Planning for peak season: Christmas, Mother's Day and more
Custom portraits are gifts, so demand arrives in waves. Planning for the waves is the difference between a great season and a queue of apologies.
1 min read
When orders peak
- October to December, for Christmas and the holidays
- The weeks before Mother's Day and Father's Day
- Valentine's Day
- Graduation and wedding season
Why lead times stretch
Every painting still needs the same layers and drying time in December as in June. When demand rises, the queue gets longer, so lead times can stretch by a week or more.
Setting your cut-off dates
For Christmas delivery, encourage customers to order by the end of October, and set a firm cut-off in mid-November. For Mother's Day and Father's Day, allow at least three to four weeks before the date. Tell us your expected volumes early so we can plan.
What happens when it's too late
The options are faster shipping at extra cost, or a gift card and a painting that arrives after the date. Neither is as good as an early cut-off, clearly shown on your store.
Related guides
How to add hand-painted custom portraits to your online store
What a successful custom portrait listing includes, how orders flow between your store and the studio, and the mistakes new sellers make.
Dropshipping hand-painted art: blind shipping and approval photos
How blind shipping works for hand-painted art, how single pieces are packed and sent, and how to handle an unhappy customer.
What drives the cost of a custom painting
Size, subject, detail, texture and timing: the factors that decide what a hand-painted commission costs, and what else to count when you price it in your store.