PRINT PLAYBOOK GUIDE - PRODUCTION GUIDES
Part of Series: Production Guides
Turnaround Times Explained
ND4C Print Experts
Turnaround Times Explained
The definitive guide for understanding wholesale print production schedules, planning customer deadlines, and setting realistic delivery expectations.
Quick Answer
Turnaround time is the amount of time required to manufacture a print order after it is approved for production. At ND4C, turnaround does not start until any required proofs are approved. Production time is measured in business days and does not include shipping or delivery. Missing the daily cutoff time, requesting proofs, or adding finishing operations can extend the overall production schedule.
30-Word Definition
Turnaround time is the scheduled production period required for a wholesale printer to manufacture a completed order after artwork approval, excluding shipping time, weekends, holidays, and customer approval delays.
Expanded Explanation
Turnaround time tells you how long it takes to produce your printed materials, not how long it takes for them to arrive. Once your order is complete, approved, and ready for production, it enters the manufacturing queue. The printer then produces, finishes, inspects, packages, and prepares the order for shipment.
Several factors influence production time, including the printing method, product complexity, finishing operations, proof approvals, and whether the order was submitted before the daily cutoff time. Understanding these factors helps print resellers quote realistic delivery dates, avoid missed deadlines, and provide a better customer experience.
Direct Answers
Does turnaround include shipping?
No. Turnaround measures production only. Shipping or delivery time is not included in ND4C turnaround times.
When does turnaround begin?
Turnaround does not start until any required proofs are approved. The order must be ready to move into production.
Are turnaround times guaranteed?
No. ND4C's published turnaround times are intended to provide a fairly accurate production estimate, but they are not guaranteed. Stock and finish selections can also change the turnaround shown in the Product Calculator.
What happens if I submit my order after the cutoff?
Any product ordered after its published cutoff time adds one business day to the turnaround time. Always check the current product configuration and cutoff before promising a ship date.
What commonly adds production time?
Proofing and finishing are common schedule extenders. Folding, numbering, padding, perforation, or similar finishing each add about one business day. An email or online proof typically adds about one day, while a printed proof can add around three days.
Why This Matters
Retail customers often think in terms of delivery dates, while wholesale printers work from production schedules.
Understanding the difference allows you to:
- Promise realistic completion dates
- Reduce emergency rush requests
- Prevent disappointed customers
- Improve production planning
- Increase customer confidence
- Reduce costly scheduling mistakes
Simply telling a customer “four days” is not enough. You also need to consider proofing, shipping, weekends, holidays, finishing requirements, and the product's cutoff time.
When Production Speed Matters Most
Every print project has a deadline, but not every project needs the fastest possible turnaround.
Standard production usually makes sense when:
- The customer planned ahead
- Budget is the priority
- Multiple finishing operations are required
- Shipping transit time is flexible
Consider faster production options when:
- Marketing campaigns have fixed launch dates
- Event materials have hard deadlines
- Replacement orders are needed quickly
- Customers require immediate reprints
Rush and Next Day options are available only on certain products. ND4C states that Rush subtracts one day from the turnaround, while an eligible Next Day order ships the next business day when placed before cutoff.
How Turnaround Works
- Customer places the order.
- Artwork and proofing are resolved. Any required proof must be approved before turnaround begins.
- The job enters production. Printing method and product specifications determine the normal production path.
- Finishing is completed. Folding, numbering, padding, perforation, and similar operations can add production time.
- The order is inspected and packaged.
- Shipping begins. Transit time is separate from production turnaround.
Understanding ND4C's Production Policies
Business Days
Published turnaround is expressed in business days. When planning a customer deadline, do not count weekends or holidays as ordinary production days.
Daily Cutoff Times
ND4C's current published schedule uses product cutoffs of 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, or noon, depending on the product. Orders placed after the applicable cutoff add one business day to turnaround.
Turnaround Starts After Proof Approval
ND4C states that turnaround does not start until required proofs are approved. Proofing options in the calculator display turnaround with the reminder “After Proof approval.”
