The holiday season always feels like it arrives faster than expected, and if you’re reading this, you’re probably in one of two situations:
- You just realized you still need holiday prints, or
- You planned ahead… but ran out of stock, ideas, or time anyway.
Either way, you’re not alone. Every December, thousands of small businesses scramble to create cards, packaging, signage, and last-minute promotions before Christmas.
The good news? You can still get high-quality holiday prints delivered in time as long as you choose the right products and follow a few smart shortcuts.
This guide breaks down the quickest print items, the easiest designs, the best packaging options, and essential tips for fast holiday delivery. Combined with your rush options from Overnight Prints, you’ll be able to finish your holiday marketing without stress.
For even more early-planning resources, you can bookmark Holiday Print Prep 2025 but for now, let’s focus on the prints you can still order today.
Quickest Products to Print & Ship
When time is running out, choosing the right print product makes all the difference.
Some items print and ship faster than others due to size, materials, or limited customization requirements. These are the ones that will get to you quickly, even during the busiest holiday weeks.
1. Greeting Cards (Fastest Turnaround)
Holiday cards remain the quickest, most impactful print piece you can order late in the season. Whether you’re sending cards to clients, employees, or customers, cards print quickly and require minimal preparation.
You can customize:
- Folded greeting cards
- Flat holiday cards
- Corporate holiday designs
- Photo-based cards
If you haven’t finalized your design, the Corporate Holiday Cards guide is a helpful resource with examples and ready-to-use inspiration.
Product link: Cards
2. Postcards (Affordable + Incredibly Fast)
Postcards are a lifesaver for last-minute holiday promotions. They print fast, mail fast, and work well as:
- Last-minute sale announcements
- Customer thank-you messages
- Event reminders
- Packaging inserts
- Local holiday promotions
Because postcards are lightweight and require no folding, they’re one of the quickest holiday print products to order.
Product link: Postcards
3. Stickers (Small, Fast, and Versatile)
Stickers are perfect for instant branding, holiday packaging, and festive add-ons. They have short production times and require minimal design setup.
Use them for:
- To-go bags
- Gift packaging
- Product labels
- Customer freebies
- Holiday event handouts
And because stickers are small, they ship quickly, even in large quantities.
Product link: Stickers
4. Wrapping Paper & Tissue (Perfect for Holiday Orders)
When you need to elevate your holiday packaging in a hurry, wrapping paper and custom tissue paper are both fast-to-print upgrades.
- Wrapping paper turns simple boxes into holiday-ready gifts.
- Tissue paper creates a premium unboxing moment.
These are especially useful for e-commerce shops shipping holiday orders up until the final days.
If you need creative inspo, check out Holiday Packaging Ideas for quick branding tips you can apply today.
Product links:
Easy Designs That Don’t Require Editing
Last-minute printing works best when you use designs that are simple, clean, and ready to upload. Here are formats that save you hours of editing while still looking polished.
Minimal Holiday Cards
A simple message like “Happy Holidays from our team to yours” paired with a clean design often performs just as well, or better, than complex layouts. Minimalist designs also avoid issues with alignment, cropping, or color overflow.
Template-Based Postcards
If you choose designs with:
- Bold headlines
- Full-bleed images
- Simple callouts
…you won’t have to adjust much. Just drop in your logo and offer.
Icon-Based Stickers
Using icons such as snowflakes, stars, trees, or simple shapes allows you to create holiday-themed stickers quickly. Add your business name, a thank-you message, or a seasonal phrase like “Packed with Holiday Cheer!”
Repeating-Pattern Wrapping Paper
Simple repeating patterns look premium without the need for highly detailed illustrations. Think:
- Polka dots
- Geometric shapes
- Small ornaments
- Script text patterns
These upload cleanly and print beautifully.
Holiday Packaging to Order Now
Holiday packaging is one of the easiest ways to instantly elevate your presentation without spending too much time redesigning your main branding.
Here are a few quick wins that still make a big impression:
Stickers as Gift Tags and Seals
Use custom stickers to:
- Seal tissue or wrapping
- Replace traditional gift tags
- Add festive flair to mailing boxes
- Brand holiday gift bags
Stick-on branding is instant, visible, and cost-effective.
Custom Wrapping Paper for Retail & E-Commerce
If you’re sending out holiday orders, wrapping paper is an easy way to create a joyful unboxing experience. It also photographs well, making it ideal for social media and customer content.
Tissue Paper for Premium Unboxing
Even simple products feel more luxurious when wrapped in branded tissue paper. It’s quick to produce, arrives folded and ready to use, and elevates your holiday experience with very little effort.
For even more ideas, visit Holiday Packaging Ideas — a must-read for small businesses during December.
Tips for Fast Holiday Delivery
If you’re cutting it close, there are a few things you must do to avoid delays:
1. Use Print-Ready Files
Export your designs as PDF, JPG, or PNG at 300 DPI.
Clean files mean faster printing.
2. Avoid Last-Minute Edits
Pick designs you don’t need to resize or recolor.
3. Choose Standard Sizes
Standard sizes ship faster than custom cuts.
4. Select Rush or Overnight Shipping
This makes the biggest difference in delivery timelines.
5. Double-Check Your Shipping Address
A single typo can cause a multi-day delay — especially during peak season.
If you want deeper guidance on preparing early (for next year!), save Holiday Print Prep 2025.
Order same-day or rush holiday prints with Overnight Prints.
