How Brands Run a 24-Day Scratch Off Advent Calendar
A practical guide to custom scratch off advent calendars: 8.5 x 11 layout, 24 reveal windows, prize planning, August to November production, and real pricing.
What exactly is a scratch off advent calendar?
It is a single 8.5" x 11" printed piece with 24 numbered scratch windows arranged across the layout. Each day the recipient scratches one window and finds what is underneath: an offer, a message, a scripture, a prize tier, a fact, a small reward. Unlike a boxed calendar there is nothing to assemble, nothing to ship in a carton, and nothing to store.
What are the ready-made layouts?
Three starting points:
| Layout | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Starry Night | Elegant night sky | Retail, hospitality, religious variants |
| Season of Giving | Warm and festive | Community, nonprofit, family audiences |
| Design-It-Yourself | Your artwork | Brands with existing holiday creative |
Starry Night and Season of Giving both come in holiday and religious variants, which matters for churches running an Advent devotional rather than a promotion.
What is the minimum order for advent calendars?
50 calendars, not 250. Advent is the one product where the minimum is lower, because a single congregation, office, or small retailer often needs exactly one or two boxes worth.
What should go behind the 24 windows?
Plan the grid before you plan the art. A pattern that works across industries:
- Days 1 to 20: small, repeatable value. A percentage off, a free add-on, a daily message, a devotional verse, a team shout-out.
- Days 21 to 23: bigger pulls that build momentum into the final stretch.
- Day 24: the one everybody talks about. A single high-value prize or the campaign's main call to action.
Whatever the mix, every window resolves to something. A blank window reads as a printing error, not a near miss.
What does a custom advent calendar cost?
Published per-calendar tiers for the complete 8.5" x 11" piece:
| Quantity | Price each |
|---|---|
| 50 | $7.99 |
| 75 | $6.99 |
| 100 | $5.89 |
| 250 | $4.89 |
| 500 | $3.49 |
| 1,000 | $2.69 |
| 1,500 | $1.99 |
| 2,000 | $1.69 |
| 2,500 | $1.49 |
Above 2,500 calendars we quote individually, call 844-287-2855. Full-color and single-color back options price differently, and the pricing page carries the current rate sheet.
When do you need to place the order?
Advent production runs August through November. That window is not arbitrary: 24 individual reveal windows take more press and finishing time than a single-panel card, and everyone in the country wants the same six weeks. Place your order in August or September if the calendars need to be in hands by December 1. A quote comes back within one business day, so the research part is quick.
How long does production take once artwork is approved?
Standard production is 7 to 10 business days after proof approval, with 3 to 5 day rush when the press schedule allows. Digital proofs are free and usually same-day. Build in your own distribution time, mailing, in-store handout, or internal shipping, on top of that.
Who uses these outside of retail?
Four groups, consistently:
- Churches running a 24-day Advent devotional, with a verse or reflection behind each window. See churches and religious organizations.
- Retail and e-commerce brands running a daily-offer campaign that keeps a customer opening one channel for a month. See retail stores and e-commerce brands.
- HR and internal comms teams using the calendar for daily recognition and small perks. See loyalty and employee recognition.
- Dealerships and service businesses turning December foot traffic into a return-visit calendar.
Can the calendar be sold?
No. A calendar with prize windows cannot be sold, and no chance at a prize can be purchased, because that would make it a lottery. Advent calendars are given away. If the goal is fundraising, the compliant approach is scratch and donate, described on the nonprofits and fundraisers page. You supply any prize legend and disclaimer language; we print what you approve.
What stock and reveal options apply?
Calendars print on our standard 12pt C2S stock with a Classic silver or gold reveal by default. A full-color reveal is available when you want printed artwork under each window, and it runs roughly 20% to 30% more. Heavier 14pt and 16pt stocks are options when the calendar is meant to stay on a wall all month.
Frequently asked questions
How many windows does a scratch off advent calendar have?
24, one per day through December 24, on a single 8.5" x 11" sheet.
What is the minimum order for advent calendars?
50 calendars, lower than the 250-card minimum that applies to scratch off cards.
How much does an advent calendar cost?
From $7.99 each at 50 calendars down to $1.49 each at 2,500. Larger runs are quoted individually.
When should I order for December delivery?
August through September. Advent production runs August through November and the late window fills first.
Can I use my own artwork?
Yes. The Design-It-Yourself option lets you supply the artwork and place the 24 reveal windows.
Related guides
Share your artwork or use our Design-It-Yourself tools. We proof every job before printing. Orders ship in 7-10 business days.