After a busy holiday season, January may seem quieter, but for many retailers, it’s one of the most important sales periods of the year.
Shoppers are motivated by clearance deals, New Year routines, and “fresh start” purchases, making early-year promotions a powerful revenue driver.
The challenge? Standing out after the holiday noise fades.
While digital ads help, print materials remain one of the most cost-effective ways to get attention in stores, neighborhoods, cafés, shopping centers, and local communities.
And unlike online promotions, print pieces stay visible: on windows, counters, bulletin boards, bags, and mailboxes.
To sharpen your January strategy, this guide breaks down the best print products, seasonal color choices, retail placement tips, and ways to reuse leftover holiday prints so you can maximize visibility without overspending.
For deeper design help, explore Flyers That Sell and Drive Foot Traffic With Print.
Best Print Products for Early-Year Marketing
January promotions work best when the messaging is simple, bold, and everywhere your customers look. The following print products consistently drive foot traffic and get early-year deals noticed.
1. Flyers for Quick Awareness
Flyers are one of the most flexible tools for January sales because they work in both high-volume and targeted settings. You can hand them out, place them in bags, post them on community boards, or leave them at partner businesses.
Top formats for January include:
- Half-page or quarter-page promo flyers
- Full-page sale announcements
- Offer-driven designs (“Buy 1, Get 1”)
Flyers also pair well with direct callouts such as:
- “New Year, New Deals!”
- “Winter Clearance Starts Today”
- “Fresh Start Savings”
Product link: Flyers
For more design guidance, see Flyers That Sell.
2. Posters for Storefront Visibility
If your goal is to stop foot traffic, posters are essential. Bright, bold window posters help communicate that something new is happening inside your store, which is crucial in January, when many customers assume retail slows down.
Posters work best for:
- Clearance events
- Limited-time offers
- Loyalty program promotions
- New product launches for the new year
Use large type, contrasting colors, and a clear start date. For a comparison of formats, see Posters vs Flyers.
Product link: Posters
3. Rack Cards for Point-of-Sale Promotions
Rack cards play a strategic role in January because customers are already in “decision mode.” Placing rack cards at checkout counters, service desks, tasting tables, waiting areas, or shelves gives them one last nudge toward a purchase.
You can use rack cards to promote:
- Membership or rewards programs
- Upcoming winter workshops
- New seasonal menus
- Clearance highlights
- Add-on services
They’re also great for boutiques, salons, gyms, cafés, and fitness studios, where January traffic patterns change significantly.
Product link: Rack Cards
4. Postcards & Packaging Inserts
Postcards aren’t just for mail, they are one of the most underrated tools for January repeat business.
Use postcards or inserts for:
- Thank-you notes from holiday purchases
- “Come back in January” offers
- Coupon cards
- Upsell recommendations
A simple insert placed in holiday orders can bring customers back when you need them most.
Product link: Postcards
Seasonal Colors That Convert in January
January visuals should feel clean, refreshing, and optimistic a shift from the warm reds and golds of December. The right color palette can make your sales materials feel timely and irresistible.
Here are some of the top color directions for early 2026:
1. Frosted Blues & Cool Neutrals
Soft sky blue, slate gray, icy white, and muted navy communicate clarity and “fresh start” energy. These palettes work beautifully for:
- Fitness promos
- Wellness products
- Home organization sales
2. Emerald Green & Deep Teal
These colors signal renewal and growth, making them ideal for:
- Beauty brands
- Home goods
- Eco-friendly retailers
3. Champagne Gold & Soft Metallics
Metallic-inspired colors (even without foil) help bridge the visual gap between holiday and winter promotions. They add a touch of celebration without looking overly festive.
4. High-Contrast Black & White
Minimalist black-and-white designs stand out sharply in retail environments and feel modern for January campaigns.
For color psychology insights, see The Science of Color.
Placement Tips for Retail
The success of printed materials doesn’t depend only on the design, it depends on where they appear. Small improvements in placement can dramatically increase response rates.
1. Use Your Window Real Estate Wisely
Large posters placed at eye level catch customers before they’ve decided whether to walk in. Keep messaging short — your poster should be readable from across the sidewalk.
2. Put Flyers Near Products They Support
If you’re promoting a “New Year Fitness Sale,” place those flyers near water bottles, activewear racks, or nutrition items.
3. Turn Your Checkout Area Into a Promo Zone
Rack cards, small posters, and inserts work best where customers pause — near the register, waiting lines, or pick-up counters.
4. Use Bag Stuffers for Repeat Traffic
Every shopper who leaves with a flyer or insert becomes a potential January return customer.
For broader strategy, read Drive Foot Traffic With Print.
How to Reuse Leftover Holiday Prints
If you printed materials for December and didn’t use them all, you can still put them to work instead of recycling them.
1. Convert Holiday Inserts into January Coupons
Simply cover or trim the holiday message and stamp a discount code or “January Special” message onto the back.
2. Turn Holiday Postcards Into Thank-You Notes
Customers love appreciation messages at the start of the year. A quick handwritten “Thanks for supporting us during the holidays!” goes a long way.
3. Reuse Wrapping Designs as Backgrounds
Holiday-themed backgrounds often work as abstract winter aesthetic elements for January promotions, especially blues, silvers, greens, or soft metallics.
4. Cut Posters Into Micro-Signs
Leftover posters can be turned into shelf talkers, table displays, or mini-signs for product bins.
Turning old materials into new assets is cost-effective and sustainable, a win for your budget and your brand.
Prep your January promotions with Overnight Prints.
January shoppers are motivated, intentional, and looking for fresh deals. The right combination of flyers, posters, rack cards, and inserts can turn early-year momentum into real sales.
