Small Business Saturday 2026: A Print Marketing Checklist for Local Businesses

Small Business Saturday 2026 occurs on Saturday, November 28, 2026. Use the following dated checklist to order, approve, receive, and deploy print materials before the event and throughout the holiday shopping season.

The U.S. Small Business Administration confirms the 2026 observance date. Do not schedule every order for the final week. Allow time for artwork preparation, proof approval, production, shipping, and quantity corrections.

Small Business Saturday Print Checklist

1. Bulk Business Cards and Cheap Business Cards

Primary use: Counter stacks, customer handouts, referral cards, and giveaway bundles.

Order custom business cards for:

• Checkout counters
• Reception desks
• Gift bags
• Customer referral bundles
• Local partner locations
• Staff networking during holiday events

Use bulk business cards when cards will be distributed across several locations or included in high-volume customer packages. Use smaller quantities of cheap business cards when testing a new offer, event-specific message, or limited-time promotion.

Order fields:

• Size: 2" x 3.5" U.S. Standard (Recommended)
• Paper: 14 pt. Uncoated, 14 pt. Gloss, or 100 lb. Matte Cover
• Printed sides: Full Color Both Sides (Recommended)
• Quantity: 250, 500, 1,000, or more
• Artwork: Upload a print-ready file or request design assistance

Include the business name, phone number, website, address, operating hours, and one Small Business Saturday offer. Add a QR code only if it leads to a current, mobile-friendly page.

2. Custom Stickers Printing

Primary use: Bag seals, product packaging, and thank-you freebies.

Use custom stickers printing for:

• Sealing retail bags
• Closing tissue paper
• Branding boxes and envelopes
• Adding a branded freebie to customer orders
• Marking holiday bundles
• Reinforcing brand visibility after checkout

Select a simple design that remains readable at a small size. Use the logo, a short message, website address, or seasonal offer. Avoid placing essential details near the edge.

Available order considerations include:

• 60 lb. Gloss Label with UV Coating
• Circle, square, oval, rectangle, and other available shapes
• Multiple size options
• Optional rounded corners
• Quantity planning for both event day and December orders

Estimate usage before ordering. Calculate the number of expected transactions, then add an extra quantity for packaging mistakes, partner giveaways, and repeat holiday promotions.

3. Custom Car Magnets

Primary use: Owner or employee vehicles parked outside the business.

Use custom car magnets to identify the business when staff vehicles are parked near the storefront, event location, or overflow parking area.

Use a high-contrast layout with:

• Business name or logo
• Primary service or product category
• Phone number or website
• Short call to action
• Large, readable text

The available order form lists 30 mil High Energy Magnet material. A 12" x 18" rectangle is a recommended format for vehicle visibility. Confirm that the vehicle surface is clean, smooth, and suitable for a removable magnet before installation.

Do not use a car magnet to display a long promotion. Use the limited space for recognition and identification. Direct customers to the website or store for complete offer details.

4. Door Hangers Printing

Primary use: Neighborhood promotion during the week before November 28.

Schedule door hangers printing for nearby residential areas, apartment communities, and streets surrounding the business. Distribute door hangers during Saturday, November 21 through Friday, November 27.

Include:

• Small Business Saturday date
• Store address
• Opening and closing hours
• Main offer
• Parking or entrance instructions
• QR code or website
• Expiration date, if applicable

The available order form lists 4.25" x 11" as a recommended size, with 14 pt. Gloss Cover and full-color printing on both sides. Use the front for the offer and the back for directions, services, or a second promotion.

Check local rules before distributing materials. Do not place door hangers on properties that prohibit solicitation or marketing materials.

5. Business Flyer Printing

Primary use: In-store specials sheet, event handout, and checkout insert.

Use business flyer printing for a one-page summary of the Small Business Saturday offer. Place copies at checkout, near the entrance, beside featured products, and inside customer bags.

Use one flyer for one purpose. Suitable formats include:

• Event-day specials
• Product bundle pricing
• Service packages
• Gift card information
• Appointment information
• December return offer
• Store hours and contact details

The available order options include 5.5" x 8.5" (Recommended), multiple paper stocks, and full-color one- or two-sided printing. Use 100 lb. Gloss Cover or another premium stock when the flyer must remain in use throughout the holiday season.

Add a tracking method, such as:

• Printed coupon code
• Offer name
• QR code
• “Mention this flyer” instruction
• Dedicated event promotion code

Print enough for the counter, customer bags, partner locations, and the first weeks of December. Do not print a quantity based only on the expected sales volume for November 28.

6. Brochure Printing Services

Primary use: Menu books, service summaries, product guides, and gift-planning references.

Use brochure printing services when customers need more information than a flyer can provide. Brochures are suitable for businesses with multiple services, product categories, packages, menus, appointment options, or holiday ordering instructions.

