Chinese New Year is almost here, and no Lunar New Year is complete without handing out lai see. A well-designed red packet is how businesses and sole traders alike send festive blessings to clients and friends — so it pays to put some thought into the design and print finishing.
This guide walks through several print-and-finishing effects for custom red packets, so you can pick the look that suits you.
Full-Colour Printed Red Packets
Single-Side Print + Gold Foil (1)
This is the most common, go-to combination: full-colour printing on gloss art paper finished with gold foil stamping.
Full-colour printing gives designers plenty of room to work, so the artwork can follow whatever concept you have in mind.
To make the envelope more durable, we matte-laminate it first and then apply the foil.
Our rating: ★★★★☆
Design difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Single-Side Print + Gold Foil (2)
This design shows off just how flexible full-colour printing can be — built around the company's brand colours for a look that stands apart.
A large area of gold foil brings out the festive New Year mood and is genuinely eye-catching.
Our rating: ★★★★☆
Design difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Single-Side Print + Gold Foil (3)
This one keeps the background simple: a solid red flood printed edge to edge, paired with glossy gold foil.
A pared-back design like this actually makes the foil stand out more.
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
Design difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Single-Side Print + Emboss / Gold Foil
This version uses embossing to break up the flat surface and give the envelope something extra — here the orange is printed, not foiled.
The overall feel is clean but full of character, and the standout detail is the raised-and-recessed contrast between the rabbit motif and the gold foil.
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
Design difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Red Card-Stock Red Packets
Red Card + Red Foil
A striking combination. Because it's printed on red card stock, the colour stays consistent inside and out, and pairing it with foil in a matching red tone looks simple yet refined.
Get the design and print pairing right and you don't need anything fancy for it to stand out.
Our rating: ★★★★★
Design difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Red Card + Emboss + Gold Foil
A simple yet luxurious pairing — a great choice for brands that lean towards understated, design-led aesthetics.
If you like this minimal style, take a cue from this one and emboss-and-foil the logo.
Our rating: ★★★★★
Design difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Want to Know How Much Red Packets Cost?
Message us and we'll recommend the red packet spec that best fits your design and budget. We print and deliver across Hong Kong and Macau — WhatsApp us at +852 3001 5678 (English is fine) for a quote.