The line between a record-breaking holiday and a chaotic, stressful scramble often comes down to one thing: a smart timeline.
Waiting until December to order your marketing materials is too late. The "early" planning phase is over. We are now in the "execute" phase. As your local print partner, AlphaGraphics Downtown Boston is here to help you navigate the rush. Here is your actionable, 4-point timeline for what to order and when, starting today. Contact our local print shop today.
ORDER First Week of November: Your High-Visibility Banners
What to order: Your big, bold, outdoor holiday sale banners and window graphics.
Why now: This is your first and most important impression. Your storefront needs to scream "Holiday savings start here!" to every person walking by. These large-format items are your 24/7, silent salespeople. Ordering them now ensures you have time for professional design, printing, and installation well before the Black Friday rush. By the time Thanksgiving week arrives, your banners should be up, capturing all that early foot traffic.
ORDER First Week of November: Your Direct Mail Campaign
What to order: Your holiday postcards and "save the date" mailers.
Why now: Direct mail marketing is one of the most powerful tools in your holiday arsenal because it cuts through the digital noise. But it requires lead time. You need to factor in design, printing, list acquisition, and—most importantly—time for the post office to deliver. To have your holiday postcards land in customers' homes before the Black Friday/Cyber Monday madness, you must act this week. A well-timed postcard with a compelling offer is the single best way to drive in-store and online traffic for the biggest shopping weekend of the year.
ORDER BY MID-NOVEMBER: Your In-Store Experience
What to order: Indoor promotional banners, point-of-sale (POS) displays, gift card carriers, and flyers.
Why now: Once your outdoor banners get them in the door, your in-store materials take over to guide the sale. This is about maximizing your Average Order Value (AOV).
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Promotional Banners: Use retractable or hanging banners to create a "Gift Guide" section or highlight your biggest deals.
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Flyers: These are your versatile workhorses. Have a stack of flyers at the register promoting a "bounce-back" coupon for January, or use them as bag stuffers.
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POS Displays: These small signs are crucial for selling your most profitable item: gift cards. A simple, professionally printed display at your checkout is a silent, effective upsell tool.
Ordering these by mid-November ensures your store is fully "dressed" and ready for its peak traffic.
ORDER BY EARLY DECEMBER: Your Last-Minute & Loyalty Push
What to order: "Last-Minute Sale" banners and branded customer appreciation holiday cards.
Why now: There will always be a final, frantic rush of last-minute shoppers. You can capture them with a fresh, urgent holiday sale banner that goes up around December 15th. This is also your last call for relationship-building. Sending a high-quality, branded holiday card to your top clients or loyal customers cuts through the clutter of year-end emails. It’s a powerful, tangible way to say "thank you" and build the loyalty that will carry you into 2026.
Your Downtown Boston Partner is Ready
The holiday timeline is tight, but it's not too late. You don't have to juggle five different online vendors, hope your colors match, and pray everything arrives on time.
As your full-service print marketing partner right here in Downtown Boston, we can manage all of it for you under one roof. We’ll ensure your brand is consistent, your quality is premium, and your deadlines are met.
Stop by AlphaGraphics Downtown Boston today, and let's get your holiday orders in. A stress-free, successful season starts with a plan, and that plan starts now.