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Let’s talk about an important topic: Year-End Printing Purchases.
(Not financial or tax advice! Always consult your CPA.)
The final weeks of the year are the busiest—and most profitable—time to get your company’s print needs handled. Many businesses wait until December to purchase the items they know they’ll need next year so they can lock in tax deductions, clean up their books, and start January fully prepared.
At The Print Authority, we help companies across the counry—from Nashville to Atlanta, Memphis to Cincinnati, Louisville to Birmingham—get their year-end print orders completed quickly and correctly.
Here’s how to plan, calculate, and get this off your to-do list once and for all.
Why Year-End Printing Purchases Make Financial Sense
In many cases, business purchases are deductible in the tax year you pay for them. That means:
If you place your print order before December 31st, you may be able to deduct the expense this year—even if you use the materials next year.
(Ask your tax professional; this is not financial advice.)
This is why so many companies stock up on the items they already know they’ll need:
- Business cards
- Brochures and sales sheets
- Letterhead and envelopes
- Folders and presentation materials
- Training manuals and HR packets
- Uniform shirts and branded apparel
- Labels and packaging
- Marketing materials for Q1 events
- Franchise or multi-location inventory
If you know you’re going to use it, ordering now helps your books and your workflow.
Step 1: Review Your Printing Usage for the Year
Start by reviewing what you used this year:
- What ran out fastest?
- What are you guaranteed to run out of again?
- What did you scramble to reorder at the last minute?
- What do you already know you’ll need in January or February?
Most companies are surprised when they see their true printing patterns. For example, many of our clients in Nashville, Louisville, Memphis, Birmingham, and Atlanta reorder:
- Business cards every 2–3 months
- Apparel for new hires or seasonal staff
- Labels for shipping or internal inventory
- Brochures and handouts for trade shows
- Training packets for ongoing onboarding
If you know you’re going to need it, it often makes sense to order before year-end.
Step 2: Estimate How Much You May Want to Pre-Purchase
Again—this is not tax advice—but here’s a simple planning framework many businesses use to estimate print needs:
Last year’s spend × Expected business growth = Rough year-ahead print estimate
Example:
- If you spent $8,000 on print this year and you expect to grow by 15% next year:
- $8,000 × 1.15 = $9,200 projected print needs
Your CPA may suggest front-loading some of those purchases into this year to help reduce taxable income while ensuring you’re stocked for next year’s operations.
Step 3: Order the Materials You Know You Will Use
Once you have a rough estimate, focus on the items that are guaranteed to be used.
Popular year-end print purchases among companies in Nashville, Franklin, Memphis, Knoxville, Louisville, Birmingham, Huntsville, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Cincinnati include:
- Business cards – New hires, promotions, and updated contact info.
- Brochures and sales sheets – For Q1 conferences, networking, and sales visits.
- Custom apparel – Screen printed or embroidered work shirts, polos, hoodies, and jackets.
- Training manuals & HR packets – For onboarding new employees in the new year.
- Folders & presentation materials – Especially important for real estate, insurance, healthcare, and financial services.
- Labels, packaging, and branded shipping supplies – For ecommerce and product-based businesses.
If it’s part of how you operate, sell, or onboard, it’s a strong candidate for year-end purchasing.
Step 4: Plan Ahead for Q1 Marketing
The start of the year is often packed with activity:
- Trade shows and industry conferences
- Local business events and networking
- Fundraising campaigns
- New product or service launches
- Hiring waves and team training
Ordering ahead ensures you start strong while competitors are still catching up.
Year-end is also a great time to update or refresh:
- Outdated logos on print materials
- Old brochures or rack cards
- Uniform or custom shirts and branded apparel
- Menus, catalogs, or service lists
- Employee onboarding kits and manuals
A small refresh now can set the tone for a more polished and consistent year ahead.
Step 5: Place Orders Early (December Books Fill Quickly)
The Print Authority ships quickly to Nashville and surrounding areas, as well as Memphis, Knoxville, Louisville, Birmingham, Huntsville, Atlanta, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and beyond. December, however, is the busiest month of the year nationwide.
Ordering early helps ensure:
- Guaranteed turnaround times
- Room for proofing and revisions
- Shipping buffer for weather or carrier delays
- A stress-free year-end instead of a last-minute rush
Why The Print Authority Makes Year-End Easy
With more than 30 years of printing experience and national fulfillment, The Print Authority is a trusted partner for businesses throughout the Southeast and Midwest.
- Fast turnaround times
- Consistent color matching and quality control
- Bulk ordering options for multi-location companies
- Custom apparel (screen printing and embroidery)
- Helpful team to guide you through quantities and product choices
- Reliable shipping throughout our ideal zone and beyond
We help remove the stress from year-end purchasing so you can go into the new year organized and ready.
Get Your Year-End Print Order Started Today
Whether you need:
- 2,000 brochures
- 50 embroidered shirts
- A full restock of business cards
- Training packets for new staff
- Labels, packaging, or other branded materials
The Print Authority can help you get it ordered, printed, shipped, and on your shelves before year-end.
Contact The Print Authority today to lock in your year-end print needs and start the new year fully stocked and stress-free.
