Articles

Real-World Turnaround Times: How We Plan Your Postcards, Books, Mailings, and More

Need 2,500 postcards in hand by Friday or a 28-page booklet for next week’s event? I’m Michael Duhr, and at Foote Printing we set clear, realistic timelines so your project lands exactly when you need it.

Many teams struggle to predict how long different print jobs take. The result is last-minute stress, missed mail dates, and blown budgets. We fix that with transparent schedules, proven workflows, and detailed planning that starts the moment you request a quote.

How Long Will My Print Project Take?

Below are typical timelines once your artwork is approved. Volume, page count, finishing, and our production schedule can affect timing, but these ranges are what most customers experience.

Postcards up to 2,500

Print and finish: 1 to 3 days
If mailing is included: add at least 2 production days before drop-off at the post office
USPS delivery timing varies by class and destination

Small-Run Saddle Stitch Books

Up to about 500 books and around 28 pages
2 to 4 days

Larger-Quantity Saddle Stitch Books

Over 2,500 copies
About 1 to 2 weeks

Perfect Bound Books

1 to 2 weeks
Binding adds steps, which extends the schedule

Hardbound Books

2 to 4 weeks, often closer to 3 to 4 weeks
The bindery process is more complex and requires more lead time

Die Cuts and Specialty Finishing

Pocket folders, custom shapes, circular stickers, special covers
Usually 1 to 2 weeks, depending on tooling and finishing

What Most Often Affects Your Timeline

Artwork approval: We cannot start until your art is final. Fast approvals unlock fast turnarounds.
Quantity and page count: More pages and higher volumes add time.
Binding type: Saddle stitch is quickest. Perfect binding and hardbound require longer.
Mailing: Printing plus addressing and preparation adds at least 2 days before USPS entry. Postal delivery is outside of our control.
Production load: We schedule jobs to hit your date. The earlier we know your goal, the better we can prioritize.

How We Plan Backward From Your In-Home Date

Campaign managers and marketers often call us with a target mailbox date. We map the entire schedule backward so you know exactly when each milestone must be hit.

Target in-home date: You choose the day you want materials to arrive.
USPS entry date: We determine the best mail class and when we must deliver to the post office.
Print completion: We set the latest finish date for production and addressing.
Artwork approval deadline: You get a clear date for final art so we can stay on schedule.

Tell us your must-hit date when you request a quote. We will give you a precise plan for art approval, production, and mailing.

Quick Planning Guide

Postcards up to 2,500: 1 to 3 days to print, plus 2 days if mailing
Small-run saddle stitch books: 2 to 4 days
Large-quantity saddle stitch: 1 to 2 weeks
Perfect bound books: 1 to 2 weeks
Hardbound books: 2 to 4 weeks
Die cut or specialty finishing: 1 to 2 weeks
Very large postcard campaigns with mailing: allow at least 2 weeks to reach the post office, then add USPS time

Why Teams Choose Foote Printing

We print almost anything and everything, and we back it up with smart planning. Our team runs multiple presses and finishing lines to handle diverse projects, from pocket folders to perfect bound books. We are a trusted Cleveland print partner because we do more than press the start button. We guide your timeline, coordinate mailing, and keep you informed at every step. We are always sprinting to do your printing.

Let’s Lock In Your Date

Have a deadline in mind? Contact Foote Printing for a quick quote and a custom schedule. Share your target in-home or event date, and we will walk it back, confirm your artwork deadline, and deliver on time. Schedule a consultation today, and let’s get your postcards, books, or mailers moving.

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Posted By Foote Printing
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You can design a stunning postcard, but one tiny white sliver along the edge will make it look cheap in an instant. We see it all the time, and it is completely avoidable. At Foote Printing, the most common error that slows jobs down or triggers reprints is simple, no bleed. When files arrive without bleeds, trimming tolerances can reveal thin white edges or force us to under trim, which pushes type uncomfortably close to the cut. I am Michael Duhr, and my team and I want to help you avoid those headaches with a few practical, print-ready habits. Bleeds and Safe Zones, The Foundation of Print-Ready Files If your design prints to the edge, extend background colors, images, and elements past the trim. Add at least 0.125 inch bleed on all sides Keep critical content, logos, and type at least 0.25 inch inside the trim, the safe zone A proper bleed lets us trim cleanly even with slight mechanical variance. A proper safe zone keeps your message from crowding the edge if we must under trim to avoid a white sliver. You can give more bleed if you prefer, even 0.25 inch or more, especially useful for complex layouts. Send the Right File Format and Resolution For commercial printing, PDF is your best friend. Export a print-ready PDF with bleeds turned on Include crop marks if your workflow supports them Avoid sending JPG or PNG as your only file, those often come in at 72 dpi and oversized, which prints poorly If you have to use raster art, ensure it is 300 dpi at final s