What is the typical timeframe for BizGifts project ?

I touched already this topic little bit in the BizGifts and Chinese New Year Part 2 post last week, but that was the Holiday Special . The wrong timing wrecks many promotional product and business gifts projects all the year round, so let’s have a look at this project timing issue and get some “How To” hints .

There are many different factors that affect the timeline of a BizGifts project. To simplify this rather complex matter I created a BizGift Project Timeframe matrix:

• A – Normal Season / Regular Product

This is the best situation for you and your supplier. You pick up a ready in stock product from your local supplier’s catalog, supply him with proper artwork and depending on the quantity and the capacity of your supplier’s printing facilities you can have your branded merchandise between 7 – 14 days. There are many companies that these days offer shipping in 3-5 days. VIP services with only few hours to complete your order are also no longer rare (depends on where you live of course ).

• B – Peak Season / Regular Product

Here we are still talking about the products from your local supplier’s catalog. But … during the peak seasons it is more likely some items may be out of stock and depending where exactly the replenishment is it may take from few days to over a month to arrive. The other issue during peak seasons are the printing capacities. Even if the printers run for 24 hours you may still have to wait quite few days for your turn. It has to be said that the reputable and experienced suppliers are well stocked up for the peak seasons and have many contingency plans in hand, but if you do not want to end up disappointed, better order what you need before the peak season hits the fan . The production leadtimes may easily double or triple when compared to normal days and the available selection of products may be shrinking every day …

• C – Normal Season / Tailor Made Product

Not everybody is satisfied with a regular product. Some people may still like a product from a catalog, but would like to have at least its colours customized to match their products or brands. Others may want nothing from any local catalog and have their own idea. That may require either an extensive sourcing by the supplier (or by the client himself if he is capable and brave enough) or some serious design and development work, or both … You need time to source or time to develop, time to produce your approval samples, time to ship and receive them, time to comment on them, alter them, remake them, ship them again. You may approve the first sample you receive, but you may also keep commenting and remaking several times adding weeks and months to your timing. Once you are happy with sample, the production can start. If all goes well (and this can be BIG IF sometimes), your goods will be ready as planned and can ship. Ship across the globe usually … It is very difficult to give accurate number of days or weeks or months tailor made project may take, but here is an example or reasonably OK going project:

- Brief to your supplier, beginning of the process
- Initial offers from your supplier – 1-2 weeks
- Sample making – 1-8 weeks (depends on if you are customizing an existing product or developing brand new one)
- Sample shipping – 3-7 days (if mail or couriers work OK)
- Approval process – minutes to weeks (depends on customer )
- Production – usually 30 – 90 days (depends on products, quantity)
- Shipping – 4-7 weeks sea, 3-10 days by air (depends on from where to where)

• D – Peak Season / Tailor Made Product

In case of Tailor Made Products the Peak Season applies to the peak season at the point of manufacturing and shipping. The timing in general would be very similar to C scenario with an important exception of production and shipping. If you production for your project falls into the peak season and you unlucky to be a latecomer, you may face 1-3 months longer production times than normal. This may in many cases totally kill your project. To have products planned for Christmas marketing push shipped out of factory in January does not make too much sense …

The other danger during the peak seasons is shipping – shipping capacities. Shipping space is hard to come by and the higher bidder usually wins. So you may either face much higher logistical cost than you expected, or few days or even weeks in the queue for the next available vessel or flight.

When you are thinking about what product to make, think hard about how much time you have ! Tailor made products are great way to go but do require planning well in advance !

To explain what is a peak season in detail takes at least an entire post as it depends on many factors and varies from product to product. I will return to this topic very soon. Stay tuned !

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