September 30, 2026
When Should You Order Holiday Cards? A Timeline for Planning, Printing and Mailing
If holiday cards are on your list this year, the best time to start is before you feel rushed. There is no single order-by date that works for every project. Instead, choose when you want your cards to arrive and work backward through mailing, addressing, printing, proof approval and design.
That approach gives you room to make decisions without turning every step into a deadline. It also matters because a custom card can involve more than printing alone. PostNet offers design help, printing, multiple card stocks and finishes, and assistance sending greeting cards, so the exact timeline can depend on the choices you make for your project.
Quick answer: Start with the date you want your cards to arrive. Then work backward to allow time for mailing, addressing and assembly, printing, proof approval, and design. If you are using custom finishes, need design assistance, or have a large recipient list, build in additional flexibility and confirm the production schedule with your local PostNet center.
Think of your holiday card project as five steps. The dates will be different for every project, but the order stays the same.
Start with the recipient. Decide whether you want your cards to arrive well before a specific holiday, closer to the holiday itself, or around the New Year. Once you have an arrival date in mind, you can plan the rest of the project backward from it.
Mail transit time depends on the service you use, where the cards are going and current carrier conditions. Holiday schedules can also affect delivery. Before setting your mail date, check the current service standards and holiday guidance from the carrier you plan to use. USPS lists Christmas Day as a postal holiday in 2026.
Before cards can go into the mail, your recipient list needs to be ready and the envelopes need to be addressed, stuffed and prepared. If someone else is helping with that work, confirm what recipient data and file format they need before your cards are printed.
Card size, quantity, paper and finishing choices can affect how a project is produced. PostNet offers matte and glossy card stocks, specialty stocks including linen, pearl metallic and recycled options, and finishing options such as silk lamination, spot UV and foil for invitations and greeting cards. Ask your local center to confirm the production schedule for the specific options you choose.
If your card still needs a design, photo selection, copywriting or revisions, account for that before production begins. PostNet can assist with greeting-card design, including holiday cards.
A planning worksheet is more useful than a universal “order by” date because it can be adjusted to your project. Start with your arrival date at the top and work down to the date your design needs to begin:
| Milestone | Your Date | What to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Desired arrival date | __________ | When do you want recipients to have the card? |
| Mail date | __________ | Check the current carrier service guidance for your destination and mail class. |
| Addressing + assembly complete | __________ | Is the recipient list final? Who is addressing, stuffing and preparing the cards? |
| Printing complete | __________ | Confirm the production schedule with your local PostNet center. |
| Proof approved | __________ | Are the names, message, photos, addresses and design final? |
| Design begins | __________ | Do you already have artwork, or will you need design help? |
The more decisions that still need to be made, the more room you should leave in your schedule. These are useful questions to answer early:
PostNet offers multiple greeting-card sizes, stocks and finishes and can help customers design, print and send cards. Those options make customization possible, but the appropriate production schedule should be confirmed for the individual project rather than assumed nationally.
Do not assume it is too late. First, simplify the decisions you can control. Use a design that can be approved quickly, finalize your recipient list, and ask what card and finishing options are practical for your timing. Then confirm both the print schedule and the mailing plan before committing to an arrival date.
If a December arrival no longer makes sense, a New Year greeting can also be considered as an alternative holiday-card occasion. PostNet can help you tailor your message and timing to hit that timeline.
Yes. PostNet can help customers design, print and send greeting cards, including cards for the holidays. Services and production timing can vary by location and project, so confirm the details with your local center before setting your final schedule.
The best holiday-card deadline is the one you build backward from your own arrival goal. Decide when you want the cards in recipients’ hands, verify the mailing timeline, and leave enough room for addressing, printing, proofing and design. The earlier you make the decisions that require your input (your recipient list, photos, message and design), the more flexibility you leave for everything that follows.
All PostNet locations are independently owned and operated. Design, printing and mailing services and production times may vary by location.
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