Every year, as the holiday season approaches, businesses across every industry scramble to get their marketing materials ready. From festive direct mail campaigns to branded packaging and promotional displays, the demand for print and fulfillment skyrockets—and shops fill up fast.
For marketers and business owners, understanding the holiday print rush isn’t just about surviving the season—it’s about planning ahead so your brand stands out when it matters most.
Why the Holiday Rush Happens
The holidays are the busiest time of year for both retailers and printers. Businesses ramp up their efforts to capture attention with seasonal marketing campaigns, custom packaging, and holiday signage—often all at once.
What many don’t realize is that print production involves multiple steps: design, proofing, printing, finishing, and shipping. When everyone’s trying to hit the same deadlines, even the best printers can get booked weeks in advance.
Planning early gives your business an edge—ensuring your holiday postcards, flyers, banners, and branded materials arrive on time and look their best.
Benefits of Planning Your Print Marketing Early
Early preparation isn’t just about avoiding stress. It’s a competitive advantage. Here’s why smart businesses start their holiday print marketing early:
- Guaranteed turnaround times: Beat the seasonal bottleneck and secure your spot in the production schedule.
- Consistent quality: Avoid rushed jobs that could compromise color accuracy or paper stock choices.
- Ample time for mailing and fulfillment: Especially important for direct mail campaigns and catalog printing.
- Room for creativity: Early planning gives your designers more freedom to craft something unique and on-brand.
What to Plan Ahead For
If your business uses print marketing to drive holiday sales, think beyond just December. Many companies also prepare New Year marketing materials, winter promotions, and January sales at the same time.
Common projects to plan for include:
- Holiday greeting cards and branded stationery
- Gift certificates and packaging inserts
- Posters, flyers, and banners for holiday sales
- Product catalogs and lookbooks
- Direct mail and promotional postcards
The more complex or customized your project, the earlier you should start.
Make Every Season a Success
At Selby Marketing, we help businesses prepare for every rush—not just the holidays. With professional design, quality printing, and dependable turnaround, we make sure your materials deliver the impact you’re aiming for.
Whether it’s your first big holiday marketing campaign or your annual seasonal refresh, a little planning goes a long way toward a smoother, more successful season.
Don’t wait until the calendar says “December” to start thinking about your print needs.
Reach out to Selby Marketing today and get a head start on your next holiday rush—your future self (and your customers) will thank you.