Why print still matters for an opening
A new storefront has one shot at a first impression, and most of the people who will ever walk in live within a few miles. Print is how you reach them before you have reviews, followers or search history. A neighborhood mailer lands in every mailbox on a route, a banner tells drivers you exist, and a card or punch card in a customer's wallet keeps you in mind after the ribbon is cut. The trick is timing: order too late and you pay for rush or open with blank walls; order too early and the date slips after everything is printed. The schedule below works backward from opening day so each piece arrives with room to spare and nothing needs a rush fee.
What to print, with real prices
| Item | Quantity | Price (All-In) | Job it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDDM neighborhood mailer | 1 USPS route (~400–800 homes) | from $398 | Announces the opening to every address |
| Vinyl banner, 13oz | 3×8 ft | $89 | “Now Open” on the building |
| Yard signs 18×24, double-sided | 5 with stakes | $109 | Arrows at corners and the parking lot |
| Business cards 16PT | 250 | $44.95 | Counter, register, every bag |
| Loyalty punch cards | 500 | $54.99 | Turns first visits into repeat visits |
| Flyers 8.5×11 | 250 | $129 | Neighbor businesses, community boards |
| Postcards 4×6 | 500 | $109 | Opening-week offer handed out in person |
Week by week: 4 weeks out to opening day
Four weeks out: lock the opening date and the offer, then order the EDDM mailer. It needs the most lead time because it goes through proof, 2–4 business days of production, mailing prep and USPS delivery. Aim for it to land 5–10 days before you open. Three weeks out: order the banner, yard signs and staff shirts if you want them (full-color tees run about $17.88 each at 12). Two weeks out: order business cards, punch cards, flyers and any opening-week postcards. One week out: hang the banner, walk flyers to neighboring businesses and put cards by the register. Opening day: stake yard signs at the nearest intersections, hand a punch card with every purchase and stamp it on the spot. Ordering on this schedule means standard production covers everything and rush fees stay at zero.
Use EDDM to announce the opening
Every Door Direct Mail is built for this moment. Instead of buying a mailing list, you pick USPS carrier routes around the shop and a postcard goes to every address on them, homes and businesses alike, using the EDDM indicia instead of names. A route covers roughly 400–800 homes, and we print and mail it for you starting at $398 per route, with printing and mailing prep included. Keep the card simple: the name, a big “Grand Opening” with the date, the address with a landmark, and one reason to come in the first week, like a free item or a percentage off. Add a QR code to a map or the menu. One or two routes closest to the door usually outperform a wider, thinner spread.
Banner, cards and punch cards: the in-person trio
The banner does the heavy lifting before and after the mailer lands. A 3×8 ft banner at $89 reads from the street; go with a short message like “Grand Opening Saturday” and swap to “Now Open” later, or skip the date entirely so it works for months. Business cards ($44.95 for 250) should sit at the register and go in every bag; first customers often become referral sources. Punch cards ($54.99 for 500, with a writable matte back) are the most underrated opening item: a “buy 9, get the 10th free” card handed out on day one gives every new visitor a reason to return during the weeks when the opening buzz fades. Every order gets a free file check and a free digital proof, and nothing is charged until you approve it.
All-in pricing. Free proof. No checkout surprises.
Build your opening kit in one sentence — EDDM from $398/route, banners from $59, proof first.
Build your opening kit in one sentence — EDDM from $398/route, banners from $59, proof first. ⚡ Or build a full kitFrequently asked questions
How far in advance should I order grand opening printing?
Start about four weeks before opening day. Order the EDDM mailer first because it needs production plus USPS delivery time, then banners and signs at three weeks and cards at two weeks. That schedule keeps everything on standard 2–4 business day production with no rush fees.
What should I print for a grand opening?
The core kit is a neighborhood mailer to announce it, a vinyl banner and yard signs to point people in, and business cards plus loyalty punch cards at the counter. Flyers for neighboring businesses and an opening-week offer postcard are useful extras.
How much does grand opening printing cost?
A basic kit of one EDDM route (from $398), a 3×8 ft banner ($89), 250 business cards ($44.95) and 500 punch cards ($54.99) comes to about $587 all-in. Shipping is included and you approve a free proof before anything is charged.
When should grand opening mailers arrive?
Aim for postcards to land about 5–10 days before you open. That is close enough that people remember the date and early enough to plan a visit. Ordering about four weeks out leaves room for proofing, production and mail delivery.
Should I put the date on my grand opening banner?
Only if the date is locked. A banner that just says “Now Open” or “Grand Opening” works for months and survives a delayed opening, while a dated banner becomes outdated the day after.