Use brochure content for:

• Full service menus
• Product specifications
• Gift package details
• Appointment and booking information
• Catering or delivery options
• January services promoted during holiday purchases

The available brochure formats include:

• 8.5" x 11" (Recommended)
• 6" x 9"
• 8.5" x 14"
• 9" x 12"
• 11" x 17"

Available fold styles include half fold, tri-fold, and Z-fold. Use 100 lb. Gloss Book for a standard professional format or a thicker cover option for a more durable service book.

Keep each panel focused. Place the primary service or product category on the front panel. Put contact information, store hours, and ordering instructions in a consistent location.

7. Yard Signs Printing

Primary use: Sidewalk, parking lot, entrance, and nearby directional visibility.

Use yard signs printing to direct local traffic to the store and identify event-day parking or entrances.

Recommended sign messages include:

• “Shop Small Saturday, November 28”
• “Event Entrance”
• “Holiday Specials Inside”
• “Free Gift With Purchase”
• “Parking This Way”
• “Open Today”
• “Order Pickup”

The available yard sign options include:

• 18" x 24" rectangle (Recommended)
• 4 mm or 6 mm corrugated plastic
• Semi-gloss surface
• Full-color front or two-sided printing
• Multiple shapes
• Included compatible step stakes

Use six words or fewer for directional signs. Use large type and high contrast. Place signs where drivers and pedestrians have enough time to read them. Confirm local placement rules before installation.

Dated Order Timeline for November 28, 2026

Friday, October 2: Start the Checklist

• Confirm participation in Small Business Saturday.
• Set the event offer, store hours, and parking details.
• Estimate customer volume for November and December.
• List required quantities for every printed item.
• Confirm whether existing artwork is current.

Saturday, October 3–Friday, October 9: Prepare Artwork and Quantities

• Finalize logos, contact information, offer language, and QR codes.
• Create separate files for cards, stickers, magnets, door hangers, flyers, brochures, and signs.
• Select paper stocks, sizes, finishes, folds, and quantities.
• Request design assistance if artwork is not ready.
• Submit the primary order by Friday, October 9 when possible.

Use Business Card Central design services for business cards, flyers, brochures, door hangers, and yard signs that require new or updated artwork.

Saturday, October 10–Friday, October 16: Review Proofs

• Check spelling and phone numbers.
• Test every QR code.
• Verify dates, hours, prices, and expiration terms.
• Confirm that directional arrows point correctly.
• Review artwork at full size.
• Approve proofs only after completing the full content check.

Saturday, October 17–Friday, October 23: Confirm Production

• Confirm that all orders are in production.
• Verify shipping and delivery information.
• Order additional quantities if the first estimate is too low.
• Coordinate with local partners and neighborhood distribution teams.
• Confirm sign placement requirements.

Saturday, October 24–Friday, October 30: Complete Local Distribution Planning

• Finalize the door hanger route for the week before the event.
• Assign vehicles for custom car magnet placement.
• Identify sign locations around the store and parking area.
• Prepare counter displays for business cards, stickers, flyers, and brochures.
• Start communicating the offer to existing customers.

Saturday, October 31–Friday, November 6: Begin Promotion

• Place early materials at the counter and partner locations.
• Publish the event date and offer.
• Confirm inventory and staffing.
• Prepare a December follow-up offer for use on flyers, cards, or brochures.
• Order any remaining items that do not require complex artwork.

Saturday, November 7–Friday, November 13: Receive and Inspect

• Count every printed item.
• Inspect color, cuts, folds, coating, and print alignment.
• Separate materials by use case.
• Replace or correct damaged items before distribution.
• Store paper products in a dry, clean location.

Saturday, November 14–Friday, November 20: Prepare for Deployment

• Assemble giveaway bundles.
• Build counter stacks.
• Pack stickers with bags or packaging supplies.
• Prepare car magnets and vehicle assignments.
• Bundle door hangers by neighborhood.
• Prepare flyers and brochures for staff use.

Saturday, November 21–Friday, November 27: Deploy Materials

• Distribute door hangers in approved nearby areas.
• Install yard signs according to local rules.
• Place custom car magnets on approved vehicles.
• Set up counter displays and in-store flyer locations.
• Place brochures near high-interest products or service areas.
• Confirm all promotional language matches the advertised offer.

Saturday, November 28: Execute the Event

• Display the event-day offer at the entrance and checkout.
• Keep business cards, stickers, flyers, and brochures stocked.
• Monitor sign placement and replace moved materials.
• Track flyer codes, QR scans, customer requests, and new contacts.
• Refill materials throughout the day.

Order With the Full Holiday Season in Mind

Do not calculate quantities only for one Saturday. Estimate use through December 31 for:

• Counter cards
• Packaging stickers
• Referral bundles
• Service brochures
• Gift and product flyers
• Directional signs
• Partner-location handouts

Business Card Central provides fast turnaround, professional-grade materials, and competitive pricing for both small and bulk orders. Use the full product catalog to review available marketing materials for small business, or contact the team when a product requires an order request or custom specifications.