Finishing Adds Time
Folding, numbering, padding, perforation, or similar finishing operations each add about one business day. Multiple finishing operations can therefore add multiple days.
Example
If a job includes both numbering and padding, ND4C's published guidance says those two finishing operations add about two business days to the turnaround.
Proofs Add Time
| Proof Type | Typical Additional Time |
|---|---|
| Email / Online Proof | About 1 business day |
| Printed Proof | Around 3 business days |
Stock and Finishes Can Change the Schedule
ND4C notes that turnaround can vary greatly depending on stock and finishes. The current ND4C turnaround schedule is a useful reference, but the Product Calculator should be checked when building the actual order.
Custom Orders and Estimates
Custom orders and estimates are not necessarily based on the standard turnaround calculations. Treat the quoted schedule for the specific custom job as the relevant planning information.
Turnaround vs. Shipping Time
| Turnaround Time | Shipping Time |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing time | Delivery transit time |
| Begins after required proof approval | Begins after the order ships |
| Measured in business days | Depends on service level and destination |
| Can be affected by production and finishing | Is separate from ND4C's published production turnaround |
Always communicate both production time and estimated transit time when a customer's deadline depends on the order arriving by a specific date.
Typical ND4C Production Categories
The examples below reflect ND4C's published standard turnaround schedule. Always verify the current Product Calculator because stock, finishes, proofing, cutoff time, and job configuration can affect the actual schedule.
| Standard Turnaround | Example Products | Typical Production Profile |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 Business Days | Digital Business Cards, Digital Brochures & Flyers, Posters, Digital Posters, Spot NCR Forms | Faster-turn products and digital short runs |
| 3–4 Business Days | Brochures & Flyers, Premium Business Cards, Rack Cards, Letterhead, Doorhangers, Foldover Business Cards | Common commercial print products |
| 4–5 Business Days | Bookmarks, Greeting Cards, Standard Hang Tags, Table Tents, Stitched Booklets | Products with additional production or finishing requirements |
| 5–6 Business Days | Perfect Bound Booklets, Wire-O Booklets, Plastic Coil Booklets, Foil Business Cards, Shaped Business Cards | Binding, specialty shapes, or specialty finishing |
| 6–9 Business Days | Pocket Folders with Inserts, Desktop Calendars, Wire-O Wall Calendars, selected CMYK envelopes | More complex or specialty manufacturing |
Why Some Products Take Longer
Two products with identical quantities may have very different production schedules.
Example: Digital Business Cards
Digital Business Cards have a published standard turnaround of 2–3 business days. The production path is comparatively straightforward, including digital printing and trimming.
Example: Perfect Bound Booklets
Perfect Bound Booklets have a published standard turnaround of 5–6 business days. Booklet production involves additional manufacturing steps such as assembling, binding, trimming, and inspection.
The difference is not simply quantity. Manufacturing complexity matters.
Real Wholesale Examples
Example 1: Standard Brochures & Flyers
A standard Brochures & Flyers order has a published turnaround of 3–4 business days, with a 10:30 AM cutoff. Finishing and proofing can extend that schedule.
Example 2: Brochures with Proofing and Folding
Start with the product's standard production schedule. An email or online proof typically adds about one business day. Folding adds about another business day. The Product Calculator should be used to confirm the configured order's turnaround.
Example 3: Digital Business Cards
Digital Business Cards have a published standard turnaround of 2–3 business days and a noon cutoff. An order placed after the cutoff adds one business day.
Decision Checklist
Before promising a completion or delivery date, check:
- Was the order placed before the product's cutoff?
- Is the artwork ready for the order?
- Does the customer require a proof?
- Has any required proof been approved?
- Does the job include folding?
- Does it include scoring, perforation, numbering, padding, or other finishing?
- Have the selected stock and finishes changed the calculator's turnaround?
- Is the order custom rather than a standard catalog configuration?
