Same-day printing promises are everywhere, but what is actually possible in 4 to 6 hours? At our Putney Heath shop we run same-day jobs most working days. Here is the honest breakdown of what can and cannot happen inside 4 hours.
What fits in 4 hours
T-shirts (up to 15 units)
With a print-ready design, DTG on cotton blanks we have in stock: 15 units is comfortable. Drop off by 11am, collect by 3pm.
Vinyl names and numbers on up to 20 units: similar timescale.
Business cards (up to 250 standard)
Standard 350gsm silk, single-sided or double-sided, ready-to-print artwork: 4-hour turnaround is realistic. Premium finishes (soft-touch, spot UV) are not available same day.
A5 flyers (up to 500 units)
170gsm or 300gsm silk, double-sided CMYK. Same-day workable if in by 11am.
A4 and A3 posters (up to 50 units)
Digital print on 170 to 250gsm silk. Quick.
Foamex signboards (up to 4 pieces, max A2 size)
If design is ready and material in stock. Larger formats and dibond usually go into 2 to 3 day production.
Document printing and photocopying
Almost always same-day. Usually within 30 minutes while you wait.
Simple thesis binding
Thermal bind (glued spine) with simple card cover: 1 to 2 hours. Hardback requires 5 to 7 days.
What does NOT fit in 4 hours
- Embroidery: new logos need digitising (1 to 2 days)
- DTF orders over 25 units: production slot may not be available
- Screen printing: setup alone takes half a day
- Custom-shaped dies or cuts: specialist cutting time needed
- Complex hardback binding with foil: 3 to 5 working days
- Banner over 3 metres wide: machine time constraint
How to get same-day done right
1. Call first
Before making the trip, call 020 3669 9854. We will tell you honestly whether the job is achievable today. A 2-minute call saves wasted effort.
2. Bring print-ready files
Artwork that needs redrawing, colour correction, or rescaling is not same-day. Make sure your file meets the spec:
- Vector or 300dpi raster
- CMYK colour mode
- Transparent background for prints on coloured fabric
- Fonts outlined
- 3mm bleed for cards and flyers
More on this in our artwork preparation guide.
3. Arrive before 11am
Same-day cutoff is effectively 11am. Orders arriving at midday can still make it, but larger jobs become tight.
4. Keep the job simple
Single colour designs on a single blank, single location print, no custom finishes: easy same-day.
Multiple colours, multiple placements, mixed garments, premium finishes: push to next-day.
5. Accept what is in stock
If we have navy Gildan Heavy Cotton in your sizes today, that is your garment. Specialty blanks that need ordering in cannot be same-day.
Our stock levels
We keep reasonable stock of:
- Gildan Heavy Cotton T-shirts (white, black, navy, grey, red, royal blue), sizes S to XXL
- AWDis Just Hoods hoodies (black, navy, grey), sizes M to XL
- Fruit of the Loom polos (white, black, navy), sizes M to XL
- Standard 350gsm silk card stock
- Standard 170gsm and 300gsm silk flyer stock
- White and 3mm foamex in common sizes
Niche colours and premium blanks (Stanley/Stella, Anthem) usually need a day to order in.
Realistic same-day pricing
Same-day jobs do not carry a rush fee. You pay standard pricing.
Typical same-day totals:
- 10 plain T-shirts with a logo: £80 to £120
- 200 business cards (standard): £25 to £30
- 250 A5 flyers (standard): £30 to £40
- A3 poster x 20: £55 to £70
- 1 foamex A2 sign: £25 to £35
Not Putney? Drop in anyway
We are at Shop 395 Tildesley Road, Putney Heath, London SW15 3BD. A few minutes from Putney Heath bus stops. If you are outside Putney, email or call first; most same-day jobs can be done by email if the files are ready.
See our contact page for directions and opening hours.
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