It’s Monday morning, and your event is next week. You need branded products fast. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
At Steel City Marketing, we get this question all the time: “Have we got enough time to do order these?”
The truth is, most orders can be completed in time, you just need to consider all your options.
In our video above, Managing Director James Biggin shares how we help clients hit their deadlines without the stress, and relying on our extensive experience of what impacts lead times.
The Typical UK Lead Time
Most branded merchandise in the UK takes around 10–12 working days from when you approve your artwork for production – not from when you first place your enquiry.
That time covers:
- Order processing: Planning your order into the production schedule.
- Artwork: Your approved design is set up in the production software, ready for branding to begin.
- Branding: Applying your logo to each item (e.g. digital/screen printing or engraving).
- Quality Checks: Ensuring the branding matches your artwork, colours and logo placement perfectly.
- Packing: Carefully packaging items, ready for delivery.
Quick tip: Approving your proof as soon as it arrives is one of the easiest ways to save time.
Need help preparing artwork? Read our guide to Artwork Formats Required For Branded Merchandise.
Short on Time?
Urgent deadline? Don’t panic, there’s nearly always a solution.
Our team works directly with UK factories every day, meaning we can often source UK-made or stocked items that are ready to turn around in as little as 3-5 working days, and in some cases 1 working day.
Here’s what helps:
✅ Single-colour or digital printed items (this means there are no complex branding setups).
✅ Pre-approved artwork in the correct format (EPS/PDF format with Pantone references if required).
✅ Flexibility on product choice or colour. For example, if your logo is orange, you might choose to print it on a neutral item that’s already in stock.
We’ve even had orders where proofs were approved by 9am and despatched the same afternoon – not that that’s our preferred method! But it shows how, with good communication, we can often make the impossible happen.
Advantages of Planning Ahead
If your project is larger, bespoke or imported from the Far East, planning is key. These types of items can take 3–5 weeks, depending on quantity and finish. If you have the time and would like to save on price, sea freight items can take around 12 weeks.
That sounds like a long time, but it opens up a larger library of products and can create cost efficiencies.
We’ll guide you through:
- Shipping timelines (sea vs. air freight).
- Realistic delivery schedules.
- Split shipments for key event dates (e.g. send the quantity you need for an event, then follow up stock afterwards).
Our goal is always the same; making sure your branded products arrive as requested, when you need them.
Quick Reference Guide
| Product type | Typical UK lead time | Fastest possible | Best for | Sustainability notes | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK-made notebooks | 5 – 15 working days | 5 working days | Office gifts, onboarding | Recycled, Sustainable materials and UK-made options available | Approve proofs fast for quicker turnaround |
| Branded bottles | 5 – 14 working days | 3 working days | Everyday use, team events, client gifts | Recycled materials, UK-made/European options | Confirm print area and Pantone matches early |
| Custom pens | 5 – 15 working days | 1 – 3 working days | Budget-friendly giveaways | Recycled plastic or bamboo | Simple artwork without fine lines speeds up production |
| Far East tote bags | 8 – 10 weeks | 3 – 4 weeks (air freight) | Bespoke or bulk campaigns | Recycled cotton, RPET, organic options | Ideal for larger quantities and full-colour branding |
| Sustainable products (seeded, cork, bamboo) | 7 – 15 working days | 7 – 10 working days | Sustainable campaigns | UK-grown or recycled materials | Stock varies seasonally – plan ahead if you can |
Time-Saving Tips
- Plan backwards from your event date.
- Choose items that can be delivered quickly. (Use the ‘Express Delivery’ filter on our product category pages).
- Prioritise stocked items or UK-made gifts when time is short.
- Simplify branding for faster turnaround (e.g. use a one colour logo rather than a multi-coloured one).
- Sign off proofs quickly.
- Keep delivery details clear and send to us early.
Extra Tip: Build in a few extra days for courier delays or sign-off stages – it’s worth it for peace of mind.
FAQs
What’s the average UK lead time for branded products?
The average UK lead time for branded products is around 10 – 12 working days from proof approval.
Can I get products faster?
Yes you can get your promo products faster – express options can turn around in as little as 1–5 working days for certain items. Make sure you filter by express delivery when searching product category pages on our website.
Why does artwork approval matter?
Artwork approval is important, as production can’t start until it’s signed off as correct. Fast approval means you will get faster delivery.
Can we make this sustainable?
Yes we can make your merchandise sustainable. We offer a huge and growing range of eco-friendly items, including recycled, organic, Fairtrade and biodegradable products, as well as sustainable materials like Hemp and Bamboo, and UK-made gifts.
If sustainability is your priority, explore our eco-friendly merchandise range.
Ready to plan your next campaign?
Whether you’ve got two weeks or two days, we’ll help you find the right product, branding method and lead time to make it happen.
We hope you are enjoying our Branded Products Minute Series. If you missed last week’s video, catch up with our How to Choose Branded Products guide. You can also revisit: 6 Office-Friendly Ideas That Get Used Every Day
Like help with ideas? Contact us with your event date and budget – we’ll recommend what will suit your needs!
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