Anybody who needs printing today wants a straight answer. The honest one is that it depends on the job, the file and the time of day. Here is how to work out where you stand.

Jobs that often can be done today

Documents and copies. Small jobs are often done while you wait. See document printing.
Passport photos. Usually ready in minutes. See passport photos.
Posters. A ready PDF sent early can often be collected later that day. See poster printing.
Business cards and flyers. Ready artwork on standard stock is often achievable. See business cards and flyers.
Comb and wire binding. Simple documents can often be bound quickly.
Single mugs and one-off T-shirts. Possible when we have the item in stock.

Jobs that sometimes can be done today

Stapled booklets. Short runs can be possible, but folding and stapling add time.
Roller banners. Possible if a stand is in stock and the file is ready.
Stickers. Simple paper stickers are more likely than cut vinyl with lamination.
Boards and PVC banners. It depends on size and finishing, such as hems and eyelets.
Orders of service. We do our best when a funeral date is close, so please phone us.

Jobs that usually need longer

Hardback and sewn binding, because of the time needed for cases and drying.
Embroidery, especially if a logo needs digitising.
Printed gazebos, flags, umbrellas, pens and cups, which are usually made to order.
Foil, numbering and unusual finishes, because each adds another step.

What decides whether it is possible

Is your file ready? This is the biggest single factor. A PDF at the correct size can go straight to print, whereas a file that needs fixing, or a design from scratch, needs time for changes and a proof.
What time did it reach us? A file received first thing has far more chance than one that arrives late in the day.
How many do you need? Ten posters is a very different job from a thousand leaflets.
Does it need finishing? Folding, trimming, laminating, drilling and binding all come after printing, and ink or laminate sometimes needs time to settle.
How busy are we? Exam periods and the weeks before Christmas fill up quickly.

How to give your job the best chance

Phone first on 020 8133 4499, so you can get an honest answer before you travel.
Use our checklist for preparing files so that nothing needs correcting.
Be clear about your real deadline: "by 3pm for a train" is more useful than "as soon as possible".
Be available to approve the proof. A proof that sits unread for two hours can be what causes a job to miss the day.
Consider a simpler version. Standard sizes and stock are always quicker, so a plain A5 flyer today may be better than a folded one tomorrow.

What about free design?

We set up artwork free of charge when we print the job, and simple layouts can still be done in a day. A complex design from scratch is harder, because it needs back-and-forth with you. If time is very short, send us your wording, your logo and one example that you like. The clearer your brief, the quicker we can work.

A word on promises

We would rather tell you honestly that something cannot be done today than promise it and let you down. If we cannot meet your deadline, we will say so as early as possible, and we will suggest a way of getting something usable in time.

Same-Day Printing: What Can Realistically Be Done Today?