Order Timeline

From Quote

To Delivered.

Most orders take 4 to 5 weeks from quote to delivery. That breaks down into a 48-hour quote turnaround, 3 to 5 days for mockup approval, 2 to 3 weeks of production, and 1 to 5 days for shipping depending on your location.
If your timeline is tighter than that, rush production is available for most services. Here is what to expect at each stage of your order.

48hr

Quote Response

3–5d

Mockup Delivery

2–3 wks

Production

1–5d

Shipping

Please Note

Timelines start from the day you approve your proof, not the day you place your order. Rush production is available. Tell us your deadline upfront and we'll confirm what's possible.

The Timeline

6 Phases From Inquiry to Your Door

A clear, no-surprises process – so you always know exactly where your order stands and what comes next.

Phase 01

Day 1

Start Here

Free · No Commitment

Submit Your Quote

Fill out our quote form with your product type, quantity, timeline, and any artwork or brand assets you have. No brief is too rough. We ask the right questions to fill in any gaps.

Time Required

Under 3 minutes

What to Have

Logo or rough idea

Cost

Free, zero obligation

Phase 02

Within 48hrs

After Inquiry

Dedicated Rep

Quote & Rep Assigned

Your dedicated account rep reviews your project, prepares a detailed itemized quote, and reaches out within 48 business hours. They’ll be your single point of contact from here through delivery.

Response Time

Within 48 hours

What You Get

Itemized quote

Next Step

Deposit to proceed

Phase 03

3–5 Days

After Deposit

Unlimited Revisions

Design & Mockup Approval

Our in-house design team preps your artwork and creates a photorealistic digital mockup. You review, request changes, and give written sign-off. Nothing goes to print until you approve.

Mockup Delivery

3–5 business days

Revisions

Unlimited, included

Physical Sample

On request (larger runs)

Phase 04

2–3 Weeks

After Proof Approval

In-House · Jacksonville FL

Production & QC

Your order enters our in-house production facility. Screen printing, embroidery, cut & sew, all under our roof. You’ll receive updates throughout. Every unit is QC-checked before packing.

Standard Lead

2–3 weeks

QC Check

Every order

Updates

Throughout production

Phase 05

1–5 Days

After Production

Tracked · All 50 States

Shipping & Delivery

Your QC-cleared order is packed and ships with full tracking. We handle single locations or many. Split shipments are coordinated for franchise and corporate accounts nationwide.

Standard Transit

3–7 business days

Tracking

Included, emailed on ship

Coverage

All 50 US states

Phase 06

Ongoing

Long-Term

One Message Away

Reorders & Programs

We store your artwork, specs, and order history. Reorders are faster every time. Same quality, no re-briefing. For ongoing programs, we set up a merch portal so your team can self-order anytime.

Reorder Lead

Faster than first order

Artwork

Stored on file

Merch Portal

Available for programs

Rush Orders

Need It Faster? Tell Us Your Deadline.

Rush production and expedited shipping are available on most orders. The earlier you tell us your deadline, the better we can deliver. Last-minute requests may not be feasible for large orders.

Rush Production

Accelerated Manufacturing

We prioritize your order in our production queue to cut the standard 2–3 week lead time down significantly. Available on most product types, confirmed per order.

Expedited Shipping

Express Delivery Options

Once your order is complete, we can ship via express carriers to get it to you faster. Rush shipping can be combined with rush production for the tightest timelines.

Seasonal Note

Plan Ahead for Peak Seasons

Production timelines may extend during peak seasons, typically October through December and May through June. If your order needs to arrive before a holiday, event, or season opener, we recommend starting at least 4–6 weeks in advance. Contact your rep early and we'll lock in your timeline.

Standard Production Lead Times by Service

Typical timelines

Production timelines begin once your artwork is approved and your order is confirmed, not on the date the order is placed. Lead times vary by service because each decoration method and production process runs on its own equipment, staffing, and curing or finishing requirements.

Rush production is available for most services at an additional cost, subject to current production capacity.

