Production timelines can be requested from your Project Coordinator at any time via email. In order to create a timeline, we will need the following information:

• Project Nickname - This should be whatever you’re calling your project internally; we’ll match it to make things easier!

• Solution Code - Not sure? Check out the unit values guide on your dashboard. Please list all components, including extras (e.g., reply envelope, buckslip, materials provided by you).  

• Estimated Count - It’s best to aim high. We can adjust if your count drops on or before approval.

• Desired Date - Your desired date could be an approval date, drop date, or in-mailboxes date; let us know which one and we’ll work from there. Please also include if your desired date is ‘or earlier’ or ‘no sooner.’

• Mail-Class - This is only required if your desired date is an in-mailboxes date. In addition, be sure to indicate if you’ll be using an affixed stamp, as this adds to production time.

Once the above information is provided, your Project Coordinator will provide you with a timeline within 48 hours. If a timeline has not been requested prior to the submission of a new project through Lytho, one will be created for you and listed in the proof information on your first proof.

 

Best practice is to request a timeline at least six weeks prior to a desired drop date or nine weeks before a desired mailbox date to ensure we are able to meet your deadlines. 

 

Already received a timeline from us and not sure how to digest it? Here's a little cheat sheet:

Customer: A 3 or 4-digit code we use to identify you as a customer 

tmp: A 4-digit code we use to identify the project

project nickname: This will match your request

Count: The number you put in your request

Solution: The code we use for mailer type

Mail Class: Class indicated by you

Approval & Final data: The date on which we would need approval of a merged PDF proof and the final data submitted to us

Drop Date: The date it will leave our facility

In-Homes Date: A range of dates this would arrive in-homes if we drop it on the above date

# of Business Days in Production: The number of days needed in production to complete the mailing     

*NOTE: Quoted timelines are subject to change in the event of alterations to project specifications, including, but not limited to, approval date, solution type, quantity, and mail class. Please request updated timelines from your Project Coordinator as project specifications change to ensure your timeline reflects the latest project information.

**NOTE: Approval date requires your approval of the final PDF proof as well as your final data. Revisions to data or art post-approval will affect your timeline.

Track Your Timeline Online

Once your timeline is set up, you can check on it anytime in your Pledgemine portal — no need to email your Project Coordinator just for a status update. Log in and go to the Timelines page to see every active project, grouped by the month and year its approval date falls in.

 

Each timeline lists the project name, solution code, piece count, and mail class. If you have two versions of the same project — say, one mailing non-profit and one first-class — the project name will show which one it is.

 

Each timeline also carries a status tag, so you can see where things stand at a glance:

• Requested — a timeline has been requested and is currently being prepared, but it is not ready to view yet

• Pending Changes — a timeline has already been received, but updates have been requested and a revised version is being prepared

• Not Started — design work hasn't begun yet

• On Track — 6 or more business days remain before the approval date

• At Risk — 5 or fewer business days remain before the approval date

• Off Track — the approval date has passed

• In Production — approved and now being produced

• Completed — mailed and done

• Cancelled — the project was cancelled and won't be mailed

• Expired — the approval date passed without any activity for an extended period, and the project is no longer being tracked as active

If your project goes off track, your Project Coordinator will reach out to talk about a new approval date. Production time itself doesn't shrink to make up for lost time, so a later approval date means a later delivery. If a timeline expires, just reach out to your Project Coordinator to pick it back up.

 

A few more things about the page:

• Hovering over any date will show more detail.

• By default, you'll only see your active timelines. You can switch over to see everything that's already completed, cancelled, or expired, and filter by status if you just want to check on, say, everything that's off track.

• Your existing projects are already loaded here — there's nothing you need to do to start seeing them.

 

Average Production Timelines*

1-300: 3-4 business days

301 - 700: 4-5 business days

701 - 1,500: 5-6 business days

1,501 - 3,000: 6-8 business days

3,001 - 5,000: 8-9 business days

5,001 - 10,000: 9-10 business days

10,001 - 15,000: 10-13 business days

15,001+: 13 - 15 business days

*Timeline averages are based on Pledgemine’s most common solutions, 1i and 4A. Final production time is calculated using the total count and solution of choice and may be shorter or longer than the averages listed here.