Christmas printing in Hertfordshire gets busy from mid-November, and the businesses that brief early get the stock, finish and delivery date they want. This guide sets out what to order, how long each item takes and the last date to brief us for delivery before the break.
Use the planner below to search for an item or jump to a section. Each table shows the options, the time to allow and the order-by date.
How the Christmas print deadlines work
Every date counts back from Friday 18 December 2026, our last delivery day before Christmas. The time shown covers design and print together, from a clear brief to finished items at your door.
- Brief us with the content ready. Names, messages, logos and quantities. The clock starts when we have everything we need.
- Approve proofs the same day. A proof that waits a day adds a day to delivery.
- Allow for what happens next. Cards need signing and posting, gifts need wrapping, and calendars need to land before people break up.
Christmas print planner 2026
Every item, every order-by date
Search for an item, or jump to a section.
These are the last safe dates. They assume delivery by Friday 18 December 2026 and proofs approved the same day. Brief us earlier and you have more choice of stock, finish and delivery slot.
Christmas cards
Order by Friday 4 December to leave a week for signing and posting.
Order-by dates5 options
Last date to brief us for delivery by Friday 18 December.
| Item | Order by |
|---|---|
| Folded cards | Fri 4 December (allow 4 to 5 working days) |
| Foil and spot UV cards | Fri 4 December (allow 4 to 5 working days) |
| Kraft and uncoated cards | Fri 4 December (allow 4 to 5 working days) |
| Recycled cards | Fri 4 December (allow 4 to 5 working days) |
| Team and department packs | Fri 4 December (allow 4 to 5 working days) |
Business Christmas cards5 options
Printed, folded and supplied with envelopes.
| Item | What you can choose |
|---|---|
| Folded cards | A6, A5 or 148mm square, with a long edge, short edge or tent fold |
| Foil and spot UV cards | Gold or silver foil, or spot UV, on 350gsm silk |
| Kraft and uncoated cards | Natural, textured stocks that are easy to write on |
| Recycled cards | 350gsm FSC certified recycled board with a recyclable C5 envelope |
| Team and department packs | Up to 10 designs in one order, so each team can have its own |
Gifts and packaging
Lead times depend on the product, so these need the earliest brief.
Order-by dates7 items
Last date to brief us for delivery by Friday 18 December.
| Item | Order by |
|---|---|
| Advent calendars | Fri 6 November (lead time depends on product) |
| Branded merchandise | Fri 13 November (lead time depends on product) |
| Gift and mug boxes | Fri 13 November (lead time depends on product) |
| Wooden tags | Fri 13 November (lead time depends on product) |
| Christmas crackers | Fri 20 November (lead time depends on product) |
| Gift tags | Fri 20 November (lead time depends on product) |
| Wrapping paper | Fri 20 November (lead time depends on product) |
Branded gifting7 items
Client and staff gifts, and the packaging that presents them.
| Item | What you can choose |
|---|---|
| Advent calendars | Printed on 400gsm silk with your design or photography |
| Branded merchandise | Mugs, notebooks, pens and other branded items |
| Gift and mug boxes | Printed boxes that present a client gift properly |
| Wooden tags | Festive tags that double as tree decorations |
| Christmas crackers | Branded crackers supplied flat, ready for you to fill |
| Gift tags | 55 x 85mm, four stocks, with a hole for string or ribbon |
| Wrapping paper | Branded sheets up to 700 x 500mm, supplied flat, folded or rolled |
Events and promotion
For Christmas parties, open evenings, markets and shop windows.
Order-by dates7 items
Last date to brief us for delivery by Friday 18 December.
| Item | Order by |
|---|---|
| Party invitations | Fri 13 November (allow 4 to 5 working days) |
| Leaflets and flyers | Fri 11 December (allow 4 to 5 working days) |
| Menus and table cards | Fri 11 December (allow 4 to 5 working days) |
| Gift vouchers | Fri 11 December (allow 4 to 5 working days) |
| Posters | Wed 9 December (allow 4 to 7 working days) |
| Roller banners | Wed 9 December (allow 4 to 7 working days) |
| Banners and window graphics | Wed 9 December (allow 4 to 7 working days) |
Event and promotional print7 items
Everything that tells people what is on and where.
| Item | What you can choose |
|---|---|
| Party invitations | Printed invitations that give guests proper notice |
| Leaflets and flyers | A6 to A4, flat or folded |
| Menus and table cards | For Christmas lunches, parties and events |
| Gift vouchers | DL or A6, ready to sell or give |
| Posters | A3 to A0 for windows, receptions and noticeboards |
| Roller banners | Freestanding banners for events and reception areas |
| Banners and window graphics | Outdoor banners and window vinyls in your Christmas look |
Planning ahead for 2027
Calendars and planners take two to three weeks, so they come first.
Order-by dates3 items
Last date to brief us for delivery by Friday 18 December.
| Item | Order by |
|---|---|
| Wall calendars | Fri 20 November (allow 2 to 3 weeks) |
| Desk calendars | Fri 20 November (allow 2 to 3 weeks) |
| Desk pads and planners | Fri 20 November (allow 2 to 3 weeks) |
Calendars and planners3 items
Gifts that keep your name on a client's desk all year.
| Item | What you can choose |
|---|---|
| Wall calendars | 12 months of your own photography or artwork |
| Desk calendars | Freestanding calendars that sit beside the keyboard |
| Desk pads and planners | Branded pads and year planners for 2027 |
Three ways to make Christmas print easier
Brief cards, gifts and calendars together
One brief, one proof round and one delivery saves time in the busiest weeks of the year. It also means the 2027 calendar is ready before the Christmas cards go out.
Plan for posting, not just printing
Cards delivered on 18 December will not reach clients by Christmas if they still need signing. Check Royal Mail’s last recommended posting dates and work back from those.
Keep the brand consistent across the set
Cards, tags, wrap and gift boxes are often bought from different places, and the colours rarely match. Briefing them as one set keeps fonts, colours and logo use the same on every piece.
What this means for you
We handle Christmas print from design to delivery, so you have one point of contact and one invoice for cards, gifts and event print. We have worked in print since 1988, from Sópers House in Cuffley, for businesses across Hertfordshire, London and the south-east. Tell us what you need and when, and we will plan the dates back from there.
FAQs and quick answers
When should I order Christmas cards for my business?
Brief us by Friday 4 December 2026 for delivery by Friday 11 December. Design and print take four to five working days, and the extra week gives you time to sign and post them.
What is the last date for Christmas printing in Hertfordshire?
For delivery by Friday 18 December 2026, order leaflets, flyers and menus by Friday 11 December, and banners and posters by Wednesday 9 December. After that, ask us: express turnaround may be possible, and express charges can apply.
How long do 2027 calendars take to print?
Allow two to three weeks for design and print. Brief us by Friday 20 November to have them before Christmas.
Can you print recycled Christmas cards?
Yes. We print on 350gsm FSC certified recycled board, supplied with a recyclable C5 envelope.
When should I order branded Christmas gifts?
As early as possible, because lead times depend on the product. We recommend briefing us by Friday 13 November for merchandise and gift boxes, and by Friday 6 November for advent calendars.
What else do people ask about Christmas print?
- Card sizes: A6, A5 and 148mm square.
- Finishes: gold or silver foil, spot UV, single or double-sided print.
- Artwork: send a print-ready PDF, or we design it for you.
- Delivery: to one address or split across your sites.
