It’s that moment, right before the holiday chaos hits.
Emails are still manageable, clients are still answering the phone, and your marketing to-do list looks deceptively short.
But if you’ve been through a few Q4s, you know how fast that changes.
By mid-November, print deadlines tighten. By December, shipping costs spike and by the time you think “I should order those calendars,” everyone else already has.
That’s why October and early November are the golden window to prepare your print materials, the items that make your brand feel thoughtful, ready, and connected during the year’s busiest season.
So before you dive headfirst into holiday campaigns, here’s your Year-End Marketing Checklist, complete with the print essentials that keep your business top of mind long after the confetti settles.
1. Start with What Lasts: Custom Calendars
If you print only one thing before year’s end, make it calendars.
They’re not just gifts, they’re 12 months of built-in marketing.
Every time your client flips the page, your logo, colors, and message are right there, creating passive brand awareness all year long.
- Wall calendars: Perfect for offices, home workspaces, or waiting rooms.
- Desk calendars: Great for B2B relationships — functional and personal.
- Photo calendars: Excellent for creative businesses or nonprofits.
Pro tip: Design your calendar with subtle marketing touches — key company milestones, quotes that align with your brand, or mini reminders like “Ask us about our spring sale.”
Related Blog: Custom Calendar Printing: Wall, Desk & Photo Options
2. Rekindle Relationships: Holiday Greeting Cards
The end of the year isn’t just about closing deals, it’s about strengthening relationships.
Sending a custom greeting card tells clients, partners, and employees that you value them — not just their business.
And in a world full of automated emails, a physical card stands out.
You don’t need anything elaborate. A clean design, warm message, and personal touch go further than a generic “Happy Holidays” post on social media.
- Add handwritten signatures from your team.
- Include a short message of gratitude or a highlight from the year.
- Match the design to your brand tone — whether elegant, cheerful, or minimalist.
Pair your greeting cards with matching envelopes and address labels for a polished finish.
Related Blog: Thank-You Cards That Build Client Loyalty
3. Look Professional, Even in the Details
If you’ve ever received a beautifully packaged card, crisp paper, custom envelope, neat branding, you know how powerful presentation can be.
That’s why little touches like branded envelopes, address labels, or self-inking stamps can make your business feel established and thoughtful.
These materials may seem small, but they send a strong message: “We care about the details.”
That’s especially important for service-based professionals, realtors, consultants, designers, agencies, who rely on credibility and trust.
Related Blog: How to Create Professional Letterhead
4. Prepare Your “Thank You” Arsenal
As the year winds down, your audience doesn’t just want another promotion, they want connection.
That’s why it’s smart to stock up on thank-you cards and small, branded stationery like notepads for handwritten notes or client packages.
When a customer receives a personal note in the mail, instead of an automated message, they remember it. And that memory translates to loyalty in the new year.
Pair your thank-you notes with a discount code or referral offer to keep momentum going beyond the holidays.
Related Blog: 5 Print Add-Ons That Boost Brand Loyalty (And Keep Customers Coming Back)
5. Make Room for Creativity: Limited-Edition Prints
Year-end is your chance to have fun with your print materials.
You can design limited-edition cards, gift tags, or even custom wrapping paper to surprise your clients and staff. These aren’t just gifts, they’re extensions of your brand personality.
Creative brands (like local shops, agencies, or coffee houses) often use seasonal packaging as part of their storytelling. A beautiful unboxing experience can leave a stronger impression than a year’s worth of ads.
Related Blog: Holiday Packaging Ideas: Tissue, Wrapping & Print Inserts for Small Brands
6. Check Your Marketing Collateral
While you’re at it, review your everyday materials too.
Are your business cards up to date? Do you still have flyers or brochures ready for events and pop-ups?
The end of the year is the perfect moment to refresh your basics so you can start January strong, no scrambling for reprints when new opportunities come in.
Related Blog: 5 Common Print Mistakes Small Businesses Make
7. Think Beyond December
Printing now doesn’t just prepare you for the holidays, it sets the tone for Q1.
Calendars, thank-you cards, and stationery become everyday marketing touchpoints that extend into the new year.
When clients hang your calendar or use your branded notepad, they’re seeing your name well into spring, long after other brands have gone quiet.
Related Blog: Notepad Marketing: Small Prints That Make a Big Impression
The Print Checklist, Simplified
Here’s your quick-reference version to review before the rush:
| ✅ Print Material | 📦 Why It Matters | 📅 When to Order |
| Calendars | Year-round visibility | Late Oct–Early Nov |
| Greeting Cards | Build relationships | October |
| Envelopes & Labels | Polished delivery | With cards |
| Thank-You Cards | Post-purchase retention | November |
| Wrapping Paper | Seasonal branding | October |
| Business Cards / Flyers | Q1 preparation | November |
| Notepads | Everyday visibility | November |
Related Blog: Holiday Marketing Starts Now: Why Smart Businesses Print in October
Avoid the December Scramble
Every year, business owners say the same thing:
“Next time, I’ll print earlier.”
This is that next time.
Get your designs finalized, review your mailing lists, and place your print orders now — before shipping delays and sold-out finishes take your best ideas off the table.
Because when your brand shows up early, polished, and prepared, customers notice.
And when everyone else is just starting to panic in December, you’ll already be celebrating results.
