In This Article

• A Typical Custom Stubby Holder Timeline
• When Does Production Actually Start?
• Why Do We Send an Artwork Proof Before Printing?
• Production Time and Delivery Time Are Not the Same Thing
• How Early Should I Order Before an Event?
• How Early Should I Order Stubby Holders for a Wedding?
• What About Corporate Events?
• Do Larger Orders Take Longer?
• Do Multiple Designs Affect the Timeline?
• What Can Delay a Custom Stubby Holder Order?
• How Can I Help My Order Move Faster?
• What Is Rush Production?
• Can I Get Custom Stubby Holders in One Week?
• What If My Event Is Less Than a Week Away?
• A Simple Rule for Planning Your Order
• The Bottom Line
• Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re ordering personalised stubby holders for a wedding, company event, birthday or promotion, one of the first questions is usually the same:

How long will they take?

For most Clinkies custom stubby holder orders, standard production takes approximately 3–5 business days after the final artwork proof has been approved.

The important part of that sentence is after artwork approval.

Production time is not the same as the total time between placing your order and receiving it at your door. Before printing begins, your artwork needs to be checked and approved. Once production is finished, the order still needs to be dispatched and delivered.

That means the full process usually looks like this:

Order → Artwork → Proof → Approval → Production → Dispatch → Delivery

If you have a fixed wedding, event or campaign date, it’s much better to work backwards from that date rather than simply counting three to five days from the day you place the order.

A Typical Custom Stubby Holder Timeline

Here’s a simple way to think about the process.

The biggest variable before production is usually artwork approval.

If everything is correct the first time and you approve the proof quickly, the order can move forward without unnecessary delays.

If the artwork needs several revisions, or the proof sits in an inbox for three days waiting for approval, the production start date naturally moves back.

When Does Production Actually Start?

Production begins after the final artwork has been approved.

That distinction matters because ordering on Monday does not automatically mean your order enters production on Monday.

For example, imagine you place an order on Monday and receive your artwork proof shortly afterwards.

If you check the names, dates, colours and artwork and approve it straight away, the order can move into the next stage much sooner.

If you don’t reply until Thursday, production has effectively been delayed by several days before printing has even started.

For time-sensitive orders, responding to the artwork proof quickly is one of the easiest ways to keep the whole job moving.

Why Do We Send an Artwork Proof Before Printing?

Because personalised products are difficult to “undo” once they have been printed.

A date that is one number wrong, an old company logo, a spelling mistake or an incorrect photograph can affect an entire order.

The artwork proof gives you a chance to see the design before production begins.

It is particularly useful for wedding orders, corporate branding and personalised photo designs, where small details matter.

Rather than sending artwork directly into production, the proof creates one final checkpoint.

It may add a step to the process, but it can prevent a much bigger problem later.

Production Time and Delivery Time Are Not the Same Thing

This is probably the most common source of confusion when customers are working towards an event date.

Production time is the time required to make your custom stubby holders.

Shipping time is the time required to move the finished order from us to you.

They are two separate parts of the timeline.

If production takes five business days, that does not necessarily mean the parcel will be at your address five business days after approval.

The finished order still needs to be packed, dispatched and transported.

Delivery time can vary depending on where you are in Australia, the shipping method used and factors outside the production process.

For that reason, if your event has a hard deadline, don’t plan around the production time alone.

Plan around the required delivery date.

How Early Should I Order Before an Event?

If you have plenty of time, there is no real benefit in leaving the order until the last week.

A little extra breathing room makes artwork changes, delivery and last-minute event changes much easier to manage.

As a general planning guide:

These are planning guidelines rather than guaranteed delivery windows.

The exact situation can depend on the product, quantity, destination, artwork and current production schedule.

If the date is close, the safest thing to do is tell us the event date before assuming the order will make it.

How Early Should I Order Stubby Holders for a Wedding?

For weddings, earlier is usually better.

Not because the printing itself necessarily takes weeks, but because weddings have a habit of changing.

Guest numbers move.

Names need checking.

Dates and wording get adjusted.

Couples change their minds about colours.

Someone sends a better photograph.

And there are usually a dozen other things competing for attention at the same time.

Ordering earlier gives you room to make those changes without turning the stubby holders into another last-minute problem.

If your wedding is several weeks away, you have time to review the artwork properly and make sure the finished design is exactly what you want.

If the wedding is close, let us know the date before placing the order so the production and shipping timeline can be considered together.

What About Corporate Events?

Corporate orders can sometimes need even more planning than personal orders.

The printing may be straightforward, but internal approvals are not always.

A marketing team may approve the design, only for someone else to request a different logo.

A purchasing manager may need to confirm quantity.

A sponsor may need to approve their branding.

An event team may suddenly change the venue or delivery location.

For a simple company BBQ, this may not be an issue.

For a trade show, product launch, festival or large promotional campaign, it is worth allowing additional time for internal decisions.

If you already know the event date, quantity and delivery postcode, provide those details early.

That makes it much easier to work out whether the timeline is comfortable before the artwork process begins.

Do Larger Orders Take Longer?

Not necessarily in a simple one-to-one way.

A 500-piece order does not automatically take ten times longer than a 50-piece order.

However, larger quantities should generally be planned earlier because production capacity, artwork complexity and scheduling can all become more important as the order size increases.

The difference is particularly noticeable when a large order contains several different designs.

Five hundred identical holders are one type of job.

Five hundred holders split across ten different designs are another.

The total quantity may be the same, but there is more artwork to check, more proofs to approve and more opportunity for something to need adjusting.

If you are ordering several hundred pieces for a business or major event, sending the quantity and required date before ordering is a sensible first step.

Do Multiple Designs Affect the Timeline?

They can.

If all 500 holders use one design, there is one main artwork proof to review.

