Couriers, local delivery services, florists, furniture stores, and caterers all face the same problem: the customer is not home. A clear, friendly notice on the door tells the customer what happened and what to do next, which saves phone calls, frustration, and wasted trips. This door hanger is a practical form designed to be filled in quickly by a driver: a bright orange banner, a parcel illustration, fields for the date, time, and tracking number, tick boxes for where the package is now, and a dark footer with redelivery details.
Layout of the Delivery Notice
This single-sided hanger measures 4.25 x 11 inches. The area around the door hole is pale peach, and below it a bright orange banner carries Sorry we missed you! in bold white Poppins. To the right, a cardboard parcel with tape and a shipping label sits beside the text We tried to deliver your package today. Two labelled lines follow for the date and time and the tracking or reference number. Your package is introduced with four tick boxes with write-in lines: left with a neighbour at number, left in a safe place, at our local depot for pickup, and coming back tomorrow. The dark footer reads Redeliver or change, with a phone number, a website for redelivery, and a line for the driver’s name.
Designed to Be Filled In by Hand
Drivers have seconds at each door. The tick boxes let them mark what happened with a single stroke, and the lines are long enough for a house number, a safe place such as behind the side gate, or a depot address. Keep a pen clipped to the stack and print on paper that takes ink easily.
Customising for Your Business
The template uses a fictional courier, but the same notice works for many businesses. Change the headline and options to suit:
| Business | Headline | Options to tick |
|---|---|---|
| Florist | Flowers for you! | Left with neighbour, back at shop, redelivery today |
| Furniture store | We tried to deliver your furniture | Call to reschedule, delivery window options |
| Grocery delivery | Your groceries are here | In cooler at door, with neighbour, returned |
| Pharmacy | Prescription delivery attempted | Collect at pharmacy, redelivery tomorrow |
| Laundry service | Your laundry is ready | Left at door, at shop, call to arrange |
Editing Fields and Tick Boxes
Each field label and line is separate, so you can rename Tracking/reference number to Order number or Invoice. The tick box options are text lines beside small square boxes; click the text to change it, and copy a row to add another option. Keep options short so drivers can read them at a glance.
Clear Redelivery Instructions
The footer is the most important part for the customer. It should say exactly how to rearrange delivery: a phone number with hours, a website or app link, or the depot address and pickup hours. If packages are only held for a limited time, say so: Held for 5 days, then returned to sender.
Security and Privacy
A notice on the door can tell passers-by that nobody is home and that a package is nearby. Encourage drivers to write vague safe-place descriptions (as agreed) or leave the notice partially folded. Never write the contents of the package on the notice, especially for high-value or medical items.
Branding the Notice
Add your company logo near the parcel illustration and change the orange to your brand colour. A professional, branded notice reassures customers that the delivery attempt was genuine and helps them recognise legitimate notices, which is important as delivery scams become more common.
About Delivery Scams
Fake missed delivery notices and messages are used by scammers to trick people into calling premium numbers or visiting fake websites. Protect your customers by using your official website and phone number only, and by including your business name prominently. Customers can then verify the notice independently.
Door Hole and Quick Hanging
The dashed circle at the top marks the doorknob hole, and the dashed slit lets drivers slip the notice over a handle in one movement. Pre-cut hangers save time on the route; a print shop can die-cut a full stack.
Printing in Pads
Delivery notices are used in large quantities. Download as a PDF and ask a printer to produce them on uncoated card that takes ballpoint pen, die-cut, and perhaps padded in stacks of 50 for drivers. For small businesses, printing on cardstock at the office works fine.
Reducing Missed Deliveries
Every missed delivery costs time and fuel. Text customers a delivery window, offer safe-place or neighbour options when they order, and include a tick box on the order form for delivery instructions. The fewer notices you need to leave, the better your service.
Customer-Friendly Wording
Sorry we missed you is polite and positive; it does not blame the customer for being out. Keep the rest of the language equally friendly and simple. A smiley or Thanks! in the driver’s handwriting goes a long way.
Notices for Small Local Businesses
Large couriers have their own printed notices, but independent bakeries, bookshops, meal-prep companies and local delivery startups often do not. A well-designed notice makes a small business look as professional as a national carrier and keeps the customer relationship personal. Write a friendly handwritten line, such as We’ll try again tomorrow between 10 and 12!, to show the extra care that makes local businesses special.
Delivery Notice FAQ
Can I add a QR code for rescheduling?
Yes. Place a QR code image in the dark footer next to the phone number.
Is this double-sided?
No, it is a single-sided notice. Add a page in the editor for terms or instructions on the back.
What size is it?
4.25 x 11 inches.
Can drivers use a marker?
Yes. Fine-tip markers work well on uncoated card and dry quickly.
Can I print it in my brand colour?
Yes. Recolour the orange banner and tick-box outlines to match your brand.
Should the driver sign it?
A first name or driver number helps customers and support staff trace the attempt.
