Printing Planet UK
Custom calendars are one of the most effective long-term promotional items available. A client who receives a branded wall calendar will see the company name every day for twelve months. This guide covers the formats, bindings and ordering timeline to plan a calendar print run correctly.
Calendar Types
Wall calendar: The standard A3 or A2 spiral-bound calendar with a different image per month. Hung on a wall or pinned above a desk. The most popular format for corporate gifting. Typically 13 pages (12 monthly sheets plus a cover).
Desk calendar: A smaller format (usually A5 or A6) designed to stand on a desk. Can be wire-o bound at the top to stand upright, or tent-style with a folded backing card. Popular for month-at-a-glance desk planning.
Pocket calendar: A folded card the size of a business card or DL, carrying the full year at a glance. Inexpensive to produce in large quantities. Often included in end-of-year mailings.
Binding Options
| Binding | Format | Lies Flat? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wire-o (top) | Wall or desk | Yes | Most wall and desk calendars |
| Saddle stitch | Booklet style | When open | Pocket and desk booklet |
| Spiral | Wall | Yes | Budget wall calendars |
Wire-o binding at the top of the calendar is the industry standard for wall calendars. It allows each month to fold back cleanly without the previous months interfering.
Saddle stitch produces a booklet-style calendar, which is more compact but does not hang as neatly as a wire-bound format.
Photo vs Illustrated Calendars
Photo calendars feature a large photograph per month. For corporate calendars, this is typically a professional image relevant to the business (hospitality, landscape, property, food).
Illustrated or branded calendars use custom artwork, infographics or brand visuals instead of photography. These work well for creative agencies, design studios and businesses with strong brand identity.
Business Uses
| Use Case | Recommended Format |
|---|---|
| Corporate gifting to clients | Wall calendar, A3, wire-o |
| Staff desk planner | Desk calendar, A5, wire-o |
| Trade show giveaway | Pocket calendar |
| Retail promotional item | Wall or desk calendar |
When to Order
Calendar printing has the most rigid lead-time requirements of any print product. A calendar ordered for January 2027 should be ready for dispatch by December 2026 at the latest.
| Order Month | Calendar Ready For |
|---|---|
| September | November delivery |
| October | December delivery |
| November | Early January (tight) |
| December | Late January (very tight) |
For quantities above 500, add 2 to 3 weeks for production and allow for artwork approval rounds. Ordering by October is strongly recommended for any calendar intended as a Christmas gift.
For pricing and format options, visit the calendar printing service page.