Black Friday & Small Business Saturday: POD Sales Guide + Product Ideas

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are two of the biggest opportunities of the year for independent creators and print-on-demand (POD) sellers.

These two days combine two types of shoppers who are perfect for small brands:

• Black Friday attracts bargain-hunters ready to buy now.
• Small Business Saturday draws shoppers who want to support local and independent makers.

With the right product mix, promotions, and messaging, you can turn this high-traffic weekend into one of your strongest sales periods of the year. Below, you’ll find practical product ideas, marketing angles, and strategies designed explicitly for POD sellers.

What to Sell for Black Friday (POD Ideas)

The holiday rush brings a surge in both personal spending and gift buying. Consumers are seeking unique, meaningful, and customizable items, precisely what POD sellers excel at. This is the perfect time to spotlight new designs, limited editions, and bundled offers.

Stickers: Sale-Season Must-Haves

Stickers are affordable, easy to ship, and perfect for both impulse buys and bundles. They work exceptionally well for cross-promotions and tiered offers.

Consider:

• “Support Small Shops” sticker sets
• Minimalist holiday icons
• Motivational quotes for planners
• Sticker mystery packs (a great high-margin item)

Pro tip: Offer exclusive Black Friday sticker bundles and utilize countdown timers on your store or website to create a sense of urgency.

Posters: Holiday Décor + Gift Trends

Wall art remains one of the best-selling POD categories during the holidays. Shoppers seek modern home décor that is both giftable and personal.

Trending poster ideas include:

• Modern holiday prints
• Wellness and motivational quotes for New Year prep
• Kitchen art (bread, cocktails, spices, coffee charts)
• Custom family name signs

Position your posters as “giftable home décor,” something that feels both personal and stylish.

Gift Wrap: Holiday Launch Peak

Gift wrap is one of the easiest and most effective seasonal releases for POD sellers. It’s a perfect blend of creativity and functionality, helping you reach both personal shoppers and small brands preparing their own holiday packaging.

Consider releasing:

• Modern festive prints
• Hanukkah patterns
• Neutral winter botanicals
• Children’s winter illustrations

To increase your average order value, bundle matching wrapping paper, sticker gift tags, and greeting cards into cohesive gift sets.

Table Runners: Festive Holiday Hosting

Table runners are a growing trend for POD sellers because they combine style with sustainability. They appeal to holiday hosts seeking décor that feels special yet reusable year after year.

Top-selling styles include:

• Winter greenery
• Cozy cottagecore winter themes
• Farmhouse buffalo plaid
• Custom monogram holiday runners

Emphasize the eco-friendly aspect by using table runners as an alternative to disposable décor.

Holiday Cards & Postcards

Holiday cards are a timeless seasonal product that lets customers personalize their celebrations. Offer both printed and digital options to capture a broader audience.

Best-selling styles:

• Custom family photo cards
• Hand-drawn holiday scenes
• Pet-themed holiday cards (a consistently strong niche)
• “Support small business” postcards

Providing printable versions can also help last-minute shoppers who miss shipping deadlines.

Marketing Tips for Black Friday & Small Business Saturday

Once your products are ready, it’s time to focus on your marketing approach. A well-timed campaign and authentic storytelling can make all the difference in how your brand performs over the weekend. Below are strategies to build anticipation, create urgency, and convert browsers into buyers.

1. Tease Early — Sell Hard Friday and Saturday

Don’t wait until Black Friday morning to announce your offers. Instead, build momentum the week before with:

• Countdown posts on social media
• Email teasers showing what’s coming
• VIP early access for your email subscribers

A few days of early visibility help prime your audience and boost conversion rates once the sale goes live.

2. Offer Limited-Edition Designs

Scarcity creates urgency. When shoppers know an item is only available for a short time, they’re more likely to buy immediately. Consider launching limited-edition holiday designs that are only available for a brief period, typically over the weekend.

3. Use Tiered Holiday Offers

Encourage larger cart sizes by offering simple, automatic incentives. A clear rewards table helps customers see exactly how close they are to earning more value:

Cart Value	Reward
$25	Free sticker set
$50	Free shipping
$75+	Bonus card pack or digital print

This structure helps move customers from smaller, single-item orders to larger, more profitable bundles.

4. Lean Into Authenticity for Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is built on connection and community. Shoppers are drawn to brands that feel genuine and personal.

Share your story and let your customers see the people behind your products. Post:

• Behind-the-scenes looks at your studio or creative process
• Family or team photos
• Short videos showing how your products are made or used

Examples include a quick demo on how to use your gift wrap, styling a table runner, or hanging a poster set.

Use messaging that reminds customers why their purchase matters. Phrases like “You’re supporting a real person, not a corporation” are powerful and relatable.

Promote Curated Gift Guides

Simplify the buying process with themed collections that help shoppers find the right gift fast. Gift guides not only drive traffic but also allow you to feature your products in multiple categories.

Consider creating guides for:

• Gifts for Teachers
• Gifts for Pet Parents
• Hostess Gifts
• Cozy Holiday Home Décor

These can be promoted via email, social media, and even your shop’s homepage as “ready-to-shop” categories.

Build a Holiday Email Sequence

Email remains one of the most effective ways to generate repeat traffic and sales during the holidays. Setting up a short, automated sequence ensures consistent engagement without extra manual effort.

A proven six-part email flow includes:

1. Collection Reveal
2. VIP Early Access
3. Black Friday Kickoff
4. Small Business Saturday Spotlight
5. Last-Minute Shipping Reminder
6. Digital-Product Promo (after shipping cutoff)

This sequence keeps your audience informed, builds urgency, and encourages action at every stage of the shopping cycle.

Final Thoughts

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are more than just sales days, they’re opportunities to build brand loyalty and connect with customers who genuinely want to support independent creators.

By offering thoughtfully designed products, creating urgency through limited releases, and utilizing authentic storytelling, you can transform this brief sales window into lasting momentum for your business.