Guide
Printing turnaround time by product
"How fast can I get it?" has two answers — production time and transit time. Here are the real ranges for each product family we sell, what starts the clock, and how to lock in a hard in-hands date.
Quick answer
Standard business cards and standard postcards print same or next business day at our Boston facility, then ship in 1 to 6 business days. Premium business cards run next business day on smaller orders, or 4 to 8 business days on larger quantities and complex finishing. Business card holders take 8 to 21 business days, and ID card printers, supplies and blank PVC cards take about 3 to 5 business days to reach us plus 2 to 5 business days to you.
Turnaround by product
Production time depends on the quantity, the finishing and which facility the job runs at — we route each job to whichever supplier fits the product best, so a range is the honest answer. Tell us the product, quantity and your in-hands date and we'll confirm an exact schedule for your job before you order.
| Product family | Production (after proof approval) | Shipping (domestic US) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard business cards & standard postcards (printed in Boston) | Same or next business day | 1–6 business days |
| Premium business cards — smaller orders | Next business day at our fastest facility | 1–6 business days |
| Premium business cards — larger quantities or complex finishing | 4–8 business days (rush from 4 days on some products, additional cost) | 1–6 business days |
| Business card holders | 8–21 business days depending on quantity | Included in the range above |
| ID card printers, printer supplies & blank PVC cards | 3–5 business days to reach our warehouse | 2–5 business days to you |
These are typical ranges, not guarantees. Free economy shipping applies to domestic US orders over $75; express upgrades are priced at checkout.
The two halves of a delivery date
| Stage | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Artwork check & proof | We check bleed, resolution and colour, then send a proof for approval | Same day to 1 business day with print-ready files |
| Production | Printing, coating or lamination, cutting and finishing | Same day to 8 business days after approval, by product |
| Economy shipping (free over $75) | USPS, UPS, FedEx or DHL from a US or Canadian facility | 1 to 6 business days |
| Express shipping | Upgraded service selected at checkout | Faster; availability varies by product and quantity |
What starts the clock
Approval, not payment. Turnaround begins when the artwork is approved. The single biggest cause of a missed deadline is a file that needs fixing — a low-resolution logo, missing bleed, or RGB colour that has to be converted.
- Supply a press-ready PDF at 300 DPI in CMYK.
- Include 0.125" bleed on every edge and keep text 0.125" inside the trim.
- Outline or embed fonts.
- Approve the proof the day you receive it.
Do those four things and your job starts on the first production day instead of the third.
What slows an order down
- Quantity. The same premium card that runs next business day at 500 can take 4 to 8 business days at several thousand. Bigger runs can also carry additional shipping charges.
- Finishing. Lamination, spot UV, foil and die-cutting each add a pass. Plain 14 pt gloss cards move fastest.
- Where the job runs. We route work to whichever facility suits the product. Jobs we run in Boston are the quickest; specialty premium work goes to partners whose standard schedule is 6 to 8 business days, with rush from about 4 days at additional cost.
- Stock items. Printers, printer supplies and blank PVC cards ship to us in 3 to 5 business days before going out to you — if something is on backorder we tell you rather than let the order sit.
- Holders and hard goods. Business card holders are an 8 to 21 business day item depending on quantity. Order them well ahead of an event.
- Physical proofs. A mailed PVC proof is worth it on a first order, but it adds a shipping round trip.
Hitting a hard deadline
Working backwards from an event, mailing drop or new-hire start date is the reliable way to do this:
- Fix your in-hands date.
- Subtract shipping — 1 to 6 business days on economy, less with an express upgrade.
- Subtract production from the table above for your product and quantity.
- Subtract one day for proofing.
- Email us the date before ordering so we can confirm the schedule and any rush charge.
Worked example. You need 500 standard business cards in hand on a Friday. Allow up to 6 business days for economy shipping, 1 business day of production and 1 day for proofing — so approve artwork about two weeks out and you have slack. Need them faster? Same-week delivery is realistic on standard cards with an express shipping upgrade.
Rush production is available on some premium products but not every product or quantity — confirming first costs nothing and avoids a cancelled order.
FAQ
How long does it take to print business cards?
Standard business cards printed at our Boston facility are produced same or next business day, then 1 to 6 business days in transit. Premium business cards run next business day on smaller orders, or 4 to 8 business days for larger quantities and complex finishing. Production starts after proof approval.
Can I get business cards next day?
Yes on standard business cards and standard postcards, which we run in Boston same or next business day, and on smaller premium business card orders. Delivery still takes 1 to 6 business days on top unless you upgrade shipping. Tell us your in-hands date before ordering and we will confirm it.
When does the turnaround clock start?
Turnaround starts when your artwork is approved, not when the order is placed. Print-ready files approved the same day keep the schedule tight; files that need fixes push the start date.
Do you offer rush printing?
On some premium business card products rush production can bring a 6 to 8 business day job down to about 4 business days for an additional cost. Availability depends on the product and quantity, so contact us with your in-hands date before you order and we will confirm the schedule and the rush charge.
How long do business card holders take?
Most business card holders take 8 to 21 business days depending on the quantity ordered. Larger orders sit at the longer end of that range, so plan holders well ahead of an event.
How long do ID card printers and supplies take?
Evolis printers, printer supplies and blank PVC cards take about 3 to 5 business days to ship to us, then another 2 to 5 business days to reach you in the domestic US — roughly one to two weeks door to door.
Why is turnaround given as a range?
Production time depends on the quantity, the finishing and which facility the job runs at. We route work to whichever supplier fits the product best, so the honest answer is a range — and we will confirm an exact date for your specific job on request.
Is shipping free?
Free economy shipping applies to domestic US orders over $75 and runs 1 to 6 business days. Express upgrades are priced at checkout, and larger-quantity orders may require additional shipping charges.
Can you confirm a delivery date before I order?
Yes. Email us the product, quantity and your in-hands date and we will confirm what is achievable before you pay.
Need it by a date?
Request a quote → with your in-hands date, or contact us and we'll confirm before you order. Full details are in our shipping policy.
Related reading: EDDM cost per piece, business card paper types, and our full FAQ.