If you need to order labels AND receive them before Christmas then NOW is the time to order!
Over the years, we’ve found that people tend to underestimate just how early they should order their Christmas labels because they don’t realise how many steps are involved, while a lucky few find themselves in need of a last minute re-order because their products or services are in such high demand that their initial order of labels simply wasn’t enough!
Most of the labels we sell at this time of year will be used as Christmas product labels or for Christmas events, which means that you have to leave enough time for ALL of the following steps to be completed:
- You order your labels
- We (make and) despatch your labels to you
- Your labels are delivered to you
- You (design a template and) print your labels
- You apply your labels
- You despatch your labels to wherever they need to be by Christmas (or by your Christmas-based event) – whether that’s at the location of your Christmas event or to the delivery address of a customer.
You need to remember that, at this time of year, manufacturing times and delivery times get longer and longer (even for delivery services that are SUPPOSED to be guaranteed) AND that designing a template and printing your labels can turn into quite a lengthy process AND that applying your labels (neatly) can take a lot longer than you think.
While we will always do our best to make sure that all of our customers receive the labels that they need in plenty of time for their Christmas deadlines, you MUST make sure that you have left enough time to get everything done. Our current despatch and delivery estimates for orders that you need to receive BEFORE Christmas are as follows:
NON-STOCKED/MADE TO ORDER ITEMS (500+ SHEETS):
At this time of year, production estimates are longer than usual with most made to order items being placed on a waiting list for manufacture. Our current lead times are 5 working days for manufacture/despatch via next working day carrier BUT we would warn customers that this lead time will eventually expand into 2017, which means that we would highly recommend that you get in touch with us BEFORE placing an order so we can confirm the despatch/delivery estimate for the exact items and quantities that you would like to order.
LARGE ORDERS OF STOCKED ITEMS (500+ SHEETS):
Where items are in stock they will be despatched on the same working day via next working day carrier (Mon-Fri, up to 3pm). If the items you wish to order are temporarily out of stock, they will need to be made, which could take several working days. Again, if you need to order a large number of boxes or wish to confirm that the labels you want are available, the best thing to do is to contact us to get an exact despatch/delivery estimate.
Last Posting Date For Christmas Delivery: Friday 23rd December (subject to stock availability)
MEDIUM ORDERS OF STOCKED ITEMS (250-475 SHEETS)
These orders will be despatched same day via next working day carrier (Mon-Fri, up to 3pm).
Last Posting Date For Christmas Delivery: Friday 23rd December
SMALL ORDERS OF STOCKED ITEMS (LESS THAN 250 SHEETS)
These orders are despatched same working day (Mon-Fri, up to 4:30pm) via Royal Mail’s first class service as standard. Usually, around 93% of first class mail arrives the next day BUT at this time of year the service does suffer delays and we would strongly recommend upgrading your order to Royal Mail’s guaranteed next (working) day delivery option (available online or by phone) – please note that this service does require a signature upon delivery.
Last Posting Date For Christmas Delivery: Wednesday 21st December (first class) or Thursday 22nd December (guaranteed next day)
ORDERS TO NORTHERN IRELAND & REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Delivery to these locations can take longer at this time of year so we strongly recommend ordering as soon as you can:
NORTHERN IRELAND:
Small Orders: sent via Royal Mail’s first class service; we strongly recommend ordering early and upgrading to the Royal Mail’s guaranteed next (working) day delivery service – bearing in mind that even this service may be delayed at this time of year. You should order by 4:30pm on Wednesday 21st December (first class) or Thursday 22nd December (guaranteed next day) to receive your labels before Christmas.
Medium/Large Orders: sent via a 2-3 working day carrier service (large orders: subject to stock availability); our last despatch day will be Wednesday 21st December (by 3pm) for delivery before Christmas.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:
Small Orders: sent via Royal Mail’s International standard service; the last recommended posting date for this service is Friday 16th December (order by 4:30pm) but we would strongly advise that you order sooner as the service is likely to experience delays.
Medium/Large Orders: sent via a 2-3 working day carrier service (large orders: subject to stock availability); our last despatch day will be Wednesday 21st December (by 3pm) for delivery before Christmas.
Please note that deliveries to Islands With UK Postcodes & “Extended” Postcode regions are also sent via 2-3 working day carrier service and so share the last despatch date of Wednesday 21st December.
If you have any questions or queries, doubts or deliberations about ordering labels in time for Christmas we strongly recommend contacting our Customer Service Team who will be able to give you the most up to date stock levels, despatch and delivery estimates, and delivery options available for the specific items you want to order.