Turnaround Times

Printing Turnaround Time Tables | Cincinnati Minuteman Press
Plan Your Printing Deadline

Turnaround Time Tables

Review how production days are counted for same-business-day, next-business-day and multi-day printing schedules. Turnaround begins only after the order, artwork, payment and required approvals are complete.

Production Time at a Glance

Understand Your Estimated Printing Schedule

Turnaround refers to the estimated time needed to manufacture an order. It does not include design work, file corrections, proof-review time, pickup, local delivery or shipping transit.

Production Time Only The published schedule covers manufacturing after the order is ready.
Complete Files Required Print-ready artwork or an approved design must be received.
Business Days Weekends and observed holidays are not counted as production days.
Shipping Is Separate Carrier transit begins only after production has been completed.
Visual Production Calendar

How Production Days Are Counted

Turnaround time table showing same business day, next business day, next plus one business day, two to four business days, five to seven business days, and eight to ten business days

Green days represent estimated production days. White days are not included in the selected production schedule. Saturday and Sunday are closed and are not counted as business days.

When the Production Clock Starts

All Order Requirements Must Be Complete

Production does not begin when a quote is requested, a file is first uploaded or an incomplete order is submitted. The production schedule begins after every required item has been received and accepted.

Completed Order The product, quantity, size, paper and finishing selections must be confirmed.
Print-Ready Artwork Files must be suitable for production, or the requested design must be approved.
Required Payment Payment or required deposit must be received according to the order terms.
Proof Approval When a proof is provided, production begins only after approval is received.
12:00 PM Eastern Time Cutoff
Daily Production Cutoff

Submit Complete Orders Before Noon Eastern

Orders received with complete artwork and all required approvals before 12:00 PM Eastern are scheduled according to the selected turnaround option. Orders completed after the cutoff generally begin processing on the next business day.

Same-business-day service may have additional product, quantity and artwork-readiness restrictions.

Available Production Speeds

Choose a Schedule That Matches Your Deadline

Available turnaround options vary by product, quantity, material, finishing and production capacity.

Same Business Day

Limited products and quantities only. Complete artwork must be received before the published cutoff and may require confirmation.

Next Business Day

Production is completed by the end of the following eligible business day when all order requirements are received on time.

Next + 1 Business Day

The first and second eligible business days are counted as production days after the order is ready.

2–4 Business Days

A common schedule for many standard quick and short run printing products.

5–7 Business Days

Often applies to products, quantities or finishing processes that require additional manufacturing time.

8–10 Business Days

Common for selected bulk, specialty, outsourced or more complex production processes.

What Can Affect Turnaround?

Avoid Common Causes of Production Delay

The estimated production schedule may change when an order requires correction, clarification, revised approval or special materials.

Artwork Revisions Text, color, size or layout changes can restart the proof and approval process.
Proof Approval Delays Production remains on hold until the required approval is received.
Incomplete Files Missing bleed, low resolution, missing fonts or incorrect sizing may require correction.
Special Materials Special paper, substrates, coatings and finishing may need additional time.
Large Quantities Higher-volume orders may require a longer production schedule.
Weekends and Holidays Closed days are not counted as production business days.

Prepare artwork using the Print File Checklist to reduce avoidable delays.

Production Versus Fulfillment

Add Pickup, Delivery or Shipping Time Separately

The date production is completed is not always the date the order will be received. Consider the selected fulfillment method when planning an event, mailing or in-hand deadline.

Production Turnaround

The time used to manufacture the printed order after it is fully ready.

  • Begins after the daily cutoff rules are applied
  • Counts eligible production business days
  • Excludes design, proof review and shipping transit

Pickup, Delivery or Shipping

The time required to transfer the completed order to the customer.

  • Pickup is available after the order-ready notification
  • Eligible local delivery occurs during regular business hours
  • Nationwide shipping time varies by destination and service level

Review Pickup, Local Delivery and Shipping Guidelines .

Working With a Firm Deadline?

Confirm the Schedule Before Ordering

Contact our team before placing the order when you have a required event date, mailing date or in-hand deadline. We will help identify the fastest eligible production and fulfillment option whenever possible.