Every December, someone comes into your shop looking for a present. They'd love to treat their sister to a blow-dry, their dad to a fish supper or their best mate to a month at the gym. But you can't wrap a haircut, so they leave empty-handed and buy socks instead.
Printed gift vouchers fix that. They're one of the simplest things a local business can sell at Christmas, and one of the cheapest to get started with. Here's why they work, what to put on them and how to get them printed in time.
Why gift vouchers work so well for small businesses
- Money in the till in December. You're paid when the voucher is bought, often weeks before the service is used.
- Customers back in January. January is quiet for most local businesses. Vouchers bring people through the door just when you need them.
- New customers, recommended by old ones. Every voucher is a personal recommendation. The person who receives it may never have tried you before.
- They're easy to sell. A small stack by the till, a sign on the counter and a quick post on social media is often all it takes.
Which businesses should sell gift vouchers?
Almost any business that sells an experience, a treat or a service. The businesses we print the most vouchers for include:
- Hair and beauty salons, barbers and nail bars
- Cafés, restaurants, takeaways and chippies
- Gyms, personal trainers, yoga and fitness classes
- Gift shops, boutiques, garden centres and florists
- Physios, therapists and holistic practitioners
- Driving instructors, music teachers and activity providers
We recently printed numbered vouchers for The Barr Buoy fish and chip shop in Ballyhornan, in their own navy and gold, so customers could give a fish supper as a present. If a chippy can sell vouchers, so can you.
What to put on your gift voucher
A good voucher looks like part of your brand and leaves nothing to guess. Make sure yours includes:
- Your logo and colours, so it matches your shop, menu or website
- A value or a service, either a space to write an amount or a set treat such as "Coffee and cake for two"
- "To" and "From" lines, so it feels like a present
- A unique number (optional), if you'd like to track which vouchers have been sold and redeemed
- An expiry date, such as "Valid for 6 months from date of issue"
- Your address, phone number and social handles, so the person receiving it knows how to book
- Short terms on the back, for example "Not exchangeable for cash"
Don't have a design? Our studio can create one from your logo and email you a proof before anything is printed.
Sizes, finishes and prices
We print gift vouchers in two sizes, both in full colour on thick 300gsm card:
- DL gift vouchers (99 x 210mm), the classic long voucher that fits a standard business envelope
- C6 gift vouchers (105 x 148mm), a postcard-sized voucher that fits a C6 envelope or a greeting card
Choose single or double-sided printing, and matt lamination if you'd like a premium feel that stands up to being carried around in a purse or wallet.
| DL vouchers, single-sided | Not laminated | Laminated |
|---|---|---|
| 25 vouchers | £15 | £20 |
| 50 vouchers | £20 | £25 |
| 100 vouchers | £25 | £35 |
| 200 vouchers | £35 | £45 |
| 500 vouchers | £50 | £75 |
Double-sided and other quantities, up to 1,000, are priced on the product page.
Finish them off with envelopes. A voucher in a plain envelope is fine. A voucher in an envelope printed with your logo feels like a proper present. See our envelope printing, from £15.
How to sell more vouchers this Christmas
- Put them by the till. Customers buy what they can see. A small sign saying "Gift vouchers available" works wonders.
- Tell people on social media. Post a photo of your vouchers in November and again in the last two weeks before Christmas, when people are panicking about presents.
- Get your staff to mention them. "Did you know we do gift vouchers?" at the end of an appointment or with a receipt is the easiest sale you'll make.
- Offer set treats. "A wash and blow-dry" or "Sunday lunch for two" is easier to buy as a present than a cash amount.
- Keep a record. Note each voucher's value and the date sold (and its number, if you've had them numbered), so redeeming it in January is quick and simple.
When to order your vouchers
Gift vouchers sell from late November right up to Christmas Eve, so it pays to have them on the counter early. Artwork-ready orders take from 2 working days to print. If you'd like us to design them, allow a little longer for proofs and changes.
We recommend ordering by mid-November. Our last order date for Christmas printing is Thursday 10 December. You can find every date in our Christmas printing checklist.
Gift voucher questions
What's the minimum order?
25 vouchers, from £15.
Can you design my vouchers?
Yes. Send us your logo and the details you'd like on them, and we'll create a design and email you a proof.
Can each voucher have its own number?
Yes, numbering is available if you want it. It's handy for tracking which vouchers have been sold and redeemed, but plenty of businesses are happy without it. Just let us know when you order.
Which size should I choose?
DL is the classic voucher shape and fits a standard business envelope. C6 is a little smaller and squarer, and slips neatly into a Christmas card.
Can I collect them?
Yes, collection from our shop at 22 Irish Street, Downpatrick is free. We also deliver across the UK and Ireland.
Get your gift vouchers printed
Order DL or C6 gift vouchers online, call us on 028 4461 2225, or call into the shop at 22 Irish Street, Downpatrick, Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm. We've been printing for local businesses across County Down since 1990, and we'd love to help you get your vouchers on the counter in time for Christmas.