If the same 500 holders are divided between ten team names, branches, sponsors or event designs, each variation needs to be prepared correctly.

That can mean more checking before production begins.

This does not mean multiple designs are a problem.

It simply means they should be accounted for when planning the deadline.

For businesses ordering different versions for departments, locations or sponsors, having all artwork files ready at the beginning can save a lot of back-and-forth later.

What Can Delay a Custom Stubby Holder Order?

The printing itself is only one part of the job.

In our experience, many avoidable delays happen before production starts.

Low-resolution logos are a common example.

A screenshot of a logo might look fine on a phone, but when it is enlarged for printing it may not be good enough.

Incorrect names and dates can also create extra revisions.

The same applies when the wrong version of a company logo is supplied or when several people need to approve the artwork before anyone can give a final answer.

Other delays can come from address problems, public holidays, freight disruptions or unexpected changes to the order.

You cannot control every part of the process.

But having the right artwork, wording, quantity and event date ready at the beginning makes things much easier.

How Can I Help My Order Move Faster?

The easiest way is to prepare the important information before placing the order.

Know approximately how many you need.

Have your logo, photograph or design ready.

Double-check the event date.

Make sure names and wording are correct.

Use the correct delivery address.

And if you have a fixed deadline, tell us.

Once the proof arrives, check everything properly but don’t leave it sitting for several days if the order is urgent.

Look at spelling.

Look at dates.

Check the logo.

Check the photograph.

Make sure the design is the version you actually want printed.

Then approve it.

A fast approval is far more useful than rushing through the check, spotting a mistake after production starts and trying to change it afterwards.

What Is Rush Production?

Rush production is designed for eligible orders that need to move through production faster than the normal schedule.

But it is important to separate rush production from express shipping.

They solve different problems.

Rush production reduces the time required to make the order.

Express shipping reduces the time required to transport the parcel after it has been dispatched.

If your event is only a few days away, speeding up production but choosing a slow freight service may not solve the problem.

Likewise, paying for faster shipping does not help if the artwork has not yet been approved.

For genuinely urgent orders, the entire timeline needs to be considered:

Artwork → Approval → Production → Dispatch → Freight

That is why we recommend checking urgent dates before ordering rather than simply assuming “express” means the whole order will arrive immediately.

Can I Get Custom Stubby Holders in One Week?

Sometimes an urgent order may be possible, but a one-week deadline should never be treated as automatic.

The answer depends on the product, quantity, artwork, production capacity, delivery location and whether suitable rush options are available.

If you need the order in approximately one week, contact us first with:

your quantity, delivery postcode and required date.

That gives us much more useful information than simply asking whether we offer fast production.

A deadline in Melbourne and a deadline in a remote location are not necessarily the same shipping situation.

What If My Event Is Less Than a Week Away?

Contact us before placing the order.

At that point, every day matters.

We need to know what you want, how many you need, where the order is going and the exact date it must arrive.

If it can be done, we can discuss the available options.

If the timing is too tight, it is better to know before ordering than after.

We would rather be realistic about a deadline than promise something based on an ideal timeline and leave you worrying about whether the parcel will arrive.

A Simple Rule for Planning Your Order

If your event is more than four weeks away, you have a comfortable amount of planning time.

If it is around two weeks away, start paying close attention to proof approval and delivery.

If it is around one week away, check with us first.

And if you are ordering for a large corporate event, wedding or campaign, there is very little downside to getting the artwork organised early.

Production may only take a few business days.

But having extra time means the entire process feels much less rushed.

The Bottom Line

For most Clinkies custom stubby holder orders, standard production takes approximately 3–5 business days after the final artwork proof has been approved.

But production is only one part of the timeline.

Before production, the artwork needs to be prepared and approved.

After production, the order still needs to be dispatched and delivered.

So if you have an event date, don’t simply ask:

“How long does printing take?”

The better question is:

“When do I need the finished order in my hands?”

Work backwards from there.

If you have plenty of time, place the order early and enjoy the breathing room.

If the deadline is close, send us your quantity, postcode and required date before ordering so we can look at the whole timeline rather than one part of it.

Have a Fixed Event Date?

Tell us your quantity, delivery postcode and required date, and we can help you work backwards from the deadline.

Check My Event Date →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make personalised stubby holders?

Most Clinkies custom stubby holder orders take approximately 3–5 business days to produce after the final artwork proof has been approved. Shipping time is additional.

Does production start as soon as I place my order?

Not necessarily. Personalised orders need to go through the artwork and proof process first. Production begins after the final artwork has been approved.

Is production time the same as delivery time?

No. Production is the time required to make the order. Delivery happens afterwards and depends on the shipping destination and service.

Does artwork approval affect the delivery date?

Yes. Production cannot begin until the final artwork has been approved, so delayed approval can move the entire order timeline back.

Can I get personalised stubby holders in one week?

It may be possible for some eligible orders, but one-week deadlines should be confirmed before ordering. Product type, quantity, artwork, production capacity and destination can all affect the timeline.

Do large orders take longer?

Not always, but larger orders should generally be planned earlier. Quantity, production scheduling and the number of different designs can all affect the process.

Do multiple designs take longer?

They can. Multiple designs usually require additional artwork preparation and proof checking before production begins.

What is the difference between rush production and express shipping?

Rush production speeds up the manufacturing stage. Express shipping speeds up transport after the order has been dispatched. They are separate parts of the timeline.

When should I order stubby holders for a wedding?

Ordering several weeks before the wedding gives you more room for artwork changes, proof approval and delivery. If the wedding is close, confirm the required date before placing the order.

When should I order for a corporate event?

For larger corporate events, trade shows and campaigns, ordering early is recommended because internal artwork approvals, multiple designs and delivery arrangements can add time before production even begins.