- 1Event dayThe day you hand out the merch.
- 2Receiving dateSet a few days before the event day, leaving time to unpack and prepare the merch for handout.
- 3Production startThe receiving date minus delivery time and production time (1 to 5 weeks by item).
- 4Mockup approval & paymentMust be finished before production starts. Leave room, since a mockup can go through several rounds of revisions.
- 5First inquirySend the first inquiry ahead of the mockup approval date, adding time for the quote and mockup work.
For example, the event is on Friday, November 20, 2026, and you want to receive light crew neck tees, which have a 2-week (10 business day) lead time, on Wednesday, November 18. Assuming delivery takes 2 business days, the tees must ship on Monday, November 16, and subtracting 10 business days of production means mockup approval and payment must be finished by Friday, October 30.
Actual delivery time varies by region and quantity, so share your event date and your consultant will count back from the event date and plan the schedule.
The table below assumes an event on Friday, December 18, 2026, delivery two days earlier on Wednesday, December 16, and 2 business days of shipping. In this case the order must ship on Monday, December 14.
| Production time | Example products | Mockup approval and payment deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week (5 business days) | Acrylic keyring, Removable custom-shape sticker, Buckle-holder air pocket mini fan | Fri, Dec 4 |
| 2 weeks (10 business days) | Light crew neck T-shirt, Color tumbler, Eco bag | Fri, Nov 27 |
| 3 weeks (15 business days) | Metal keyring, Ball cap (2-3 weeks) | Fri, Nov 20 |
| 4 weeks (20 business days) | Uniform jersey, Bucket hat, Paper shopping bag | Fri, Nov 13 |
| 5 weeks (25 business days) | Waterproof clear eco bag | Fri, Nov 6 |
You also need time for the quote and mockup revisions before the deadline, so we recommend making the first inquiry at least a week earlier. If you want items with different production times to arrive together, plan around the deadline of the slowest item.