Calendar Printing FAQ
Have a question about printing custom calendars? Check out these calendar printing FAQ and learn about calendar bindings, the difference between page and sheets, coating options and more.
Desk Calendars
What sizes are available?
You can design Desk Calendars for online printing in our predetermined sizes or use custom dimensions. When you enter your desired dimensions in the Finished Size fields on the product page, a notification will alert you if they are outside our parameters. In that case, you can request a Custom Quote.
How do I arrange pages for online printing?
For your desk calendar, please provide one file that includes your cover and interior pages. We request that the file be sent as single pages, in one multi-page PDF. If you cannot combine them into one PDF, be sure that they are named in successive order so we can easily identify how they should be printed. Please include the pages in this order:
- 01_Cover
- 02_January_Photo
- 03_January_Grid
- 04_February_Photo
- 05_February_Grid
- Etc.
It’s very important to provide the interior pages in the order they’ll be read.
Note: Uploading a single-page PDF file does not mean uploading one PDF for each page. It means all the pages in your PDF file should be single pages, not spreads. Learn more: Reader’s Spread vs. Printer’s Spread
What’s the difference between pages and sheets? Do I include my calendar’s cover when calculating them?
A page is one side or face of a piece of paper. A sheet is two pages. For example, page one is the front cover, page two is the inside of the front cover, page three is the first interior page, etc.
For desk calendars, please enter the number of pages (not sheets), including any cover pages. To calculate the number of sheets, divide the number of pages by two. Learn more: Pages, Sheets & How to Count Them
What paper stocks are available?
You can print your own calendars in an array of paper stocks, including coated, uncoated and recycled. Learn more: Small Format Paper Stocks, Coated Paper Stocks vs. Uncoated Paper Stocks, Recycled Paper Stocks
Should I use a text weight or cover weight stock?
This depends on your calendar design and the aesthetic you want. Text weight stocks are lightweight and flexible. Cover weight stocks are more rigid and substantial. When held up to a light, text weight stocks are see-through, while cover weight stocks are not. Learn more: Text Weight vs. Cover Weight
Can you print double-sided?
Yes. You can print custom calendars with black or full-color ink on the front, back or both. Just use the Pages Printing and Pages Printing on Back dropdowns on the product page. Learn more: Black vs. Full-Color Printing
Can I print on the back of the stand?
Yes. If you’d like artwork or any content on the back of your desk calendar stand, please request a Custom Quote.
Can I add coating or laminate to my calendar?
No. We do not offer coatings or laminate for personalized desk calendars. Either option makes it very difficult to write on your calendars.
How many months can my calendar have?
As a premium online printer, Smartpress offers calendar printing in 12 or 18 months. If you’d like to customize the months of your calendar (a school calendar that begins in August, a seasonal calendar, fiscal calendar, etc.), please request a Custom Quote.
What resolution should my images/artwork be?
We recommend your artwork have a resolution of 250-300 PPI. We accept artwork files in the following formats: PDF, JPEG and PNG, as well as packaged InDesign and Illustrator files. Learn more: PPI, DPI & Image Resolution, Packaging InDesign Files
Do you offer calendar templates?
Yes. You can find templated layout guides for various calendar sizes under the Project Resources section on the product page.
What’s the wire coil made of?
The wire coil is made of sturdy metal that lasts long and stands up to daily handling. It comes in your choice of black or white. If you’d like other colors, please request a Custom Quote.
Can I create multiple calendars in the same order?
Yes. With our Versions feature, you can print various designs to differ content on multiple calendars (promotional calendars, seasonal calendars, school calendars, etc.). Our online printing services require your calendars be the same size, stock and finish, but your designs and content can change as much as you like. Learn more: Versions
Magnet Calendars
What sizes are available?
You can design Magnet Calendars for online printing in our predetermined sizes or use custom dimensions. When you enter your desired dimensions in the Finished Size fields on the product page, a notification will alert you if they are outside our parameters. In that case, you can request a Custom Quote.
What thicknesses are available?
Our magnetic calendars are .015 mil thick.
What magnet stocks are available? Are they smooth or textured?
As a premium online printer, we offer magnet printing on high-quality white vinyl magnet stock. The magnet stock is smooth and printed with UV raised ink, which can sometimes feel subtly textured. It’s made from 75% recycled content and 100% pre-consumer recycled content (printed vinyl face is not made of recycled content).
What surfaces will my custom magnets stick to?
Calendar magnets will stick to whiteboards, lockers, vehicles (steel), most refrigerators, filing cabinets, metal shelving, etc.
Should my design have a specific font size?
Your magnets can have any font size you choose, however we recommend nothing smaller than 5 pt.
Will my magnets have coating or laminate? Is it glossy or matte?
Magnets do not have coating or laminate, but the material offers a satin-like look for a professional finish. Our calendar printing also features durable UV ink, so there’s no need for coating or laminate. Learn more: Ink Technology: Aqueous, Latex, UV Ink and More
Can my magnets be in any shape? What’s the difference between simple and complex die cutting?
Yes, we offer simple and complex die cutting. Simple die cutting is for shapes like circles, ovals, squares and rectangles. Complex die cutting is for any shapes or cuts more intricate than that. If you’d like to add die cutting to your design, be sure to include a vector dieline in your print-ready file. Learn more: Vector vs. Raster Graphics, Print-Ready Files
How should I put my calendar into an envelope for mailing?
The USPS prefers magnets to be inserted facing the back right side of the envelope, with the magnet facing away from the recipient’s address on the front. If you’d like help with kitting, request a Custom Quote. Learn more: Kitting vs. Split Shipping
Will my magnets hold up multiple pieces of paper?