Service	Standard Production	Rush Available	Notes
Screen Printing	7–10 Business Days	Yes — quoted per order	Turnaround starts after proof approval
Embroidery	7–10 Business Days	Yes — quoted per order	Digitization required on first run
DTG Printing	5–7 Business Days	Yes — on request	Ideal for small runs and samples
DTF Printing	5–7 Business Days	Yes — on request	Works on most fabric types
Cut & Sew	2–4 Weeks	Contact us	Fully custom garments from scratch
Fulfillment (in-stock)	2–3 Business Days	Same day where eligible	Requires pre-produced inventory on hand

Add-On Services Extend Turnaround

Additional services add production days on top of your standard turnaround. These are business days, not calendar days. Orders that combine multiple add-ons stack those days cumulatively.

Add-On Service	Additional Business Days
Special Location (pocket, inside out)	+1 day
Bag and Tag	+2 days
Neck Tags	+2 days
Hem Tags	+3 days
Print and Embroidery (same garment)	+4 days

If your deadline is fixed, notify us when placing the order. We will confirm whether the combined timeline works before production begins.

Rush Production Fees

Rush production runs our staff at overtime hours. That cost is passed directly as a percentage of your order total. Rush availability is not guaranteed, contact a sales representative for a quote before assuming a slot is open.

Rush orders require payment in full. No deposit split. Full payment holds your production slot and avoids any delay from a split payment process. If your order includes materials from third-party vendors, MFG Merch is not responsible for vendor shortages or shipping delays outside our control.

Turnaround	Rush Fee (added to order total)
1 business day	+100% of order total
2 business days	+90% of order total
3 business days	+80% of order total
4 business days	+70% of order total
5 business days	+60% of order total
6 business days	+50% of order total

At a glance

Full Timeline Summary

Phase	Timing	What Happens
01. Submit Quote	Day 1	Fill out our quick form. Free, no commitment required.
02. Quote & Rep	Within 48hrs	Itemized quote delivered and dedicated rep assigned.
03. Design & Proof	3–5 business days after deposit	Photorealistic mockup created. Unlimited revisions until you approve.
04. Production	2–3 weeks after proof approval	In-house manufacturing with QC inspection before packing.
05. Shipping	3–7 business days after production	Ships with full tracking to one location or many.
Total (Standard)	~4–5 weeks end-to-end	From first contact to delivery at your door.
Rush Option	7–10 business days production	Expedited production + express shipping available. Confirm at quote.

Common Questions

Timeline FAQ

When does my production timeline actually start?

Your production clock starts the day you approve your digital proof. Not the day you place your order or pay your deposit. The faster you approve, the faster your order ships.

What's the total time from quote to delivery?

For a standard order: 48 hours for a quote, 3–5 days for a proof, 2–3 weeks for production, and 3–7 days for shipping. Total is roughly 4–5 weeks from first contact to delivery. Cut & Sew orders run longer at 12–18 weeks due to full garment manufacturing from scratch.

Can I get my order in under 2 weeks?

It depends on your quantity, product type, and how quickly you approve the proof. Rush production is available. Tell us your deadline when you submit your quote and we’ll confirm whether it’s achievable.

What if I take a long time to approve the proof?

Your production slot is held for a reasonable window after proof delivery. Extended delays may push your production start date. If you have a hard deadline, let us know upfront and we’ll help you stay on track.

Do larger orders take longer to produce?

Generally yes, but not dramatically. Standard orders of 12–500 pieces fall within our 2–3 week window. Very large orders (1,000+ units) may require additional lead time, confirmed in your quote.

What if there's a production delay on your end?

Your dedicated rep will contact you with an updated completion date as soon as a delay is identified. MFG Merch does its best to accurately estimate completion dates. For delays caused by third-party vendor shortages or material shipping issues outside our control, MFG Merch is not liable for the extended timeline. If your order requires a material substitution, we will present alternatives for your approval before proceeding — or refund your deposit if no suitable replacement is available.

Ready to Lock In

Your Timeline?

48-hour quote turnaround
Free design support included
No commitment until you approve