If you need ID cards today, the questions that matter are practical: when is the cutoff, what files do you need, when will the cards ship, and what happens if you miss the window? This guide walks through exactly how same-day ordering and turnaround work at Same Day ID, step by step, so you can plan around a real deadline. If you just want to start, go to the Same Day ID homepage or order your cards directly.
The Short Version: The 1 PM ET Cutoff
Orders finalized and paid for before 1:00 PM ET on a standard business day (Monday through Friday) are printed and ready for shipping or local pickup by 5:00 PM ET that same day. Orders that come in after the cutoff move into the next business morning's production run. That one rule drives everything else in this guide, so it helps to work backward from it: if your design, photos and names are ready by late morning, you are in good shape.
The cutoff is in Eastern Time. If you are in Central, Mountain or Pacific time, convert before you plan your day: 1:00 PM ET is noon Central, 11:00 AM Mountain and 10:00 AM Pacific.
Step 1: Prepare Your Files Before You Start
Most delays on rush orders come from files, not printing. Before you open the order form, gather:
- Your design or logo. You can upload JPG, PNG or PDF files. A PDF or a large PNG keeps logos and small text crisp on a CR80 card.
- Photos, if the card has one. Use clear, well-lit headshots taken straight on against a plain background. A photo that looks fine on a phone screen can look soft when printed, so use the original file rather than a screenshot.
- The text for each card. Names, titles, departments and any ID numbers. Check spelling now; it is much faster than reprinting later.
You do not need to create an account to order, which saves a few minutes when you are working against the clock.
Step 2: Choose Your Card Options
Every card is printed on a standard CR80 PVC card, the same size as a credit card, so it fits standard badge holders and wallets. Not sure about the size? Read What is CR80 size?. On the order page you choose your options, such as a holographic overlay, and enter the quantity. Keep the design simple if time is tight: a clean layout with your logo, the person's photo, name and role is quick to proof and easy to read at a glance.
Step 3: Review and Pay Before the Cutoff
The cutoff applies to orders that are finalized and paid. An order sitting in a cart at 12:55 PM ET is not in the same-day run until checkout is complete. Give yourself a buffer: aim to finish checkout by about noon ET, especially for larger quantities or cards with many different names and photos.
Before you pay, check each card preview for:
- Spelling of every name and title
- Photo crop, so heads are not cut off at the top
- Logo placement and contrast against the background
- Any ID numbers, which are easy to mistype
Step 4: Printing and Dispatch
Once your order is in before the cutoff, it goes into that day's production. Cards are printed, packed and handed to the carrier on the same business day, or set aside for local pickup by 5:00 PM ET. You receive an email with your tracking number. Please allow up to 4 hours after the 1:00 PM ET cutoff for tracking links to become active in the carrier's system, so a tracking number that shows no movement right away is normal.
Step 5: Delivery Time Depends on the Shipping Method
"Same day" refers to printing and dispatch. How fast the cards reach you then depends on the shipping option you pick at checkout and on the carrier. If you need cards in hand on a specific date, pick the shipping speed that matches that date, or choose local pickup if you are nearby. See the shipping policy for the full details.
What If You Need to Change Something?
Changes are only possible if you contact us before the 1 PM ET cutoff for your order. After that point your cards may already be printing. This is the main reason to proof carefully in Step 3: a typo caught before checkout costs nothing, while a typo caught after printing means a new order.
Planning Around Common Same-Day Situations
A new hire starts tomorrow
Collect the new hire's photo and details the day before if you can, then order in the morning. If the start date is tomorrow and you order before 1 PM ET today, choose a shipping option that arrives overnight or pick up locally.
A badge was lost or damaged
Reuse the original design file so the replacement matches the rest of your team. Only the photo and name need to be checked again.
An event is this week
For events, the bottleneck is usually the attendee list. Lock the list, export names and roles, and order as one batch. For larger runs, see our guide to bulk ID card ordering and our event badges page.
Same-Day Ordering Checklist
- Design or logo saved as JPG, PNG or PDF
- Clear, original photos for every card that needs one
- Names and titles checked for spelling
- Options and quantity chosen
- Checkout completed before 1:00 PM ET on a business day
- Shipping method matched to the date you need the cards
- Tracking email checked a few hours after the cutoff
A Note on What These Cards Are
Same Day ID cards are custom company, school and event cards. They are not government ID and can't be used in place of a driver's license, state ID or passport. Designs that imitate government identification are refused.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the same-day cutoff time?
Orders finalized and paid before 1:00 PM ET on a business day, Monday through Friday, are printed and ready for shipping or local pickup by 5:00 PM ET that day.
What happens if I order after 1 PM ET?
Orders after the cutoff are prioritized for the next business morning.
Do I need an account to order?
No. You can upload your JPG, PNG or PDF files and check out without creating an account.
When will my tracking number work?
Allow up to 4 hours after the 1:00 PM ET cutoff for tracking links to become active in the carrier's system.
Can I change my order after I pay?
Only if you contact us before the 1 PM ET cutoff for your order.
Ready to start? Head to the Same Day ID homepage or go straight to the order page.