For the best results and quality, you should generally order promotional products at least six to eight weeks before your deadline. That gives the supplier time to work with you on your logo and artwork for the item, order your products from the manufacturer, get them printed, packaged and shipped to you, and deal with any last minute concerns ? all in plenty of time for your event.
Occasionally, though, something comes up with a shorter time frame. You may be invited to participate in a conference with little lead time. Maybe another company let you down and you need something to hand out at a trade show in a hurry. Or maybe you just have one of those bosses who makes decisions at the last minute. All is not lost. Most promotional products suppliers have a range of products that they keep on hand or can order with just a few days lead time for just that type of emergency.
These are items that don't need to be specially made, that may be kept on hand or can be delivered on short notice from the factory. They won't be nearly as impressive and you won't have the range of choices you'd have with longer lead time, but there's still an impressive array of promotional products that can be had with less than 7 days lead time. This is a list of some of the items that you can commonly expect a promotional products supplier to be able to put on a rush order for you.
Printed Pens Pens are among the quickest and easiest of promotional products as long as you order from the lower range. High range engraved metal pens will generally take longer, as will most executive level gifts, however many plastic printed pens can be had in 7 days or less, including shipping time.
Plastic Key Rings Like pens, plastic key rings in many different styles are easy to keep on hand and as long as you stick with standards shapes and sizes and one color stock printing, you can usually get them filled in a rush order. In some cases, you can have them in as little as 3-5 days, as long as your order meets certain conditions.
Coffee Mugs You can often get coffee mugs printed up in short order as long as you are ordering from a standard range and keep the print to a one color process. Any special printing or artwork might make it impossible to get your order done on time, though, so be sure to check with your supplier for details.
Memo Blocks Generally, you can order memo blocks with your logo or advertising message printed on each side of the block. Usually, though, you'll have to forego printing on each sheet
Rush Orders ? What to Expect Since promotional products are personalized, you can't expect to just stop into the store and walk out with your items. In most cases, the supplier of your promotional products will need at least 15 days lead time AFTER the approval of your artwork for the order. If you need your items sooner than that, there are usually conditions that will apply. Most commonly:
1.Your choice of products will be limited to a small range from the supplier's usual catalogue. In addition, you may only be able to order items with one color of stock printing.
2.You should expect to have your own camera-ready art all set and ready to go.
3.Expect to get an early start on your day the first day. Most suppliers will want your order placed, your payment in hand and your artwork approved and ready to go well before noon on day one of their express timeline.