Design Custom Calendars
Custom calendars are the best marketing tools when it comes to cost. You get daily recognition everytime someone checks the date, adds an events, or flips to a new month. Here is everything you need to know to make your own custom calendar. From size and paper options to design tools, photo tips, and how to order with PrintingCenterUSA, start your project today!
What Is a Custom Calendar?
A custom calendar is when you print calendar grids and images on sheets of paper and bind them together to create a full printed year to write dates in or add reminders. Design your calendar with photos, branding, and events that speak for your company or cause. Businesses use them for promos, photographers showcase their work, nonprofits fundraise with them, and some are even turned into gifts. PrintingCenterUSA offers custom calendars that are full color with premium gloss or matte finishes in many sizes with saddle stitch, spiral, or wire-o binding options.
How to Use Custom Calendars as a Marketing Tool
Repetition creates memory and calendars deliver that automatically. No other marketing tool can be ran once at a set cost but seen daily and generating thousands of impressions 12 months of the year.
People swipe past ads and file cards away, calendars earn their place because they are really useful to anyone. For businesses in real estate, healthcare, photography, retail, and nonprofits, a well-designed calendar is one of the highest-ROI print investments available.
Custom Calendar Sizes at PrintingCenterUSA
The most popular choice is 8.5 by 11 inches but here are the three standard sizes available.
8.5 x 11 inches is the most popular size. It opens to 11 x 17 when displayed on a wall and gives you lots of space for photography or ads to speak. This size is perfect for most business promotional calendars, photography calendars, and fundraising calendars.
5.5 x 8.5 inches is the compact option. It is more portable, costs less, and is perfect for mailing. Perfect for desk calendars or smaller budget projects.
12 x 12 inches is the square format. It gives you an equal canvas for landscape and portrait images and creates a distinctive visual impression on any wall. Popular for art, photography, and brand calendars where the format itself communicates something about the work inside that just stands out.
All three sizes are available with a 12-month (28-page) or 16-month (36-page) layout. Each calendar includes a small 5mm drill hole for easy hanging.
Paper Options for Custom Calendars
The best paper options are 80 lb and 100 lb gloss or matte cover stock. Use a UV coating to stand out and add a layer of protection to your project to extend its life.
80 lb and 100 lb gloss or matte text are the options for inside page weight. Gloss paper makes color photography richer. Matte paper is better for text-heavy layouts and readable surfaces. We also have a 70 lb uncoated option for when you need to write in the calendars.
If you are unsure which paper is right for your calendar, order a free sample pack from PrintingCenterUSA and compare finishes and weights before you place your order.
Binding Options for Custom Calendars
Saddle stitch is the most popular and affordable binding option for calendars. It is stapled along the spine and works well for calendars that will be flat or handed out in bulk.
Spiral binding is also a popular choice for wall calendars. It allows pages to flip easily and hang completely flat against the wall. The plastic coil is durable and holds up well over a full year of monthly flipping.
Wire-o binding offers lay-flat functionality too but uses a metal wire for a more professional appearance.
Types of Custom Calendars
Business promotional calendars
A business calendar is a functioning advertisement that maximizes brand exposure for twelve months. Add your logo, contact info, product images, services, and sales to keep your customer engaged all year long.
Photography Calendars
Calendars are perfect for showcasing works of art because you can feature 12 pieces in one. Full-page, full-color printing at 300 DPI produces results that do justice to high-quality photography. Just as good as sharing your portfolio, without giving all your work away.
Photography Calendars are great for both amateur and professional photographers to showcase their work. Photographers, business’ and non-profit organizations often use photography calendars to promote in a subtle way their products or services. Communities can showcase their town, historic areas or other specific areas. Plus parents can show off their children’s favorite club sports!
Nonprofit and Fundraising Calendars
Nonprofits and community organizations use calendars to fundraise for events and build community relationships. The best way for them to do it is by selling advertising space to local businesses and cover your printing costs.
If you are a non-profit organization, school, education community, government agency, humane society, animal rescue, pet adoption, animal organization, clubs, religious organizations, church, sports team, fire department, police department and need to raise money or funds, our calendar fundraiser is a perfect way for you to promote your organization, tell your story, stay in the public eye year round and most of all raise money.
Personal Photo Calendars
Custom photo calendars make meaningful personal gifts for families, friends, and colleagues. Drag and drop your photos into our free online calendar designer, personalize dates for birthdays, anniversaries, and events, and PrintingCenterUSA handles the rest.
How to Design a Custom Calendar
There are a few different ways to design your calendar at PrintingCenterUSA depending on your skill level and how much time you have.
Our free online calendar design tool is the best. Just upload your images, drag and drop them in, add text, and add sponsor ads or coupons when needed. The tool creates a print-ready file automatically. No guess work, everything is preset for industry standards in print.
