Summer is here which means longer days . . . and well-deserved breaks from work for the team!
However, during the holiday season it’s important to remember that business doesn’t stop, but it often slows down. For SMEs, those quieter weeks can be a double-edged sword: fewer people in the office but still the same need for marketing, print, admin and customer communications to keep things moving. The good news is that with a bit of forward planning, especially around print and branded materials, you can keep operations smooth without last-minute scrambling.
Here are some practical time-saving tips to help SMEs stay organised when the team is away.
Plan your pring needs ahead of the holiday season
One of the biggest time drains during holiday periods is realising too late that you’ve run out of essential printed materials. Whether it’s business cards, brochures, invoices or event flyers, running low during reduced staffing levels can quickly become stressful.
The solution is to plan ahead. Review your upcoming calendar and identify what printed materials will be needed over the next 4–6 weeks or as you go into the busy event season in September. If you’re working with a print management partner, they can help forecast usage and ensure stock levels are maintained so you’re never caught short.
Batch your print orders to save time
Instead of ordering items individually as needs arise, group everything together into a single print run. This reduces admin time, minimises back-and-forth approvals and often lowers costs through economies of scale.
For example, combine reprints of stationery with updated marketing collateral or seasonal promotional materials. A consolidated approach means fewer interruptions while your team is operating with reduced capacity.
Pre-approve artwork and templates
Holiday periods are not the time for complex design approvals. One of the most effective ways to save time is to create artwork designs and templates in advance.
This means ensuring your core branded items such as letterheads, presentation folders, flyers and branded merchandise are pre-approved and stored in an accessible format. That way, anyone covering during absences can reorder or reprint without needing design sign-off delays from other members of the team.
A print management partner can also store your approved artwork centrally ensuring consistency and eliminating version control issues.
Automate reordering where possible
Many SMEs still rely on manual ordering processes which can become chaotic when some of the team are away. Setting up automated reorder points for frequently used items can dramatically reduce stress.
For example, set thresholds for office essentials or marketing stock so that orders are triggered before supplies run out. This ensures continuity without requiring constant monitoring.
Use branded merchandise strategically
Summer is often packed with events, exhibitions and client engagements. Rather than scrambling for giveaways or promotional items (which often have longer lead times) at the last minute, plan your branded merchandise early.
Pre-ordering items such as tote bags, pens or eco-friendly merchandise ensures you’re always prepared for networking opportunities, even when key team members are on leave.
Outsource print management for peace of mind
Perhaps the biggest time-saving tip of all is to remove the burden entirely. Outsourced print management gives SMEs a single point of contact for all print, storage and fulfilment needs. It reduces internal admin, ensures faster turnaround times and guarantees brand consistency across all materials.
Instead of juggling suppliers, approvals and deadlines internally, your team can focus on higher-value work even during holiday periods. This is of course where we come in.
Final thought
The holiday season doesn’t need to mean an operational slowdown. With smart planning, streamlined ordering and the right print support in place, SMEs can stay productive, consistent and stress-free even when half the team is out of the office, enjoying a well-earned rest.
If you would like support getting your print summer ready, get in touch to book a free discovery call.
