Production first, then delivery
Production is the time needed to prepare and complete your clothing. Dispatch is when your parcel enters the delivery process. Delivery is when it reaches you. A next-day delivery service does not make a decorated order a next-day production order.
| Order type | Production or dispatch |
|---|---|
| Branded clothing | Estimated production: 3–5 working days |
| Eligible rush orders | 1–2 working days, depending on volume and decoration method |
| In-stock plain garments | Normally dispatched in 1–2 working days |
Visual explanation: Production to delivery Production prepares and completes the clothing. Dispatch hands the parcel into the delivery process. Delivery is arrival with the recipient; use the live order for current status. Three stages with different meanings.
When production day one begins
All four conditions must be met before production time starts:
- Payment received, or agreed credit terms satisfied.
- Artwork approved where approval is required.
- Required garments available for production.
- Order accepted and confirmed by Colour Apparel.
If all four conditions are met before 1 pm UK local time on a working day, that day is day one. At or after 1 pm, day one is the next working day. Working days are Monday–Friday, excluding England/Wales bank holidays.
Need a rush order?
Customers can select rush service on eligible products. The 1–2 working-day production range depends on order volume and decoration method. The current surcharge is 20% of garments and decoration, excluding VAT and delivery. Ask the team before relying on a deadline; an existing order can be upgraded only with team confirmation.
Planning for an event
Tell us the date the clothing must be in your hands, the destination, garment and quantities, and whether your artwork is ready. Ask us to confirm the dispatch plan for your particular order. Standard production times are estimates; a confirmed dispatch commitment is separate from the carrier’s delivery date.
Delivery across the UK
We deliver across the UK, including Northern Ireland. Standard mainland delivery is usually Royal Mail 48. This is a delivery aim, not a guaranteed 48-hour arrival. For larger orders, we may upgrade to DPD Next Day at no extra charge; this is the selected service, not a guaranteed arrival date. AM and before-10:30 upgrades are available only where offered for your destination. Prices and delivery times for Northern Ireland, the Highlands and islands are shown at checkout.
When standard mainland delivery is free
| Basket | Qualifying subtotal |
|---|---|
| Decorated items | £50 or more for the qualifying basket |
| Plain items | £50 or more for the qualifying basket |
| Mixed plain and decorated | £50 or more combined in the qualifying basket |
Examples after discounts, excluding VAT: £50 of qualifying clothing qualifies for free standard mainland delivery. £30 plain + £20 decorated also qualifies. £49.99 does not reach the threshold. Choose an available service and check the final delivery charge at checkout; regional or timed services can cost extra.
Regional and timed-delivery supplements
If your basket qualifies, Northern Ireland, Highlands and island orders pay only the difference above equivalent standard mainland delivery. For AM or before-10:30 upgrades, you also pay only the extra above the equivalent standard service. Apply that mainland allowance once, including when a delivery is both regional and timed. If your basket does not qualify, the usual selected delivery charge applies.
Check the delivery charge for your exact address and service before paying. If an expected allowance is missing, contact the team with the basket details so we can check it.
Tracking after dispatch
Tracking is automatically emailed after dispatch. Check the link for each parcel and the carrier’s latest scan. A label can exist before the carrier records collection. Help does not yet retrieve your private order or live tracking; use the emailed link or contact Support.
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