- Have weekends and holidays been excluded from production-day calculations?
- Has shipping transit been added separately from production?
Common Mistakes
Confusing Production with Delivery
Production and shipping are separate timelines. ND4C's turnaround does not include shipping or delivery time.
Ignoring Cutoff Times
Placing an order after the product's cutoff adds one business day to turnaround.
Forgetting Proof Time
Turnaround does not begin until required proofs are approved. Email or online proofs typically add about one day, and printed proofs can add around three days.
Overlooking Finishing Operations
Folding, numbering, padding, perforation, and similar finishing each add about one business day.
Promising Calendar Days
Plan published production schedules in business days, not ordinary calendar days.
Assuming Every Product Runs Equally Fast
Digital business cards, brochures, envelopes, bound booklets, and calendars follow different production paths. Check the actual product rather than applying one generic turnaround to the catalog.
Best Practices
- Plan backward from the customer's required delivery date.
- Submit artwork early.
- Resolve proof approvals quickly.
- Check whether digital production offers a suitable faster-turn option for the job.
- Build reasonable buffer time into deadline-sensitive projects.
- Explain production time and shipping time separately.
- Review cutoff times before placing late-day orders.
- Use the Product Calculator for the configured job instead of relying only on a general turnaround range.
Common Questions
Does turnaround include weekends?
Published production schedules are expressed in business days. Do not treat weekends as ordinary production days when planning a deadline.
Does shipping count toward turnaround?
No. ND4C states that shipping or delivery time is not included in turnaround.
When does production turnaround actually start?
Turnaround does not start until any required proofs are approved.
What happens if I order after the cutoff?
ND4C states that ordering after the applicable cutoff adds one business day to the turnaround.
Can finishing delay my order?
Yes. Folding, numbering, padding, perforation, and similar finishing each add about one business day.
Does an email or online proof add time?
Yes. It typically adds about one business day to the turnaround.
What about a printed proof?
A printed proof can add around three business days.
Are digital products always faster?
Not always. Some digital products have shorter published schedules, but turnaround depends on the specific product and configuration. Check the Product Calculator.
Why do bound booklets take longer?
Bound booklets require additional production steps beyond printing, including assembly, binding, trimming, and inspection.
Can every product be rushed?
No. Rush and Next Day printing are offered only for certain products.
What does Rush do?
For products where Rush is available, ND4C states that Rush subtracts one business day from the turnaround time.
What does Next Day mean?
For eligible products, a Next Day order ships the next business day when it is placed before the applicable cutoff time.
Why can stock or finish selections change turnaround?
Different materials and finishing requirements can change the production path. ND4C recommends checking the Product Calculator for the configured job.
Can I guarantee a customer's delivery date?
Published turnaround times are not guaranteed, and shipping is separate. For deadline-sensitive work, account for production, proofing, finishing, cutoff times, weekends, holidays, and transit time.
Related Guides
Continue learning about wholesale print production with these Print Playbook resources:
- How Trade Printing Works
- Blind Shipping Explained
- Digital vs. Offset Printing
- How to Outsource Print Production
- Short Run Printing Explained
- File Setup Guide
- Spot Color vs. CMYK
- Synthetic Print Guide
- Wholesale Business Card Guide
These titles are intentionally left link-ready where a final published Print Playbook URL could not be verified.
Final Thoughts
Understanding turnaround times helps print resellers set realistic expectations, reduce unnecessary rush requests, and plan customer deadlines more accurately. Account for cutoff times, proof approvals, finishing operations, and shipping separately from production.
Whether you're ordering digital business cards for a quick reprint or coordinating a run of bound booklets, knowing how turnaround is calculated helps you plan more effectively and avoid surprises.
Final Next Step
Before promising a deadline, check the current ND4C turnaround schedule, then build the exact job in the Product Calculator so the selected stock, finishes, proofing, and production options are reflected.
Need a different product or configuration? Browse the ND4C product catalog or use the Templates & Guides page to prepare artwork for production.
