The holiday season is one of the busiest and most profitable times of the year for businesses of all sizes. With so much digital noise, print marketing offers a refreshing, tangible way to connect with your audience. Whether you’re mailing festive postcards, creating gift packaging, or adding custom holiday tags, print helps your brand leave a lasting impression.
At Print Cartel, we make it simple to order premium print materials that bring your holiday marketing ideas to life.
Why Print Marketing Still Shines During the Holidays
During the holidays, people value genuine connections—and print delivers that in a way digital messages simply can’t. In fact, studies show that up to 90% of Every Door Direct Mail is viewed, compared to an average of just 20-30% of emails. A beautifully printed postcard or thoughtfully designed custom holiday cards feel personal and meaningful.
These tangible materials invite customers to pause, hold, display, or even share your heartfelt message, creating a lasting impression that email or social posts can’t match, leading to a 70-80% higher brand recall rate than digital ads.
Print also complements digital marketing efforts. A festive, well-designed EDDM postcard can drive new customers to your website, while branded packaging or thank-you inserts can turn an online order into a memorable unboxing experience. Together, these thoughtful print details keep your brand in your customers’ hands and on their minds throughout the holiday season.
Setting Clear Holiday Marketing Goals
Before you start designing, take a moment to define what success looks like for your holiday campaign. Are you aiming to increase sales, thank loyal customers, or promote a new product line? Having a clear goal helps shape your message and design choices.
Next, think about who you’re reaching. Different audiences respond to different types of print marketing. For example, local customers might engage more with targeted mailers or local distribution flyers.
Online shoppers, on the other hand, will appreciate branded inserts or handwritten thank-you cards included with their orders. This focus on personalization is crucial: Studies show that personalized mail campaigns, whether EDDM or Direct Mail, can increase response rates by as much as 135% compared to generic mailers.
By setting focused goals and tailoring your approach to each audience, your holiday print marketing will feel more personal and perform more effectively. In fact, 80% of consumers report being more likely to purchase from companies that offer a personalized experience.
Choosing the Right Print Materials
The right print materials can make your holiday marketing feel thoughtful, polished, and on brand. From custom cards, postcards to packaging, every piece is an opportunity to connect with your audience in a meaningful way. Choose items that fit your message, style, and budget.
Holiday Postcards & Mailers
Holiday postcards and targeted mailers are a classic, highly effective way to connect with customers during the busiest shopping season of the year. They give your message a tangible presence, something people can hold, read, and remember long after scrolling past an online ad.
The Data Proves the Difference:
While your email inboxes can overflow with holiday spam, physical mail captures attention. The average direct mail campaign has a response rate that is significantly higher than email (with some studies showing it can be 9 times higher). Furthermore, postcards are an excellent format, with some reports showing they have an average response rate of over 4%.
Use postcards and mailers to announce special sales, share exclusive offers, or promote holiday events. They’re ideal for thanking loyal customers, attracting new shoppers, or driving foot traffic to your store. You can reach specific neighborhoods and demographics without needing a mailing list, making it an affordable and targeted option for local campaigns.
How to Maximize Your Impact:
- Personalize your message with variable data printing such as addressing customers by name or customizing offers by region. This level of personalization can increase response rates by as much as 135%.
- Make sure your photos are 300dpi and allow your offer to be clear and compelling, with limited-time deals to create urgency. Include a strong Call to Action (CTA) that motivates your customers to act quickly.
For example, a coffee shop could mail postcards offering a free holiday drink with purchase, while a retail store might promote an exclusive preview sale for local residents. Designed postcards with festive colors, textures, and finishes do more than share information they build lasting customer connections.
Holiday Cards & Greeting Cards
Custom holiday cards remain one of the most genuine and impactful ways to connect with customers, clients, and partners during the season. They convey appreciation, strengthen relationships, and keep your business top of mind well beyond the holidays. Unlike a digital message, a printed custom card feels personal and thoughtful, something people often display or save as a reminder of your brand’s care and attention.
Choose from various postcard and folded card sizes to match your message and design needs. Popular postcard sizes such as 4" x 6", 5" x 7", and 6" x 9" offer flexibility for everything from simple greetings to detailed designs with imagery and brand messaging.
Tip: Folded holiday greeting cards provide additional space for handwritten notes, personal messages, or promotional inserts.
Using premium or standard cardstock and finishes such as custom Foil, Spot UV, or embossing can make your cards feel polished and memorable. Adding a handwritten signature or short message adds warmth and authenticity, showing recipients that your brand values the human touch.
For example, a real estate agent could send personalized holiday postcards thanking clients for their trust over the past year, while a local boutique might mail folded greeting cards with a discount code for post-holiday shopping. A corporate office could send elegant, branded cards to partners or vendors as a gesture of appreciation.
