Give a Louisville date six to ten weeks. The presses ship freight from our Fullerton shop and the crew flies in a day before load-in, so the calendar is set by the truck and your venue's move-in window more than by press time. Derby week needs longer.
A working timeline
- Three to four months out: the right window for anything on the Thursday-to-Saturday Derby peak, when crews, tents and hotel rooms across the metro get committed.
- Six to ten weeks out: the normal window for a KICC booth, a corporate night or a bourbon launch. Time for art proofs, a garment order and freight.
- About a week out: art is final and blanks lock, so screens and transfers get made before the crates leave.
- Inside that: sometimes still possible with simple art and standard blanks, as long as freight can make it. Ask and we'll answer fast.
What speeds it up
Put the logo or art, a rough headcount, the venue, the date and the stations you want in the first email. Every item we don't have to chase is a day back on the schedule.
Date moving? Tell us as early as you can. Two weeks' notice is the comfortable minimum, because the freight is booked by then.
Check booking lead time and pricing, then request your Louisville quote.
Louisville notes
Why Louisville dates need the runway
The lead time is mostly the trip. A crated station spends days on a truck from Fullerton, and a big show week downtown fills hotels and loading docks at the same time.
Once the freight is scheduled the rest is routine: presses, flash dryers, heat presses, blanks, tables, signage and printers, all in place before your doors open.