What are the opportunities for seasonal print?

While Christmas may be a thing of a past for another 10 months or so, printers will now be seeking opportunities around other major events. Rob Fletcher looks at the wider market and consider where print companies might look for their next seasonal project.

to seasonal print work. Be it wrapping paper, Christmas cards, decorations or personalised gifts, get it right in the festive season and this could set you up for a successful New Year.

On the subject of other celebrations, Christmas is by no means the be-all and end-all when it comes to seasonal print work. In fact, seasonal projects may not be limited to single events, with certain periods during the year offering all manner of opportunities to printers.

Here, we cast an eye over seasonal work prospects for print companies, flagging up some of the work that may offer printers some food for thought in 2025 and beyond.

Window shopping

Keeping with the Christmas theme for the time being, Maryland-based Capital INK Branding Solutions partnered with iconic US retail chain Macy’s to create a set of colourful window graphics for the festive season.

Caption: Capital INK Branding Solutions produced festive window graphics for Macy’s

Capital INK was tasked with producing and installing window borders and vinyl accents around the Macy’s retail store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The concept was not new for Capital INK, with the company having worked with the Philadelphia location on similar projects in previous years.

“I initially received a call to repair some damaged material at the Philadelphia location and have stayed involved with the Macy’s team ever since then,” Capital INK’s national sales director Dave Heit said.

For the most recent project, Capital INK worked with Drytac’s SpotOn White M50, using its Canon Colorado 1650 to print the design onto the Drytac film before its specialist team installed the pieces on location at the Macy’s store.

Key to this project was how the graphics were printed. Capital INK used both a first surface technique, where graphics are printed on the front of a material facing outwards, and second surface, which sees images printed on the back of a clear material and applied to face outwards.

“All the graphics were to be produced second surface and installed from the interior but two of the windows have a permanent, black border already installed second surface,” Heit said, “So, for these two windows, we were asked to install the graphics first surface.

“The client was extremely pleased we found an adhesive product that worked for these windows. They were also happy with the end results of the installation and our commitment to providing the highest level of service and responsiveness.

“Furthermore, they liked the look of the first surface graphics so much more than the second surface graphics that they decided moving forward, all their holiday window applications will be first surface applications.”

Match made in heaven

It may seem some way off at present, but the warmth of summer will soon be here, and with it the traditional season for weddings, with many couple waiting for fairer weather to say their vows and capture those all-important photos.

Weddings bring with them plenty of opportunities for printers, with Montreal-based signage and vinyl graphics business TrimSign Graphics recently undertaking a rather unique project in this area. The company printed and installed a custom piece that served as the surface for a dancefloor and dining and seating area of a wedding that took place in a field.

Caption: TrimSign Graphics in Montreal produced custom graphics for use at a wedding.

Three large platforms and tents were built in the field, with TrimSign producing the graphics for the main dining area and dance floor, covering an area of over 10,000sq ft. TrimSign also created graphics for part of the wall within the dance area and a ‘nightclub’ platform area. It used Drytac’s FloorTac Textures one-step polymeric floor graphic media for the project, with all graphics printed in house on an HP Latex 360.

“Despite the challenges of the surface, the material remained in place throughout the evening,” said Ian Dreihaupl, president of TrimSign. “The client was very pleased with the job; it was challenging but also satisfying to accomplish.

“Other than issues with the actual design and how we received it, production was relatively easy, with us only having to trim down the edges of the graphic, cut to usable lengths and organise into a logical manner for our installer to do.”

Client collaboration is key

While we may be short of major, international sporting events in 2025 – compared to last year when we had both Euro 2024 and the Olympics to enjoy – plenty of other events are taking place, bringing with them opportunities for print.

Caption: Moss used more than 1,300sq m of materials to transform Tobacco Dock for a Google Takeover event

UK-based Moss is very much in tune with this, working its clients to support them with their seasonal events throughout the year. Over the past 12 months, it has been partnering with London’s historic Tobacco Dock, delivering graphics and branding for a variety of high-profile events, with 37 projects to its name at the time of writing.

Offering advice on this sort of approach to seasonal work, Moss project manager Charlotte Bell said the collaborative ethos extends beyond delivering quality products, to creating a seamless client experience. She said: “There’s a constant dialogue with clients from the moment they book the event space, and we adjust workflows to support their needs as effectively as possible. Our goal is to make their experience straightforward and stress-free.”

A stand-out project for Moss in 2024 was the Google Takeover event at Tobacco Dock, which saw the company transform the venue with more than 1,300sq m of materials including vinyls, freestanding graphics, and lamp post flags.

Account director Andrew Conway added: “We use our wide range of fabric systems and print techniques to reflect each client’s brand within this unique space. Each project is like a jigsaw, where every piece needs to fit into this iconic venue.”

While of course Christmas is the obvious event that comes to mind when talking about seasonal print, the fact is that there are so many more opportunities available to print companies. Cast your minds further, speak to clients and consider exploring new and innovative ways to take advantage of demand seasonal-themed work.

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