Working with a tight deadline? The right product, artwork and delivery choices can help keep your award or deal toy moving smoothly through production.
Before you begin, check the estimated production time on the product page—and remember to add shipping time. Production and delivery are separate stages, so your arrival date needs to account for both.
Choose a Print-Only Design
Print-only products are generally the fastest to produce. Techniques such as embedments require additional production steps, so they may not be the best choice when time is limited.
For the simplest path, look for a design that can be completed using surface printing, etching or other standard personalization options.
Keep the Materials and Shape Simple
Multiple materials, intricate shapes and complex assembly can add time to production. A single-material design with a straightforward form is usually easier to produce quickly while still creating a polished, substantial result.
When speed matters, simplicity is your friend.
Use the Pre-Set Design Elements
The images, shapes and templates available in our online customization tool are already prepared for production. Using these pre-set elements reduces the chance of artwork issues and helps your order move directly into production.
You can still create something distinctive by changing the text, colors, layout and available design elements—without introducing new artwork that needs to be checked or corrected.
Upload Production-Ready Artwork
If you need to upload a logo or custom graphic, use a high-quality vector file whenever possible. Files such as AI, EPS or vector PDF artwork can be resized without losing quality and are typically the easiest to prepare for production.
Low-resolution images, screenshots and artwork copied from websites may appear blurry or contain errors that need to be corrected, slowing down your order.
Limit Individual Personalization
Adding a different name, title or message to every piece creates more artwork and more opportunities for errors. If timing is especially tight, consider using one shared design for the full order.
If individual personalization is essential, prepare a complete, carefully checked list before ordering. Late additions, spelling corrections and quantity changes may affect your timeline.
Review Everything Before You Submit
Confirm your:
· Spelling, dates and deal information
· Logos and artwork
· Quantity
· Delivery address
· Required arrival date
· Recipient names, if applicable
Changes made after production begins can cause delays—or may not be possible at all.
Respond Quickly to Questions or Proofs
If our team contacts you about artwork, order details or production, a fast response helps keep your project moving. Make sure the contact information on your order belongs to someone who is available to review and approve any necessary updates.
Ship to One Accessible Location
Shipping to a single address is usually faster and simpler than dividing an order across multiple recipients.
When possible, select a delivery location in the major city closest to the event or recipient. Distance and local infrastructure can affect transit times, and remote or rural destinations may require additional delivery time compared with a state or provincial capital.
You can always distribute the finished pieces locally once the complete order arrives.
Build in a Small Safety Buffer
Even a few extra days can make a meaningful difference. Carrier delays, severe weather, artwork corrections and last-minute changes can all affect a tight schedule.
Avoid planning for delivery on the day of your event. Whenever possible, have your order arrive several days early so you have time to inspect it and prepare for presentation.
Check Production Time—Then Add Shipping
Every product has an estimated production timeline shown on its product page. Use that estimate as your starting point, then add the expected shipping time to your destination.
If your required date is close, contact our team before ordering. We can help confirm whether the timeline is realistic and guide you toward the products and design choices best suited to a fast turnaround.
A tight deadline does not mean compromising on the result. Choose a production-ready design, keep the artwork simple and accurate, and plan delivery carefully to give your award or deal toy the clearest path from customization to presentation.
