Lead time is rarely a single number. Once you click 'order', a sequence of dependent events begins. Some are deterministic (cutting time on a machine), some are stochastic (a tool breaks, a courier delays a flight). This article walks through the distribution honestly.
The five stages of an order
| Stage | Typical duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Order confirmation | 0 - 2 hours | Payment, supplier acknowledgment, file final review |
| Production queue | 0 - 3 days | Wait for the chosen supplier's earliest slot |
| Production | 1 - 14 days | Cutting, printing, molding, finishing, post-process |
| Inspection & QA | 0.5 - 2 days | Dimensional, visual, paperwork (MTR, CoC) |
| Logistics | 1 - 10 days | Domestic vs international, customs, last-mile |
Why queue time exists
Even the best suppliers are not idle. Queue time depends on the chosen supplier's load and the priority you bought (standard, expedited, rush). Expedite charges shift you to the front of the queue and unlock weekend operation.
Where production time actually goes
On CNC, machine time is rarely the bottleneck for short runs — setups and fixturing are. On molding, queue and tool-change is. On powder bed, build-tray packing decides whether your part ships in 5 days or 15. Quoting engine timestamps each phase so customers can see real progress, not just an ETA.
Inspection and paperwork
Default inspection is a sample-based dimensional check plus 100 percent visual. Tighter inspection (CMM, FAI, full dimensional report, MTR with chemical analysis, certificates of conformance) is opt-in and adds 0.5-2 days plus a small fee.
Asking for a CMM report after the part is shipped almost always requires a re-inspection. If you need it, request it at quote time so the supplier plans the inspection slot.
Shipping reality
Domestic Türkiye shipping typically lands in 24-48 hours. Within EU, 2-4 business days for express, 5-8 for economy. Outside EU, 3-7 days for express plus customs clearance window which varies wildly by country. Choose Incoterms thoughtfully — DAP usually keeps the customer experience smoother than EXW.
What you can influence
- Submit clean files (clear DXFs, accurate STEP, drawings only when needed) — saves 1-2 days of back-and-forth.
- Decide on inspection scope at order time — saves 0.5-1 days.
- Pick a supplier with stock material — saves 1-3 days vs special order.
- Use Incoterms that put logistics on us — saves customs handling on your side.
Tracking and notifications
Every Uretyco order has a status timeline visible to the customer, with email and in-app updates as the order moves between stages. If a supplier flags a delay, the customer learns within minutes — never as a surprise on the expected day.
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