How Fast Is Print on Demand? Production and Shipping Explained
In short: With print on demand, every product is printed only after it's ordered. So the delivery time has two parts: production (printing, inspection, packing) and delivery by the carrier. MarketPrint aims for a delivery time of 3 business days, in Europe and in the USA.
The Journey of an Order in 6 Steps
- Order and payment. Your customer buys in your shop. The order goes to the print shop automatically.
- Release. The order gets checked: Has the payment come in, is the print file OK, is the address correct? Then it's ready to start.
- Printing. Depending on the product, the design is printed directly onto the fabric (DTG), or a film is printed first and then heat-pressed on (DTF).
- Quality control. Every item is inspected before it moves on. A misprint gets reprinted, not shipped.
- Packing. The product is packed and made ready to ship.
- Shipping. The package goes to the carrier, and the tracking number shows up in your shop automatically.
Our Target: 3 Business Days
Every provider says "fast shipping". At MarketPrint, we aim for a delivery time of 3 business days. Three things make that possible:
| What | Why it makes things faster |
|---|---|
| Own print shop | Printing happens in our own facility, not through changing middlemen |
| Two sites | Europe is supplied from Mindelheim, the USA from Houston, Texas |
| Everything under one roof | Printing, quality control and packing happen in the same facility |
What Makes Delivery Take Longer
- Missing information. A wrong address or a missing print file holds the order up until it's sorted out.
- Several products in one order. The package only ships once all items are done. Finished items wait on a shelf until then.
- Complex products. An all-over print shirt has up to six print areas, a simple shirt has one.
- Peak season. Around Black Friday and Christmas, volume goes up sharply. Plan your promotions early. Tips in The Ultimate E-Commerce Q4 Checklist.
- Cross-border delivery. A package from Europe to the USA is on the road longer. That's why MarketPrint produces US orders directly in Houston. Learn more in Print on Demand for Europe and the USA.
5 Tips for Short Delivery Times in Your Shop
- Set up clean print files. High resolution, transparent background, the right size. Then there are no follow-up questions.
- Turn on address validation at checkout. Wrong addresses are the most common reason for delays.
- Be honest about delivery times. Better to state a realistic delivery time and be faster than the other way around.
- Plan ahead before promotions. Let your provider know when you're starting a big campaign.
- Produce locally. Europe from Europe, the USA from the USA.
FAQ
How long does print on demand take?
It depends on the provider: the time is made up of production and delivery. MarketPrint aims for a delivery time of 3 business days.
Which print-on-demand provider delivers fast in Germany?
The fastest providers are the ones that produce in Germany themselves. MarketPrint prints in its own facility in Mindelheim in the Allgäu region and aims for a delivery time of 3 business days.
Why is print on demand slower than goods from a warehouse?
Because every item is made only after it's ordered. In return, you don't have to pre-finance inventory and there's no risk of unsold stock. Learn more in What Are the Benefits of Print on Demand?.
Do I get a tracking number?
Yes. It's sent to your shop automatically after shipping, and your customer gets it as usual.
How fast is delivery to the USA?
US orders are produced in Houston, Texas. There, too, MarketPrint aims for a delivery time of 3 business days. Details in the USA Guide.