How Early Should You Order New Year Corporate Gifts in Pakistan? The Honest Timeline

We receive calls every December from companies that have left it too long. They need 300 hampers, foil-stamped with boxes and flasks engraved. The call is on December 5.Sometimes we can. We can help sometimes. The results will never be as good as if we had been called by the same company in October. Packaging options are limited. Branded items that require engraving are already waiting in line. Rush charges can add up. In the rush to get things done, you may make quality compromises that wouldn’t have been necessary if there was more time.This is an honest timeline. This guide will tell you how long each stage of production takes. It will also tell you when to begin and what your options are if you delay.

The production stages — and how long each one takes

Stage 1: Brief and options (1 week)

We contact you, listen to your needs, and then provide curated options that fit your budget and level structure. This takes between 2 and 3 working days for a simple brief with clearly defined requirements. Allow a week for complex orders that have multiple delivery locations and multi-tiered structures. This step cannot be rushed — choosing the wrong options will cost you more time in the future.

Stage 2: Artwork and approval (1 to 2 weeks)

After you have chosen your products, the branding artwork must be created and approved. We create mockups that show your logo on each branded item as well as your box design, foil placement and card design. You can review, approve or request revisions. Each round of revision adds two to three days. Clients who approve the first mockups and provide vector artwork instantly save a lot of time.

Stage 3: Production — branded items (10 to 14 days)

The actual branding of the item is done by engraving, debossing or foil stamping. It is not possible to rush this process without compromising quality. Laser engraving in bulk quantities requires time. Foil stamping takes time for setup and press time. After production, rigid custom boxes with printed wrappings require curing time. A clean, bulk production should take at least two weeks.

Stage 4: Assembly and quality check (3 to 5 days)

Each hamper or gift box is individually assembled and checked before shipping. This takes about 3 days for 200 pieces. At 1,000 pieces, 5 days. If you want to personalise the cards, this stage includes that. This step cannot be avoided — sending unassembled or unchecked products creates difficult-to-fix delivery problems.

Stage 5: Delivery (2 to 5 days)

Karachi to Karachi : 1 to 2 hours. Lahore – Islamabad : 1 – 2 days. Cross-city deliveries (Karachi – Lahore & Lahore – Islamabad at the same time): Received in 3 to 5 working days. December is the peak season for deliveries. The courier networks are under stress. Build a buffer.

The honest calendar

Add these stages for a clean and unhurried order: 1 week brief, 1.5 weeks artwork, 2 weeks production, 4 days assembly and 3 days delivery. This is approximately 7 weeks between the first contact and final delivery.

Mid-October is seven weeks before the 25th of December.

This is the answer. The best time to start corporate gifts for the New Year is in October. We offer the most options and pricing to companies who brief us by October.

What happens when you leave it later

• Early November, all stages are still possible. Custom packaging options are now slightly more limited. Excellent results.
• The deadline for the mid-November brief is tight but manageable. Rush charges may be applied to certain items. Packaging options are limited to those already in stock.
• Options are very limited. Rush production all the way. Premium charges. Some items unavailable.
• After December 10th, we will do our best to deliver custom items in December but cannot guarantee it. Only available in off-the-shelf versions.

How to use this timeline right now

You still have time if you read this in August, September or July. Inform us, confirm your options, and place your order before the end of October. We will produce the best possible version and you won’t think about Christmas gifts again until your order is delivered.

You need to act quickly if you’re reading this in October. You’re at the beginning of the window. You can still achieve everything, but each week that you delay narrows your choices.

Contact us right away if you’re reading this in December or November. We will be honest with you about what is possible within your budget and timeline.

Start by reading our guide on New Year corporate gifts in Pakistan to get a complete picture of your New Year gifting program.