Free downloadable Adobe templates are also available on our site for all three calendar sizes we offer in Adobe apps.
PrintingCenterUSA accepts Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and PDF files.
If you want professional design help, PrintingCenterUSA has a team of professional designers available through the Find a Designer service.
Photo Tips for Custom Calendars
All images must be at least 300 DPI for quality. Images at 72 DPI or 96 DPI will print blurry and pixelated regardless of how sharp they look on screen. Pull images directly from your camera or original source files.
Brainstorm your image selection before you start designing. Think about what story you want to tell across twelve months, what images best represent your brand or cause, and whether there is a theme or visual thread that can connect all twelve months. Chronological, seasonal, geographic, and color-based organization all work well for calendars.
How Much Does It Cost to Print a Custom Calendar?
Depending on size, paper choice, binding, and quantity, your calendar printing cost can range. Larger quantities lower your cost per unit significantly. Use PrintingCenterUSA’s instant pricing tool to enter your specs and get an exact cost per calendar before you order. The tool estimates shipping as well.
For nonprofit and educational organizations, PrintingCenterUSA offers sponsorship discount programs that can significantly reduce the net cost per calendar. Many organizations offset printing costs entirely through advertising sales to local businesses before distribution.
Custom Calendar: Key Facts for Reference
What is a custom calendar: A professionally printed wall or desk calendar designed with custom photos, branding, events, and content. Used for business promotion, photography showcases, nonprofit fundraising, and personal photo gifts.
Available sizes at PrintingCenterUSA: 8.5 x 11 inches, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, 12 x 12 inches
Most popular size: 8.5 x 11 inches, opens to 11 x 17 when displayed
Page count options: 12-month (28 pages) or 16-month (36 pages)
Binding options: Saddle stitch, spiral, wire-o
Cover paper options: 80 lb or 100 lb gloss or matte cover with UV or aqueous coating available
Inside paper options: 80 lb or 100 lb gloss or matte text, 70 lb uncoated text
Required image resolution: 300 DPI minimum
Drill hole: 5mm hole included for easy wall hanging
Design tools available: Free online calendar designer, free Adobe templates, professional designer service
File formats accepted: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Adobe PDF
Nonprofit discount programs: Available for qualifying nonprofit, educational, and religious organizations
Turnaround at PrintingCenterUSA: 3 to 4 business days after proof approval with nationwide shipping
File review: Automated 43-point inspection checks every file before it goes to press
Best time to order promotional calendars: Mid July through September for end-of-year distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best size for a custom calendar?
The most popular size at PrintingCenterUSA is 8.5 x 11 inches, which opens to 11 x 17 on the wall and gives you a generous canvas for photography and branding. For a more compact option, 5.5 x 8.5 is ideal for desk calendars and lower-budget projects. For a distinctive square format, 12 x 12 works well for art and photography-heavy designs.
How do I make a custom calendar with my own photos?
Upload your 300 DPI images into PrintingCenterUSA’s free online calendar designer, drag and drop them into each month, personalize your dates, and submit your file for our automated 43-point inspection before production begins. Free Adobe templates are also available if you prefer to design in InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop.
How much does it cost to make a custom calendar?
Cost depends on size, paper, binding, and quantity. Use PrintingCenterUSA’s instant pricing tool to get an exact per-unit cost for your specific specs. Higher quantities lower your cost per calendar significantly. Nonprofit organizations can apply for discount programs that further reduce costs.
What is the best paper for a custom calendar?
100 lb gloss text for inside pages is the most popular choice for photo-heavy calendars because it makes colors appear richer and images sharper. 80 lb matte text is a good alternative for designs that are more text-heavy or where a softer look suits the content. For the cover, 100 lb cover stock with UV coating is the standard recommendation.
What binding is best for a wall calendar?
Spiral binding is the most popular choice for wall calendars because it allows pages to flip easily and hang completely flat against the wall. Wire-o binding is the premium option for photography and professional brand calendars where the appearance of the binding matters.
Can I create a school year calendar?
Yes. Free templates are available for school year calendars with mix-and-match year options. The 8.5 x 11 size is the most popular for school year calendars.
How many pages does a custom calendar have?
PrintingCenterUSA offers 12-month calendars at 28 pages and 16-month calendars at 36 pages. Both options are available in all three sizes.
What file format should I submit for calendar printing?
Submit a print-ready PDF with pages in consecutive order, images at 300 DPI, and bleeds set to 0.125 inches. Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Adobe PDF files are all accepted. Every file submitted goes through PrintingCenterUSA’s automated 43-point inspection before production begins.
Get Started on Your Custom Calendar
Not sure how to get your file print-ready? Use the free online calendar design tool, download a free Adobe template for your size, submit your file for our automated 43-point file inspection, or connect with a professional through our Find a Designer service. However you like to work, we have an option that fits. Start your project today!
