Service targets · business days
How quickly can your order move?
- 01 / QUOTATION1 business day
Target for an initial reply and a standard quote when your quantity, design and destination are clear.
- 02 / DIGITAL PROOF1–2 business days
Target for a first layout from a usable logo or brief. New illustration and revisions need extra time.
- 03 / PHYSICAL SAMPLE5–7 business days
Target for eligible simple designs after proof approval. New complex tooling is scheduled separately; sample shipping is extra.
- 04 / BULK PRODUCTION10–15 business days
Fast-track target for eligible standard soft-enamel orders after approvals and deposit, subject to available capacity.
Fast-track production target: 10–15 business days for eligible standard soft-enamel orders after final artwork, any required sample and deposit are approved. Subject to capacity and material availability; excludes sampling, transit, customs and holidays. Confirm your in-hand date before ordering.
What the clock includes
Quote and proof targets start when the brief and usable artwork are complete. Sampling starts after proof approval. Bulk production starts after final approvals and the agreed deposit. Customer revisions, sample transit and waiting for approvals add time.
Complex 3D tooling, mixed finishes, multiple versions and presentation-box assembly need a separate schedule. Express transit can be discussed at an indicative 3–7 business days for supported routes after dispatch; destination, customs and carrier conditions can change this. Your quote must confirm the actual shipping estimate.
Tell us the date the medals must be in your hands. We will review whether the production slot and shipping route can meet it before accepting the order.
The full production timeline
Artwork and proofing time
Incomplete artwork, unclear size or repeated design changes delay the start of production. Buyers should consolidate feedback and confirm spelling, dates, colors, relief, reverse-side details and packaging in one approval cycle where possible. For a fixed finish-line date, use our race medal brief; for quality checkpoints between production and dispatch, review our factory production evidence.
Tooling and physical samples
A digital proof is faster than a physical sample but does not show every material or finish effect. A pre-production sample can reduce risk for complex, high-value or first-time projects, while adding manufacturing and transport time. Agree whether the sample must be physically received before bulk production.
Bulk production factors
- Quantity and number of designs
- Soft enamel, hard enamel, printing or mixed processes
- 2D or 3D tooling complexity
- Special plating, color matching or epoxy
- Custom ribbons, cards, boxes or individual assembly
- Current factory schedule and seasonal demand
Inspection and packing
Inspection should not be removed merely to shorten the schedule. Instead, define the inspection scope early: appearance, dimensions, color, attachments, ribbon, count, labels and carton marks. Complex retail packaging usually needs more assembly time than bulk packing.
International shipping
Production completion is not the same as delivery. Courier can suit smaller urgent shipments, air freight can suit moderate cargo, and sea freight can suit larger programs with longer planning windows. Customs clearance and local delivery responsibilities must also be confirmed.
How to plan around a fixed event date
- State the required in-hand date, not only the event date
- Allow time for local sorting and distribution
- Approve artwork promptly and in writing
- Avoid late design changes after tooling starts
- Confirm the shipping method before production finishes
- Discuss a backup plan if the schedule is unusually tight
Updated buyer answers · 2026-08-29
Questions buyers ask before they approve this specification
These answers expand the guide around the purchase decisions most likely to change price, production feasibility, quality control or the required in-hand date.
How long do custom medals take to produce and deliver?
The answer depends on artwork readiness, process complexity, quantity, sample requirements, factory schedule, packing and destination. Ask for an order-specific timeline divided into proofing, tooling or sampling, bulk production, inspection and transport. A single production estimate that excludes approval and shipping is not a complete event plan.
How early should I order medals before a fixed event date?
Begin as early as practical and provide the required in-hand date, not only the event date. Allow time after delivery for counting, sorting and correcting any issue. If sponsor logos or participant quantity may change, set internal approval deadlines so those decisions do not consume the production and shipping buffer.
What causes delays in custom medal production?
Common causes include incomplete artwork, repeated proof changes, late sponsor approval, unclear color references, a physical sample added after schedule approval, special packaging and a shipping method chosen too late. A written responsibility list helps the buyer and factory see which decision is blocking the next stage.
Common buyer questions
Common questions
Can production start before artwork approval?
It should not start without a clearly approved production proof. Starting early with unresolved details increases the risk of rework or incorrect goods.
Does a physical sample add time?
Yes. It requires production, inspection, shipping and buyer approval before bulk production, but it can be valuable for complex projects.
What information is needed for an accurate schedule?
Quantity, number of designs, size, process, finish, packaging, destination and required in-hand date.
Can shipping be arranged before the goods are finished?
The method and estimate can be planned early, while final chargeable weight and carton details are confirmed after packing.
Factory quotation · MOQ from 100 pieces
Request a Specification-Based Production Timeline Quote
Send one written specification covering quantity, artwork, size, finish, ribbon or attachment, packing, destination and required in-hand date. We will review feasibility before quoting.