The holiday season isn’t just a festive moment—it’s one of the most strategic windows of the year for businesses, creators, and event planners. Whether you're designing greeting cards, postcards, wall calendars, menus, catalogs, or branded gifts, smart design can make the difference between something that gets ignored… and something that gets remembered, kept, and even displayed.

At Lauprint, we work with brands across Canada and the U.S. that want to elevate their print presence during the holidays. These design principles will help you create seasonal pieces that feel intentional, premium, and impossible to overlook.

1. Start With a Clear Purpose (Before You Start Designing)

Every holiday print piece has a goal—boost sales, thank customers, promote an event, drive loyalty, or simply spread joy. Before choosing colors, fonts, or finishes, ask:

- What emotion do I want to evoke?

- What action should the user take after seeing this?

- Is this piece meant to be informational, promotional, or inspirational?

The more clarity you have, the easier it becomes to design something cohesive and effective.

2. Choose the Right Color Palette for the Season

Holiday design doesn’t mean using the same red-and-green palette year after year. Modern brands have more options:

- Deep emerald + champagne gold for luxury brands.

- Soft cream + warm terracotta for cozy, minimal holiday vibes.

- Blue + silver for winter themes that avoid Christmas-specific tones.

- Forest green + matte black for bold, masculine energy.

- Pastel palettes for baby products or modern, playful brands.

Using a signature holiday palette reinforces brand identity and boosts recall.

3. Use Fonts That Feel Festive, Yet Professional

Typography sets the tone. While script fonts can feel celebratory, too many can make your design look cluttered or childish.

Holiday font rules to follow:

- Use one expressive font (script, decorative, or seasonal).

- Pair it with a clean, readable typeface like Poppins, Helvetica, or Arial.

- Ensure headers and subheaders contrast clearly.

- Keep body text simple and legible—especially for postcards and greeting cards.

Readable design is professional design.

4. Add Texture and Finishes to Elevate Your Holiday Print

Nothing says premium like finishes that catch the light or add a tactile surprise. Some of the most powerful techniques include:

- Raised Metallic Foil (gold, silver, rose gold, holographic).

- Raised Spot UV for glossy accents.

- Soft-touch laminate for a velvety feel.

- Matte coating for a muted, elevated finish.

- Gloss coating for vibrant, energetic designs.

Finishes don’t just make prints look expensive—they make them feel memorable. And people keep what feels special.

5. Leave Breathing Room (Holiday Designs Get Busy Fast)

Holiday graphics tend to feature ornaments, snowflakes, stars, ribbons, foliage, or patterns. But too many elements can overwhelm your message.

A good rule:

If everything is highlighted, nothing stands out.

Use whitespace strategically so important elements—your logo, your message, or your offer—can shine.

6. Make Your Brand Impossible to Miss

During the holiday season, people receive a flood of prints—cards, flyers, menus, invitations, promos. To stand out:

- Keep your logo present but balanced.

- Use your brand colors or typography somewhere in the design.

- Add a tagline, mission statement, or signature accent that makes the print feel distinctly “you.”

Holiday spirit is important, but brand consistency is what drives long-term results.

7. Use High-Resolution Images (This Is Non-Negotiable)

Nothing ruins a beautiful holiday design like pixelation or blurry graphics.
Always use:

- 300 DPI images.

- Vector graphics whenever possible.

- CMYK color mode instead of RGB.

This ensures crisp prints—whether you're designing a postcard or a full-size wall calendar.

8. Tailor Your Design to the Product You’re Creating

Each print format has its own best practices:

Greeting Cards:

Keep the message intentional. Add texture or foil to boost emotional impact.

 

Postcards:

Use bold visuals and clear calls to action.

 

Calendars:

Think of functional beauty: clean layouts and high-quality photography.

 

Gift Certificates:

Use premium finishes to elevate perceived value.

 

Door Hangers & Flyers:

Make the top headline unmissable—people skim fast.

 

And remember: Lauprint offers specialty finishes that can turn even a simple design into a standout holiday piece.

9. Keep Messaging Short, Smart, and Human

Holiday messaging performs best when it feels warm and authentic. Aim for:

- Short and memorable lines

- Genuine appreciation

- Clear intent (thank you, invitation, promotion, etc.)

Examples:

- “Warm wishes from our team to yours.”

- “A year full of growth—thanks to you.”

- “Celebrate the season with something made just for you.”

Human language outperforms corporate language every time.

10. Start Early (Holiday Printing Moves Fast!)

The earlier you prepare your designs, the smoother your season will be.
Design now → Print early → Ship without stress.

Brands that plan ahead save money, avoid delays, and secure the best turnaround options.

Final Thoughts: Holiday Design That Makes an Impact

Holiday prints are an opportunity—not just to spread festive cheer, but to strengthen relationships with customers, celebrate your brand, and create memorable experiences that last well beyond December.

At Lauprint, we help businesses elevate their holiday presence with premium printing, specialty finishes, and fast turnaround across Canada and the United States.

👉 Ready to design holiday prints that truly stand out? Explore all our premium print solutions at Lauprint.com

Let your holiday message shine. We'll handle the rest!