Cut down the turnaround time for your Christmas orders!

The holiday season is full of magic, but for photographers it often comes with a little chaos too.

So what can you do to save yourself some stress and keep your cool? And what are we doing on our end to make this busy season a little easier for you? Let’s walk through it together and make sure this year’s holiday sessions leave you with happy memories instead of holiday headaches.

Now, when it comes to the pre-Christmas rush, there are some things neither of us can control - you as a photographer, and us as a photo product producer. What we can do, though, is plan ahead and organize things in a way that deadlines don’t become a problem, even when the workload turns out to be heavier than expected.

Here’s what we at nPhoto are doing to help you out:

1. Every year, before the holiday season, we expand our team so we have enough people to handle the busy period.
 

2. We stock up well in advance, so we don’t have to worry about supplies or production flow. You might not see it, but we do – for us, the Christmas season kicks off around summer!

3. We also roll out our holiday promotions early so that you - while still preparing - know what to expect and can plan your offer for your clients.
 

4. You wouldn’t know this, but before the season starts, we finalize or pause any new product launches or updates, so our team can focus entirely on processing orders smoothly.

5. Just a quick reminder: we’re the biggest photo product manufacturer in Poland, with a production line serving not just Poland but Germany, the UK, Spain, France, Ireland, the US, and many other countries. Our products are shipped worldwide, so we work hard to make sure our production runs like clockwork.
 

6. Even Black Friday is a bit delayed for us– while we always have discounts ready in November, we push them to after the holidays. Why? To avoid adding extra pressure to the production of pre-holiday orders.

Discover 7 ways to beat the deadlines!

Here are a few tips on what you can do to avoid extending the turnaround time of your pre-holiday orders and to shorten the wait for their arrival.

1. Order Prints Separately 

To minimize delays, it's best to order prints separately from other photo products. Prints typically have a faster production time compared to personalized items, which require additional customization steps. By placing separate orders, you ensure that your prints will be ready and shipped as soon as possible, rather than being held up by slower products. This simple strategy can save you precious time, especially when deadlines are tight.

 

2. Stock up

Yes, if you can: stock up. You know best what your customers prefer, so if they frequently choose prints in Envelopes for Prints – stock up on envelopes. Do the same for other products that don’t need personalization and can be ordered in advance. Once you receive your prints, you’ll be able to package them elegantly right away. An added benefit is that you won’t have to remember to order these envelopes each time. After all, you already have enough on your plate during the season, right?
 

3.Order Less, More Frequently

Frequent ordering might sound counterintuitive, but it can actually speed up the entire process. Smaller, more frequent orders are typically processed faster than large, complex ones. Moreover, placing orders as soon as you're ready helps avoid procrastination, which can lead to unnecessary delays. The quicker you place an order, the quicker you'll receive it, making this a great strategy to ensure timely deliveries.
Additionally, starting from Nov 23rd,2024, free shipping for Europe will be disabled – so there will be no extra benefits for placing larger orders.

4.Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute – It’ll Only Lead to Stress.

Placing an order at the last minute is never a good idea. Do you know why? Because you have to remember that countless other photographers are making similar decisions. And what happens then? We get flooded with orders, while you – the customers – get hit with waves of nerves and worry. Add potential delivery delays, which no one can control, and you’ve got a recipe for anxiety. But why go through that, when you can order some products in advance and be prepared, and leave only what truly needs to be ordered closer to the deadline?

In your work, you’re a photographer, a marketing specialist, and sometimes even a stylist – so, this season, be a good logistics specialist as well. That way, you’ll get through the holiday season with much less stress.
 

5. Stay Updated with Email Notifications
 

Once you've placed an order, be sure to check your email for important updates. We will send you details about the estimated turnaround time specific to your order. During peak seasons like the holidays, shipping times can fluctuate due to high demand, so it's essential to stay informed about any potential delays.
 

6. Stay coolheaded and think smart 

It is definitely worth keeping your eye out on any updates in the Production Time section of our website. You can find the latest information on any possible changes (if they occur). Use this knowledge to your advantage when planning your own deadlines. 
 

7. Join our Community of Photographers in our Facebook Group

If you are based in the UK, EU, or Ireland, join our nPhoto Community group, and for the US&global clients we have nPhoto Community USA. You will find answers to most frequent questions during the peak season, and support from your colleagues in the photography industry. 

nPhoto Community         |         nPhoto Community USA

That's all. Take these pieces of advice to heart to have a clearer mind and a smoother season. Good luck!