Filing to run for office is the easy part. The next morning, a first-time candidate wakes up to a stack of questions: what do we print first, when do we order, who signs off? The following is the complete first-time candidate print checklist, in the order the calendar actually demands.

Phase 1 - Filing Week (Day 1-7)

You just filed. You don't have branding yet, but you already need paper. The goal this week is presence, not polish.

• Announcement banner. One political campaign banner for the filing photo op and the announcement event. Simple: name, office, "Announcing 2026."
• 50-100 "first supporter" yard signs. A small batch of candidate signs so day-one supporters have something to plant. Don't order the full run yet - the logo will evolve.
• Business cards. Everyone the candidate meets in the first 30 days needs one.

Phase 2 - Building the Brand (Weeks 2-6)

Now you finalize your logo, colors, tagline, and photo. Every subsequent print order flows from these choices. Nail them down before you spend big.

• Retractable banner for events. One retractable banner that travels with the candidate to every town hall, fundraiser and debate.
• Palm cards, version 1. Small run (1,000-2,000) to test at early events. You'll refine before the big canvass push.
• Kickoff bumper stickers. A first box of bumper stickers to give away at the launch event.

Phase 3 - Volume Order (Weeks 7-12, before qualifying)

Design is set, endorsements are coming in, the campaign has volunteers. Now you order the volume that gets you through the summer.

• Full first wave of yard signs. The bulk of your campaign yard signs - 60-70% of your total sign budget.
• Palm cards, final version. Full canvass quantity - one per door plus 20%.
• Car magnets for volunteer fleet. Pairs of political car magnets for every regular volunteer and staff member.
• Feather flags for the HQ and voter registration booths.Campaign feather flags mark the headquarters and every event booth from across a parking lot.

Phase 4 - Summer Push to the Primary (Weeks 13-18)

• Second sign wave. Replace losses and add depth in the strongest precincts.
• Parade & rally banner. A dedicated parade & rally banner for July 4, Labor Day parades, and any march or rally on the calendar.
• Direct mail piece #1. Reach the households canvassing won't get to.
• Handout stickers and decals. A supply of campaign stickers & decals for events, tables, and rally attendees.

Phase 5 - Primary Week & Early Vote (Weeks 19-20)

• Election Day & Vote Here signs. A set of Election Day and vote signs for every polling place your volunteers will cover.
• Early vote palm cards. A dedicated "Vote early - here's how" version.

Phase 6 - General Election (if you advanced)

• Rebrand or refresh. "General Election" versions of banners, palm cards and yard signs.
• Large signs at high-traffic intersections. A handful of 2x4 or 4x8 large campaign signs for the commuter routes into your district.
• General mail piece(s). One or two drops timed before VBM ballots hit mailboxes.
• Final sign wave. Replace weather and vandalism losses; add depth in the last competitive precincts.

Phase 7 - The Last 10 Days

By now everything should be printed and in hand. Your job is deployment, not ordering. Two exceptions where an emergency reprint is worth it:

• You blew through palm cards faster than expected - reorder overnight if the printer can turn it.
• A major endorsement dropped that changes the front of the piece - reprint only the palm card, not the signs.

The Checklist in One Place

Print, in order:

• Announcement banner + first 50-100 signs + business cards
• Retractable banner + palm cards v1 + first bumper stickers
• Full yard sign run + final palm cards + volunteer car magnets + feather flags
• Second sign wave + parade banner + mail piece #1 + handout stickers
• Election Day signs + early-vote palm cards
• General-election refresh + large intersection signs + general mail + final sign wave