How Limited Is Limited?
The phrase Limited Time Offer appears on this coupon in red script, and it is only honest if the limit is real. A limit by date is easy: the offer ends at a set hour. A limit by stock is also fine, as long as you say so. What customers dislike is a “limited” offer that keeps coming back. Decide your limit before you print, and put it on the card.
The Look of the Coupon
The coupon is 6 x 3 inches in landscape. The background is black with circular ripples. On the left, a large red disc with white rings holds SAVE, a huge white 50, a percent sign and OFF, with ON YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE! below, and a black pill with COUPON CODE: BF2024. On the right, Limited Time Offer appears in a dark red script above BLACK FRIDAY COUPON in white capitals, with a red tag reading BLACK FRIDAY BLOWOUT SALE!
Under that, TERMS & CONDITIONS has two bullets: This coupon is valid for in-store and online purchases, and Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. The valid dates are at the bottom, with a barcode picture at the lower right.
Steps Before Printing
- Change BF2024 to your current code, and check it works in your system.
- Retype the dates, which currently read Valid : November 24 to November 27.
- Decide whether 50 percent covers the entire purchase, and edit the line if it does not.
- Add any exclusions to the terms, such as gift cards or clearance.
- Replace or remove the barcode picture.
The Danger of “Entire Purchase”
A coupon that gives 50 percent off an entire purchase can be very costly if customers fill baskets. Many businesses cap it: “Up to a maximum discount of $100” or “On purchases up to $200.” If you have a limit, add it to the terms. Without it, one large order could wipe out the margin of many small ones.
Creating Urgency Without Pressure
Words like blowout and limited time work, but customers also appreciate clear facts. Put the end time on the coupon, for example “Ends 27 November, 11:59 PM.” If stock is limited, say “while stocks last.” A clear deadline is persuasive on its own.
Using the Coupon Online and In Store
The terms state that the coupon works in store and online, so test both. For physical shops, train staff to apply the code at the till. For websites, make sure the code field is visible at checkout, and confirm that it does not stack with sitewide sales unless you want it to.
Printing the Red Disc Version
The big red disc uses a lot of ink, so test one copy on 200 to 250 gsm card stock. A letter sheet takes a single column of them.
A Backup Plan if Stock Runs Out
Deep discounts attract crowds. If a popular line sells out, customers feel let down, and a printed coupon makes it worse. Decide beforehand how to handle it: offer a rain check, a similar item or a voucher for later. Put the policy on the coupon in one short line. Honest handling of sold out items builds trust that lasts beyond Black Friday.
See also the storewide discount coupon and the Super Black Friday sale coupon. More are in coupons and discount vouchers.
