What is your delivery time?
Production lead time for custom orders is 15-45 days, depending on specification and packaging customization. Orders already held in stock ship faster, and the final schedule is confirmed when the order is placed.
Lead time by order type
| Order type | Lead time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stock SKU | About 3-4 days after payment | Held in stock, so no production slot is required |
| Standard-line customization (packaging or branding changes) | Towards the shorter end of 15-45 days | Specification unchanged; only packaging and marking are added |
| OEM / ODM development | Towards the longer end of 15-45 days | Includes sample approval, color formulation and tooling |
What the production time is made up of
| Stage | What happens | Effect on total time |
|---|---|---|
| Sample approval | A sample built to your specification, signed off on feel, color and packaging | Approval later means production starts later |
| Material preparation | Core material, pigment, barrels and packaging components brought in | Special colors or materials extend this |
| Production and assembly | The run is scheduled as a batch and assembled into sets | Quantity determines the number of batches |
| Packaging and printing | Color boxes, blisters, inserts and marking printed | Printing carries a minimum run |
| Inspection and dispatch | Pre-shipment inspection, booking and loading | Allow extra in peak season |
Why the answer is a range rather than a fixed number
The same product varies considerably with configuration: changing the packaging material, adding an insert, altering the color count or developing a new mold each change the production slot. A range with the drivers named is more useful than a single figure that frequently does not hold — the closer the requirement sits to the standard line, the closer delivery sits to 15 days.
What pushes towards 45 days, and what pulls towards 15
| Towards 45 days | Towards 15 days |
|---|---|
| Tooling required, or a new barrel or box format | Standard product platform, specification unchanged |
| High color count requiring batch color matching | Packaging reprint or label application only |
| Complex packaging such as multi-layer inserts or shaped blisters | Standard packaging and standard colourways |
| A production slot in the run-up to peak season | Stock already held, so no slot is required |
When the clock starts
Lead time normally runs from sample approval and receipt of the deposit, not from the date of inquiry. The start point is stated on the order confirmation, and it is worth agreeing it there so that both sides work from the same date.
Working to a fixed event date
Gift and promotional programs are date-driven, with delivery tied to an event. Allow time for sample approval and freight, and give us the event deadline in advance so that we can confirm whether the schedule is achievable.
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