Fast Turnaround Gift Card & Key Tag Printing
Production times for gift cards and key tags vary based on order complexity and compatibility verification requirements. Most orders are completed and shipped within a few business days after proof approval.
Fast turnaround is important, but it must be balanced against accuracy. Rushing an order without proper verification increases the risk of producing cards that fail at checkout.
Typical Production Timeline
The complete process from quote request to delivery typically takes between 5 and 10 business days. This timeline includes all steps necessary to ensure cards work correctly with your POS system.
Timeline Breakdown
Quote Request and Initial Response
Quote requests are typically reviewed within minutes during business hours. You will receive either a quote or follow-up questions to clarify requirements.
Timeline: Same day (often within 1 hour during business hours)
POS Compatibility Review
A specialist reviews your POS system requirements and verifies the correct card format. For common systems with straightforward setups, this happens quickly. Complex configurations may require additional clarification.
Timeline: 1-2 business days (often faster for common POS systems)
Proof Preparation and Approval
A proof is prepared showing card layout and design. You review and approve the proof before production begins. If revisions are needed, updated proofs are typically provided within one business day.
Timeline: 1-2 business days (depends on how quickly you approve the proof)
Printing and Quality Control
After proof approval, cards move into production. This includes printing, barcode or magnetic stripe application, numbering, finishing, and quality control checks. Order size affects production time.
Timeline: 2-5 business days (depends on order size and complexity)
Packaging and Shipping
Completed orders are packaged securely and shipped. Shipping time depends on your location and selected carrier service. Tracking information is provided when your order ships.
Timeline: 1-5 business days (depends on shipping method and destination)
Total Timeline
Most orders are completed and delivered within 7-10 business days from initial quote request to arrival. Rush production may be available depending on order complexity and current production schedule.
Factors That Affect Production Time
Several factors influence how quickly an order can be completed. Understanding these factors helps set realistic expectations and can help expedite the process when timing is critical.
Order Complexity
Simple orders with standard specifications and common POS systems can be verified and produced more quickly than complex orders with special requirements or less common configurations.
Faster: Standard barcode gift cards for Square or Clover with straightforward numbering
Slower: Custom magnetic stripe encoding for proprietary systems or orders with multiple card types requiring separate verification
Order Quantity
Larger orders require more production time than smaller batches. However, the difference is not proportional to order size because setup and verification remain the same regardless of quantity.
Faster: Orders of 500-1,000 cards can often be completed in standard production time
Slower: Large orders of 10,000+ cards may require additional production days
Proof Approval Speed
Production cannot begin until you approve the proof. The faster you review and approve the proof, the faster production can start. Delayed approval extends total delivery time.
Faster: Same-day proof approval allows immediate production scheduling
Slower: Each day of proof review delay extends final delivery by the same amount
Information Completeness
Orders with complete information and clear requirements can be processed faster than orders requiring multiple rounds of clarification. Providing accurate details upfront speeds verification.
Faster: Quote requests that include POS system details, quantity, and artwork
Slower: Vague requests requiring multiple follow-up questions to clarify requirements
Current Production Schedule
Production capacity varies based on current order volume. During busy periods, production times may extend slightly. During slower periods, orders may move through production faster than typical estimates.
When you receive your quote, you will be provided with an estimated production timeline based on current capacity.
Rush Production Availability
Rush production may be available for orders that need to be completed faster than standard timelines. However, rushed orders must still go through compatibility verification and quality control to ensure cards work correctly.
Important Considerations for Rush Orders
Rush Service Depends on Order Specifics
Not all orders can be rushed. Simple orders with common specifications and POS systems are more likely to qualify for expedited production than complex orders requiring extensive verification or special processes.
When requesting a quote, mention if you need expedited production. We will let you know if rush service is feasible for your specific order and what the timeline would be.
Verification Cannot Be Skipped
Even with rush production, compatibility must be verified before printing begins. Skipping verification to save a few days creates significant risk of producing cards that fail at checkout.
If cards do not work when they arrive, the time saved on production is lost many times over dealing with the failure and waiting for reprints. Verification protects against this outcome.
Rush Fees May Apply
Expedited production prioritizes your order in the production schedule, which may affect other scheduled work. Rush service typically includes additional fees to cover this priority handling.
Rush fees and expedited timelines are provided during the quote process when you indicate time sensitivity.
Shipping Time Still Applies
Rush production speeds manufacturing but does not eliminate shipping time. If you need cards by a specific date, account for both production time and shipping transit.
Expedited shipping options are available to reduce transit time when needed. These options are discussed during the quote process.
Why Verification Time Matters
Some businesses view compatibility verification as unnecessary delay. In reality, verification prevents delays that are far more costly and disruptive.
Verification Takes Hours, Reprinting Takes Weeks
Compatibility verification typically adds 1-2 business days to an order timeline. When cards fail due to formatting errors, the reprint process takes at minimum 7-10 business days, plus additional time for troubleshooting and specification correction.
The brief upfront verification prevents much longer delays caused by unusable cards. This is why verification is included in the standard process rather than treated as optional.
Operational Disruption Costs More Than Time
When gift cards fail at checkout or key tags do not scan at member check-in, the impact goes beyond the delay. Staff must handle customer frustration, find workarounds, and deal with the operational disruption of non-functional cards.
Verification helps ensure cards work correctly the first time, preventing these disruptions entirely. A few extra days of production time is insignificant compared to the cost of cards that fail when customers try to use them.
Planning Ahead Eliminates Time Pressure
Most timing issues are resolved by ordering cards before they are urgently needed. If you know you will need gift cards for a promotional period or key tags for new gym members, ordering several weeks in advance eliminates pressure.
This approach allows standard production timelines while ensuring cards arrive before they are needed, with time to test functionality if desired.
Tracking and Delivery Updates
Throughout the production process, you receive updates on order status. When your order ships, tracking information is provided immediately so you can monitor delivery progress.
You Are Updated At Key Milestones
Proof Ready for Review
You are notified when your proof is ready and provided with instructions for approval or requesting revisions.
Production Started
After proof approval, you receive confirmation that your order has moved into production.
Order Shipped
When your order ships, you receive tracking information for your carrier. This allows you to monitor delivery progress and plan for arrival.
Delivery Confirmation
Shipping carriers provide delivery confirmation when your package is delivered. You can verify receipt through tracking information.
If you have questions about order status at any point, you can reach out directly. We provide clear answers about where your order is in the process and when you can expect delivery.
Response times for status inquiries are typically within an hour during business hours.
Balancing Speed and Accuracy
Fast production is valuable when it delivers working cards quickly. Fast production that skips verification and delivers non-functional cards creates more delays than it prevents.
Our process prioritizes both speed and accuracy. Verification happens quickly but thoroughly. Production moves efficiently without cutting corners on quality control. The result is cards that arrive promptly and work correctly when you use them.
Most orders are completed within 7-10 business days total. This timeline includes all steps necessary to ensure compatibility, quality, and functionality. For businesses that plan ahead, this provides reliable delivery without sacrificing the verification that prevents problems.
If you need gift cards or key tags on a specific timeline, let us know during the quote process. We will provide a realistic estimate and let you know if rush production is available.
Get Your Project Started
Request a quote to receive timeline estimates specific to your order requirements.
Response in minutes. No obligation.