Whether mailed directly or included in packages, holiday greeting cards are simple yet powerful tools that build goodwill, reinforce brand identity, and leave a lasting impression long after the season ends.
Business Cards & HangTags
Business cards and gift tags may be small, but they carry big impact during the holidays. A designed business card with a festive Stamped Gold Foil (foil finishes) or Spot UV finish instantly feels premium and memorable, perfect for networking events, client gifts, or in-store handouts.
Note: Not sure whether Matte or Glossy card stock is right for your design? Check out our quick guide to compare the look, feel, and finish of both.
Hang tags, meanwhile, bring polish and professionalism to your products and gifts. Whether attached to apparel, gift boxes, or seasonal merchandise, custom hang tags reinforce your brand identity while adding a festive finish. Match them to your holiday color palette or use them to share special messages, care instructions, or discount codes.
These details elevate your presentation and remind customers that your brand values quality and creativity in every interaction.
Custom Flyers & Brochures
Flyers and brochures are print materials that make your holiday promotions stand out with clear, eye catching visuals. Whether you’re promoting a seasonal event, highlighting gift bundles, or featuring new products, these pieces offer an effective and easy way to share key information at a glance while reinforcing your brand’s festive message.
A creatively designed flyer can be an effective way to promote pop-up shops, holiday sales, or special events that require immediate visibility. Brochures serve as an excellent medium for presenting your complete holiday collection, service packages, or gift guides in a detailed and easily accessible format. Both formats provide customers with a tangible piece to take with them, keeping your brand and message top of mind well after they have left your store or event.
Make sure they help users clearly on what their next step should be. Include a strong call-to-action like “Shop Now,” “Limited Time Offer,” or “Visit Us This Weekend” to prompt immediate engagement and drive results. Distribute flyers and brochures in high traffic areas, including checkout counters, local cafés, and community boards, or include them in shopping bags and shipped orders to extend your reach and leave a lasting impression.
For example, a salon may distribute flyers promoting a holiday gift card special, while a boutique could include brochures showcasing winter collections or curated gift sets. When thoughtfully designed, flyers and brochures present your promotions in a professional and polished manner, making it easy for customers to engage and take action.
Branded Packaging & Custom Stickers
Branded packaging and stickers bring an elevated, professional touch to any holiday marketing campaign. These finishing details transform ordinary shipments into thoughtful experiences that make customers feel appreciated.
When a customer opens a beautifully packaged order, it feels more like receiving a gift, strengthening their connection to your brand and encouraging repeat business. It can encourage repeat business and enhance the unboxing experience for online orders.
Incorporate custom boxes, tissue paper, or thank you inserts that align with your brand identity and holiday theme. Stickers and labels can be used to seal packaging, share festive greetings, or draw attention to limited time offers. Coordinating your packaging design with seasonal colors and messaging creates a cohesive, recognizable presentation that enhances every order.
For example, an online retailer might use branded stickers saying “Packed with Holiday Cheer,” while a local bakery could add custom labels to cookie boxes or coffee cups. A boutique can enhance packaging with festive hang tags and logo stickers for a gift ready look. Service businesses can send holiday cards, thank you boxes with branded tissue paper and personalized cards.
In-Store Signage (Banners, Posters, Window Clings)
In-store signage plays a vital role in attracting attention and setting the tone for the holiday shopping experience. Well designed banners, posters, and window clings not only draw in passersby but also create a festive and inviting atmosphere that encourages customers to browse, shop, and engage with your brand.
Use vibrant seasonal colors, bold typography, and clear messaging to highlight sales, special promotions, or new arrivals. Window clings can transform storefronts into cheerful displays, while banners and posters placed near entrances or checkout areas can help guide customers toward featured products or gift ideas.
For example, imagine a retail boutique putting up a big, eye catching poster to shout out their “Holiday Weekend Sale.” Or picture a cozy restaurant or café using window clings to highlight special seasonal drinks or limited time menu items. Even a salon or spa might hang up festive banners to spread cheer and the word about holiday packages or gift card deals.
Holiday Printing That Connects, Converts, and Celebrates the Season
The holidays are more than just a busy sales window; they’re a chance to make genuine connections that last long after the season ends. While digital ads come and go, print marketing stays visible, tangible, and trusted. From postcards that reach new customers to branded packaging that turns an order into an experience, every printed piece adds personality and purpose to your holiday marketing.
At Print Cartel, we help you craft materials that look as good as they perform. Whether you need festive mailers, gift tags, or packaging that leaves a lasting impression, our premium print options make it easy to bring your ideas to life and your brand into customers’ hands.
Make this holiday season your most memorable yet. Create, print, and deliver something worth holding onto.
