Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday, 6 February, so shoppers start their festive buying in the first half of January — and your shopfront has to look ready before they arrive. The common mistake is ordering the Chinese New Year promotion banner and window stickers in mid-January along with everyone else, just as production queues lengthen and the holidays approach. This checklist covers what to print for a CNY retail push, from banners and stickers to cookie packaging, with a countdown that starts in early December. It is part of our festive marketing calendar.
The CNY 2027 countdown, starting in early December
| When | Weeks to CNY | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1–7 Dec | 9 | Decide the promotion; list what you will print; check last year's reusable pieces |
| 8–14 Dec | 8 | Measure windows and banner spots; brief artwork |
| 15–20 Dec | 7 | Approve final artwork; order banners, stickers and cookie boxes |
| 21 Dec–3 Jan | 5–6 | Buffer: Christmas and New Year slow production and couriers |
| 4–10 Jan | 4–5 | Receive, check and install stickers, bunting and banners |
| 11 Jan–5 Feb | 0–3 | Promotion live; top up packaging as orders come in |
| 20 Feb | after | Chap Goh Mei: take down, clean and store |
Window stickers: what shoppers see first
- Vinyl window stickers carry your festive graphics and offer. A matte laminate cuts glare on glass that catches the sun.
- Taking them down after Chap Goh Mei? A removable sticker peels off without leaving residue.
- Measure every panel, noting frames, door handles and push plates. Keep the main message at eye level and leave a clear view into the shop.
- Mall tenants: read your mall's tenant guidelines first — many require approval for shopfront graphics.
Our storefront window branding guide covers window layout in more depth.
The Chinese New Year promotion banner: size, wording and placement
- Material: a 280gsm budget PVC banner works indoors and out, along a five-foot way or across a shop fascia.
- Wording: one offer, big. "CNY Specials — Free Gift with Every Hamper" beats a list of six promotions. Keep the headline to seven words or fewer.
- Size: measure the space, then pick a standard size — our banner size guide explains reading distances.
- Placement: before hanging anything outside, check your local council's rules on banners in the five-foot way or on the building front.
- Hanging: order hem and eyelets, then tie off with cable ties so the banner stays taut through wind and afternoon storms. Our banner hanging guide compares the options.
- At the door: a free-standing 2×5ft bunting with pole and base stands at the entrance or along the five-foot way by day and moves inside at closing.
CNY cookie packaging and gift sets
Pineapple tarts, peanut cookies and love letters often sell in jars, but gift sets, assorted boxes and corporate orders sell better when buyers can see what's inside.
- Bakery window boxes — kraft pastry boxes with a clear window — show off the product and look giftable without extra printing.
- Line buttery cookies with greaseproof paper so oil doesn't stain the kraft.
- Brand with a seal: a round vinyl sticker on the lid carries your logo and greeting. For pre-packed food sold to the public, check the current food labelling requirements.
- Order boxes before baking peaks in January, and store them somewhere dry — humidity softens cardboard.
For more ideas, see branded packaging for small businesses.
Reuse undated pieces for several years
- Keep expensive items undated — no "2027", no goat. Red and gold, lanterns, plum blossom and a generic "Gong Xi Fa Cai" work every year.
- Put the year and zodiac on cheap extras, such as a small sticker or a counter card.
- Plan ahead for 2028: it is the Year of the Monkey and CNY falls in late January, so the whole countdown moves nearly two weeks earlier.
- Photograph this year's setup before you take it down, so next year's install takes minutes instead of an afternoon.
- Store carefully: roll banners rather than fold them, and dry the bunting print fully before packing it away.
Frequently asked questions
When should I put up CNY decorations in my shop? Many shops have décor up in the first half of January, around four weeks before 6 February. That means ordering by mid-December.
What size should a CNY promotion banner be? Measure your fascia or five-foot-way space first, then choose a standard size that fits with room to spare. The headline should be readable from across the street.
Will window stickers damage my glass? Removable vinyl peels off cleanly when taken down after the season. Avoid leaving any sticker up for months in strong sun, which makes removal harder.
Can I reuse CNY cookie boxes for Hari Raya? Yes. Kraft window boxes are neutral, so swap the lid sticker and they work for Raya cookies too.
