How Long a Made-to-Order Print Actually Takes

Made-to-order means the clock starts when you order, not before. Here is how production, printing and shipping stack up, and where the delays really happen.

Auvrique Editorial · Fine Art Editions

The short answer

A made-to-order print typically arrives within 7 to 14 business days of ordering. Production takes roughly 2 to 5 business days, then shipping adds 3 to 7 more depending on destination. Framed pieces and canvas prints sit at the longer end because mounting and framing happen after printing.

The production window explained

Made-to-order prints are not pulled from a shelf. The file is prepared, printed, then dried or cured before it can be mounted or framed. That sequence takes about 2 to 5 business days for most sizes. A framed poster usually finishes faster than a stretched canvas, which needs time to be mounted and allowed to settle before packing.

The honest caveat is that production estimates assume no backlog. During high-volume periods, add a few days. Anyone comparing options should also weigh format against timeline, since the choice between paper and canvas affects both cost and wait, as covered in the guide to canvas versus framed prints choosing canvas or framed prints.

Shipping and what adds days

Once a print leaves production, transit takes 3 to 7 business days for most domestic addresses and longer internationally. Distance matters less than handling. A framed piece travels in more protective packaging and moves slower through carriers than a rolled or flat-packed poster. Large canvases are the slowest of all.

Total door-to-door, plan on 7 to 14 business days as a realistic range, with two weeks as the safe planning number. The same logic applies across the catalogue, whether the order is a framed poster framed poster editions or a canvas canvas print editions. Exact carrier estimates are published in the shipping policy Auvrique Shipping Policy.

The list below breaks the timeline into its parts.

Production, printing and curing, roughly 2 to 5 business days

Framing or canvas mounting, adding 1 to 3 days where applicable

Domestic transit, typically 3 to 7 business days

International transit, often 7 to 14 business days or more

When the wait runs longer

Delays almost always come from three places. Peak seasonal volume slows production. Carrier backlogs add transit days that no print shop controls. And address errors or failed delivery attempts can add a week on their own. None of these are visible at checkout, which is why the anxious buyer should plan against the upper end of any range, not the lower.

It is also worth knowing what the wait buys. A print pulled on demand is checked against the file before it ships, which stock-and-ship operations cannot always promise. If a piece is needed for a specific date, order with buffer time and confirm the estimated delivery window before paying. Questions about a specific order are best sent to support contact the support team before the order is placed.

The delay is not the printing. It is everything that happens after the ink dries.

Stage	Typical duration	Notes
Production	2 to 5 business days	Printing, drying, quality check
Framing or mounting	1 to 3 business days	Framed pieces and canvases only
Domestic shipping	3 to 7 business days	Varies by carrier and distance
Total	7 to 14 business days	Plan against the upper end

Typical timeline for a made-to-order print

Key takeaways

Most made-to-order prints arrive within 7 to 14 business days of ordering.
Production takes 2 to 5 business days before anything ships.
Framed pieces and canvases take longer than unframed posters.
Ordering with a two-week buffer removes most of the risk.

Related questions

Does a framed print take longer than an unframed one?

Yes, usually by a few days. Framing happens after printing, so the frame adds a production step plus heavier protective packaging in transit. An unframed poster can ship as soon as the ink has cured, which makes it the faster option when timing matters more than presentation.

Why do made-to-order prints take longer than regular online orders?

Nothing is sitting in a warehouse waiting for you. The piece is printed only after the order comes in, then inspected, framed or mounted, and packed. That removes storage costs and waste, but it trades convenience for a production window of several business days.

Can I get a print faster if I pay for expedited shipping?

Expedited shipping shortens transit only. It does nothing for the 2 to 5 day production stage, which is where most of the wait sits. If speed is critical, order early and choose a format that skips framing, then upgrade the shipping method if the delivery date is still tight.

From the Auvrique collection

Made to order · Every size