Start from the in-hands date, not the order date
The only date that matters is the day the boxes must be physically at your door, and it should be earlier than the day you actually need them. Leave a buffer of at least three to five working days for staff to unpack, count, steam and display the pieces. Everything else is subtracted from that date.
The five stages you have to count
| Stage | What happens | Typical time (confirm per order) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Brief and quote | You send product, quantity, artwork and delivery date. We confirm price and feasibility. | 1 to 3 working days |
| 2. Artwork and mockup | Logo is prepared for embroidery or print and you approve a mockup. | 2 to 5 working days, depending on how fast you reply |
| 3. Sample (optional) | A physical sample to check colour, stitching and fit. | 5 to 10 working days |
| 4. Production | Cutting, decoration, finishing, quality check, packing. | Roughly 2 to 4 weeks, depending on product and quantity |
| 5. Shipping and customs | Transport from Istanbul and import clearance. | Express courier: a few days. Road freight: about a week or more. Add customs time. |
Worked example: shop-ready by 10 December
Say a café in Copenhagen wants 150 embroidered beanies on the shelf on 10 December.
- Shelf date: 10 December.
- Buffer for unpacking and display (5 working days): 3 December arrival at the café.
- Shipping and customs (about 7 to 10 days by road freight): dispatch around 22 to 24 November.
- Production (about 3 weeks): production starts around 30 October to 2 November.
- Artwork and mockup approval (about 1 week): approved by around 23 to 26 October.
- Brief and quote (2 to 3 days): send the brief by about 20 October.
With a sample added, the brief moves back roughly another week. That is why late October is already tight for a December launch, and why sending the brief this week beats sending it next month.
How to save time without losing quality
- Send vector artwork first. An AI, SVG or PDF logo saves days against a screenshot.
- Pick one or two colourways. Every extra colour or size curve adds handling time.
- Approve fast. A mockup that waits three days for a reply costs three days of production.
- Skip the sample only if you have worked with the product before. If it is new to you, the sample usually costs less than a mistake on 150 pieces.
- Ship by express for the last stretch. If the calendar is the problem, express courier costs more per piece but buys back days. Ask for both quotes.
- Split the order. Ship a first batch for the launch and the rest later, if the quantity allows.
Which products suit a late Christmas order
Simple, widely stocked pieces move fastest: beanies, caps, tote bags, plain tees and socks with a single embroidered or printed logo. Fully custom knits, new fabrics and complex multi-placement designs need more lead time, so start those first or leave them for spring.
Send us the product, quantity and the date it must be in your shop. We will tell you straight away whether it works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to order custom Christmas merch from Istanbul?
It depends on your product, quantity and delivery date, so count backwards from the day you need the goods. As a rough guide, a delivery in the first half of December means sending the brief in the second half of October. The sooner you send the brief, the more options you keep.
How long does shipping from Istanbul to Europe take?
Express courier usually takes a few working days. Road freight for larger orders typically takes about a week or more. Customs clearance can add time, so your forwarder should confirm the schedule.
Can you rush a Christmas order?
Sometimes, depending on the product, quantity and current workload. Tell us the date in your first message and we will say honestly whether it is realistic.
Do I need a sample before ordering?
Not always. If you have worked with the product before, you can approve a digital mockup. For a new product or a new fabric, a sample is a cheap way to avoid an expensive mistake.
