How to Create Eye-Catching Christmas-Themed Strut Cards for Your Countertop Displays

⏱️ Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Bringing Festive Cheer to Your Countertops with Christmas Strut Cards

When the holiday season rolls around, catching your customers’ eye with festive displays can make all the difference. Christmas-themed strut cards are a brilliant way to add that seasonal sparkle right at your countertop, whether you’re in retail, hospitality, or events. They’re compact, easy to set up, and pack a punch in festive messaging.

In this guide, we’ll share how to create striking Christmas strut cards that stand out, plus some useful tips and a mini case study from our experience at Newstyle Print. Let’s break down what makes these little displays so effective and how you can get yours just right.

⏱️ Reading time: 7 minutes · Updated for 2025 · UK Printing Guide

1. Understand What Makes a Great Christmas Strut Card

Strut cards are essentially small, folded signs with a built-in stand, perfect for placing on counters or shelves. For Christmas, you want them to feel warm, festive, and inviting without overwhelming the space. Think of them as your mini ambassadors for the season.

Here’s the thing: the paper stock and finish you choose really affect the look and feel. We’ve seen customers go for a sturdy 350gsm card that feels substantial in the hand and holds up well over weeks of display. A matt finish tends to feel more elegant and less reflective under indoor lighting, but a gloss finish can make colours pop if you want that vibrant, festive wow factor.

That said, it’s worth considering the environment where the cards will be displayed. For example, if the lighting is dim or there’s a lot of glare from shop windows, matt finishes might provide better readability. On the other hand, gloss finishes can sometimes highlight fingerprints or scuffs more easily, which might be a drawback in high-traffic areas.

2. Design Tips to Capture the Christmas Spirit

Design-wise, it’s all about balance. You want festive elements like holly, snowflakes, or Christmas lights, but keep the messaging clear and easy to read at a glance. Bold, legible fonts paired with traditional Christmas colours – think deep reds, forest greens, and warm golds – usually work wonders.

One subtle tip: include a bit of white space around your text and images. It helps the card avoid looking cluttered, especially since these are small displays.

Also, consider incorporating a call-to-action (CTA) that’s simple and direct, like “Shop our Christmas Specials” or “Enjoy Festive Discounts.” Even without being pushy, it guides customers towards what you want them to do.

It’s easy to get carried away with festive motifs, but overcrowding your card can dilute your message. I’ve noticed that cards with too many tiny snowflakes or overly intricate patterns tend to confuse rather than entice. Sometimes, less is more—especially when your space is limited.

Quick Tip:

• Use high-resolution images (at least 300dpi) to keep everything sharp.
• Keep your branding consistent but subtle to not overpower the festive feel.
• Test your design colours on screen and in print proof – reds can sometimes shift unexpectedly.
• Consider font size carefully; what looks fine on screen might be hard to read from a few feet away.

3. Practical Printing Considerations for Strut Cards

When it comes to printing, you’ll want to decide between digital and litho printing methods based on your quantity and budget. Digital printing is perfect for smaller runs and quick turnarounds, while litho shines for larger orders with consistent colour quality.

At Newstyle Print, we offer free artwork checks, so if you’re unsure whether your design is print-ready – say, if your bleed margins are correct or if your colours are CMYK-optimised – just send it over. We’ll give you a friendly, no-pressure review.

Don’t forget about the strut itself – the fold and adhesive quality matter. A well-constructed strut card will stand firm and look professional throughout the busy Christmas period.

One thing that sometimes gets overlooked is the stability of the base. If your strut card is too light or the fold isn’t quite right, it might topple over easily, especially in busy shops or where there’s a breeze. Testing a sample before ordering a large batch can save headaches later.

4. Case Example: How a Local Bakery Boosted Festive Sales with Strut Cards

We recently worked with a charming independent bakery looking to promote its Christmas cake range. They chose a 350gsm uncoated card with a matt finish and a classic red-and-green palette featuring snowflake motifs.

After a free artwork check and a few tweaks to improve legibility, we printed a batch of 200 strut cards. The bakery placed them next to the till and on display counters. The owner told us the festive cards helped attract attention and increased enquiries by about 30% compared to the previous year’s plain signage.

Interestingly, the bakery owner mentioned that customers lingered longer at the counter, often asking about the special cakes, which wasn’t as common before introducing the strut cards. This suggests that the cards didn’t just catch the eye but also invited closer inspection, which is exactly what you want.

It was a simple, effective way to spread seasonal cheer and boost sales – proving how even small print projects can make a big impact.

5. Final Thoughts on Creating Your Christmas Strut Cards

Creating Christmas-themed strut cards is a fantastic way to add festive spirit to your countertop displays without needing much space or fuss. Remember to pick the right card stock and finish, keep your design clear and cheerful, and prepare your files properly for print.

If you’re unsure about any step, you can always ask us at Newstyle Print for advice. We’re happy to help with everything from paper choices to artwork tweaks, making sure your print looks just right.

With a little care and creativity, your strut cards will help your business shine this Christmas.

One thing I’d add: don’t underestimate the power of timing. Getting your cards printed and out on counters early enough can make a noticeable difference. Customers tend to get into the festive mood gradually, so being one of the first to showcase Christmas cheer can give you a leg up.

If you’d like advice on printing, we’re always happy to help — free artwork check included.

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Updated on 21 November 2025

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