-14 business day production window after mockup approval. If you have questions about timing for a specific order, call us at (702) 630-4646 and we'll help you map out a realistic schedule.