Packaging Plan 2026

January

Start the year strong: Plan ahead

January is the perfect time to look ahead and set your packaging and merchandise strategy for the year. Planning early helps ensure consistent inventory levels, smoother production timelines, and on-time delivery for key moments throughout the year. By forecasting your needs now, you can avoid last-minute rushes, reduce costs, and stay ahead of long lead times.

February

1. Chinese New Year närmar sig

February is shaped by Chinese New Year (CNY), one of the most important holidays in the global manufacturing calendar. During this period, many factories close for 3–4 weeks, and production is paused entirely. Even after reopening, ramp-up times can affect capacity and extend lead times. By planning projects well ahead of CNY, you can secure production slots, avoid delays, and ensure smooth timelines and on-time deliveries for the rest of the year.

CNY 2026: Week 8–10, February 17 to March 3
CNY 2027: Week 5–6, February 6 to February 20

2. Summer Merch planning starts now

February is the time to kick off your Summer merchandise planning. Early planning gives you the flexibility to adjust designs or quantities on slippers, t-shirts, hats and sunglasses without compromising your launch schedule.

Project start February, w.6
Order deadline February, w.9
Production & shipping 8 weeks
Delivery estimate April, w.16 2026

March

Stay ahead: Review, adjust, and prepare

March is a great month to review your ongoing packaging and merchandise projects, ensure inventory levels are on track, and make any adjustments before the next seasonal push.

April

Final call for Advent Calendars

With spring approaching and summer merch arriving, April is your last chance to order this year’s Advent Calendars with shorter production times. Choose a lid-and-base, drawer, or corrugated box to stay on schedule and have time for packing and launch planning.

Project start April, w.16
Order deadline May, w.19
Production & shipping 12 weeks incl. White sample
Delivery estimate July, w.31 2026

May

Plan Christmas Packaging before the vacay

Starting your planning now ensures your Christmas packaging (paper bags, gift bags, ribbons, and gift boxes) will be delivered in October, before Black Friday and the peak holiday season.
By placing your order now and producing in Asia, you’ll get both higher quality and a better price.

Project start May, w.19
Order deadline May, w.22
Production & shipping 22 weeks incl. PPS 1
Delivery estimate October, w.43 2026

June

Secure your Valentine’s Packaging

It may sound crazy, but with summer holidays around the corner, now is the time to plan your Valentine’s packaging. By setting the order deadline in June, production can start before July
– ensuring everything arrives on time for your Valentine’s campaigns.

Project start June, w.23
Order deadline June, w.26
Production & shipping 22 weeks incl. PPS 1
Delivery estimate November, w.48 2026

July

Vacation or packing mode

July is a month of two moods: while some enjoy a well-deserved break, others are getting their advent calendars delivered and starting to pack for the holiday season. With products in hand, it’s the perfect time to organize inventory, prepare shipments, and get ahead on seasonal campaigns.

August

1. Gear up for Black Friday

Time to start planning your packaging for Black Friday. With online sales surging during the peak shopping season, having your branded e-commerce bags and cost-effective retail bags ready ensures a seamless high-season.

2. Final call for Christmas Packaging

August is the last chance to plan your Christmas bags, gift bags and tissue paper while still allowing enough time for delivery before the peak season. With Christmas just around the corner, European production is the right choice.

Project start August, w.33
Order deadline September, w.36
Production & shipping 8 weeks
Delivery estimate October, w.44 2026

September

1. Start planning your Winter Merch

In September it’s time to start planning your winter merch. Everything from ski goggles to hats and sweatshirts, make sure you place your order in time to get your merch before the holiday season.

Project start September, w.36
Order deadline September, w.39
Production & shipping 8 weeks
Delivery estimate November, w.47 2026

2.Brighten the season with Easter Packaging

Easter may be months away, but spring is coming fast – and so are order deadlines. Start now to lock in your designs and get your boxes ready for seasonal promotions with our time plan optimized to avoid February CNY delays.

Project start September, w.36
Order deadline September, w.39
Production & shipping 22 weeks, incl. PPS 1
Delivery estimate February, w.8 2027

October

1. It’s tiiiime..to think Advent Calendars

October is the ideal time to start your advent calendar project for next year. The extended timeline ensures you have time to plan, approve PPS’s, pack, and avoid delays – as well as the opportunity
to add creative touches and magical details that make your calendar truly stand out.

Project start October, w.42
Order deadline December, w.49
Production & shipping 30 weeks, incl. CNY, PPS 1 & 2
Delivery estimate July, w.30 2027

2. Get ready for beach 2027

Fall may just be setting in, but now is the moment to plan for next summer. Placing your order for beach bags and beauty bags ensures production slots are secured before Chinese New Year and your inventory is ready well before summer campaigns and GWPs begin.

Project start October, w.42
Order deadline November, w.45
Production & shipping 19 weeks, incl. CNY, PPS
Delivery estimate March, w.11 2027

November

Winter arrives, peak season begins

Winter is just around the corner, and your winter merch is expected to arrive this month if your order was placed in September. With products landing, it’s time to buckle up for Black Friday and the upcoming holiday season. Get ready to meet increased demand and make the most of the busiest sales period of the year.

December

Wrap up and look ahead

December is the time to close out the year while setting yourself up for success in the next one. Review your packaging, merchandise, and inventory from the past year, and start thinking strategically about upcoming projects and seasonal campaigns.

Reminder on timelines

The timelines in this Packaging Plan are designed to give you extra breathing room, helping you get a clear overview of the year and kick off your projects without stress. They’re general estimates – not a promise that every unique production will arrive on time. Things can happen in print and packaging, especially with handcrafted products, design processes or shipping. To stay on track, it’s best to place your orders early. And don’t worry – your dedicated contact is here to create a custom plan just for you and guide you from start to finish.

Avisera does not own the image rights to all images in the guide.