The four stages of a print order
Turnaround is more than press time, and knowing the stages tells you where the days go. 1. File check: a pro reviews your artwork for bleed, resolution, fonts and color issues. This is free on every order. 2. Proof: you get a free digital proof by email, usually within 1 business day, and nothing is charged until you approve it. 3. Production: the clock starts at approval, and standard production is 2–4 business days, including printing, cutting, coating or drilling. 4. Shipping: shipping is included in the price and goes anywhere in the US with tracking, and transit time depends on the distance. The stage people underestimate is the proof: an order can't go to press until someone says yes, so a proof that sits in an inbox for three days adds three days to everything.
Typical timeline at a glance
| Stage | Standard | Fastest option |
|---|---|---|
| File check + digital proof | Usually within 1 business day | Same — reply to the proof quickly |
| Production after approval | 2–4 business days | Next-day press, +$19 (or 2-day press, +$9) |
| Shipping | Included; time depends on distance | 2-day air shipping, +$59 |
| Design work (if needed) | First proof within 2 business days | Send a clear brief and finished text up front |
Rush options and what they cost
Rush is priced as a flat add-on, not a percentage of your order, so it costs the same whether you're printing 100 cards or 1,000 flyers. 2-day press (+$9) moves your job to the front of standard production and fits most “I need it next week” situations. Next-day press (+$19) is for when the event is days away. 2-day air shipping (+$59) cuts transit time once the job is printed and is the right call when you're far from the production facility or the deadline is truly tight. The options can be combined. Rush speeds up production and shipping but not your approval, so the fastest orders are the ones where the customer answers the proof the same day it arrives.
How to avoid needing rush
Most rush fees are really planning fees, and a few habits make them rare. Work backward from the date you need it in hand, then add a week of cushion. Keep designs evergreen: skip specific dates on banners, cards and menus so one run lasts and a reprint is never urgent. Reorder before you run out: when the box of business cards is a quarter full, reorder. Have files ready: a vector logo, final text and correct sizes save a round of revisions. For events and openings, order the slowest items first; mailers and apparel need more lead time than cards. Our Quantity Advisor helps you order enough to avoid an emergency reprint.
What adds time to an order
A few things reliably stretch a timeline, and most happen before production. Missing or low-resolution files: a logo that needs a vector redraw or a photo that needs replacing adds a design round. Multiple revision rounds: each set of changes means a new proof and another approval. Large or specialty jobs: custom-quote items, big quantities and finishing like drilling and stringing need more planning, so ask about timing when you request the quote. Mail campaigns: EDDM adds mailing prep and USPS delivery after printing, so plan mailers further ahead than handouts. Weekends and holidays: production and proof times count business days, so an order approved Friday afternoon starts moving Monday.
Speed up your proof
The proof is the one stage you control completely. Open it on a large screen, not just your phone, and check the details that cause reprints: phone number, web address, spelling of names, prices, dates and the street address. Confirm the size and quantity match what you ordered. If something needs a change, list every fix in one reply instead of sending corrections one at a time, since each round adds a day. If the proof looks right, approve it right away; production starts the moment you do. Every order still has the free pro file check behind it, and if we get it wrong, we reprint it.
All-in pricing. Free proof. No checkout surprises.
Need it fast? Next-day press is just +$19 — free proof first, shipping included.
Need it fast? Next-day press is just +$19 — free proof first, shipping included. ⚡ Or build a full kitFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to print business cards or flyers?
Standard production is 2–4 business days after you approve your free digital proof, plus shipping time. With next-day press (+$19) and 2-day air shipping (+$59), orders can arrive much faster.
How much does rush printing cost?
Rush options at i Can Print That are flat add-ons: 2-day press is +$9, next-day press is +$19, and 2-day air shipping is +$59. They cost the same regardless of order size.
When does the production clock start on a print order?
Production starts when you approve your digital proof, not when you place the order. Answering the proof quickly is the easiest way to get printing sooner.
How long does it take to get a print proof?
The free digital proof usually arrives by email within 1 business day. If you've ordered design work, the first design proof arrives within 2 business days.
Is shipping included in the turnaround time?
No, production time and shipping time are separate. Shipping is included in the price and goes anywhere in the US with tracking, and transit time depends on distance. Add 2-day air shipping for +$59 when the deadline is tight.