Magnetic calendars may hold up multiple pieces of paper but are intended for single pieces of paper or decoration.
Can I create multiple calendars in the same order?
Yes. With our Versions feature, you can print various designs to differ content on multiple custom calendars (personal calendars, business calendars, seasonal calendars, etc.). Our online printing services require your calendars be the same size, but your designs and content can change as much as you like. Learn more: Versions
Saddle Stitch Calendars
What sizes are available?
You can design Saddle Stitch Calendars for online printing in our predetermined sizes or use custom dimensions. When you enter your desired dimensions in the Finished Size fields on the product page, a notification will alert you if they are outside our parameters. In that case, you can request a Custom Quote.
What are the minimum and maximum dimensions?
These are the minimum and maximum dimensions for saddle stitched calendars:
How do I arrange pages for online printing?
For your saddle stitch calendar, please provide one file that includes your cover and interior pages. We request that the file be sent as single pages, in one multi-page PDF. If you cannot combine them into one PDF, be sure that they are named in successive order so we can easily identify how they should be printed. Please include the pages in this order:
- 01_Cover
- 02_January_Photo
- 03_January_Grid
- 04_February_Photo
- 05_February_Grid
- Etc.
It’s very important to provide the interior pages in the order they’ll be read.
Note: Uploading a single-page PDF file does not mean uploading one PDF for each page. It means all the pages in your PDF file should be single pages, not spreads. Learn more: Reader’s Spread vs. Printer’s Spread
What size should my document be in my design file?
Each page of your document should be the same size as what you ordered. For example, if you are ordering a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ calendar, the pages in your document should also be 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″. The pages in your document should also be in the same orientation as the orientation your ordered (e.g., landscape and landscape).
What’s the difference between pages and sheets? Do I include my calendar’s cover when calculating them?
For calendar printing, a page is one side or face of a piece of paper. A sheet is two pages. For example, page one is the front cover, page two is the inside of the front cover, page three is the first interior page, etc. For saddle stitched calendars, please enter the number of pages (not spreads), including any cover pages.
Make sure your document has the same number of pages as what you ordered (this number must be divisible by four). For example, if you order a 16-page calendar, your document should also contain 16 pages. You can add blank pages as necessary to make the page count divisible by four. Learn more: Pages, Sheets & How to Count Them
Do I need to include bleed?
Yes. Please include an 1/8″ bleed on all four sides of the page. Learn more: Bleeds & Borders
What paper stocks are available?
You can print your own calendars in an array of paper stocks, including coated, uncoated and recycled. Learn more: Small Format Paper Stocks, Coated Paper Stocks vs. Uncoated Paper Stocks, Recycled Paper Stocks
What’s the difference between text weight or cover weight stock?
Text weight stocks are lightweight and flexible. Cover weight stocks are more rigid and substantial. When held up to a light, text weight stocks are see-through, while cover weight stocks are not. Learn more: Text Weight vs. Cover Weight
Can you print double-sided?
Yes. Calendar covers can be printed on both sides in black or full-color ink. Just use the Cover Printing Inside and Cover Printing Outside dropdowns on the product page.
For interior pages, it’s assumed you want double-sided printing when you select your ink choice from the Pages Printing dropdown. If you’d like single-sided printing, be sure to include blank pages between the printed pages in your print-ready file. Learn more: Black vs. Full-Color Ink
Can I add coating or laminate to my calendar?
Yes. Whether you’re printing wall calendars or mini calendars, you can add a one-sided UV coating or Soft Touch laminate to the cover only, but either option makes it very difficult to write on your calendars. Learn more: UV Coating, Soft Touch Laminate, Coating vs. Laminate
How many months can my calendar have?
As a premium online printer, Smartpress offers calendar printing in 12 or 18 months. (Note: Page count must be divisible by four.)
If you’d like to customize the months of your calendar (a school calendar that begins in August, a seasonal calendar, fiscal calendar, etc.), please request a Custom Quote.
What resolution should my images/artwork be?
We recommend your artwork have a resolution of 250-300 PPI. We accept artwork files in the following formats: PDF, JPEG and PNG, as well as packaged InDesign and Illustrator files. Learn more: PPI, DPI & Image Resolution, Packaging InDesign Files
Do you offer calendar templates?
Yes. You can find templated layout guides for various calendar sizes under the Project Resources section on the product page.
Does my calendar come with a hole to hang it?
No. However, you can add a dill hole to your calendar with the Drilling Options dropdown on the product page.
Why is it called saddle stitch if the binding has staples?
Saddle stitching refers to the equipment used to create the binding. The sheets are folded and placed in order over a rounded triangle form, or “saddle,” and then stitched together with staples.
Can I create multiple calendars in the same order?
Yes. With our Versions feature, you can print various designs to differ content on multiple calendars (promotional calendars, seasonal calendars, school calendars, etc.). Our online printing services require your calendars be the same size, stock and finish, but your designs and content can change as much as you like. Learn more: Versions
Spiral Coil Calendars
What sizes are available?
You can design Spiral Coil Calendars for online printing in our predetermined sizes or use custom dimensions. When you enter your desired dimensions in the Finished Size fields on the product page, a notification will alert you if they are outside our parameters. In that case, you can request a Custom Quote.
Please note our spiral coil calendars have a maximum bound edge of 12″, whether left side (H) bound or top side (W) bound.
How do I arrange pages for online printing?
For your spiral bound calendar, please provide one file that includes your cover and interior pages. We request that the file be sent as single pages, in one multi-page PDF. If you cannot combine them into one PDF, be sure that they are named in successive order so we can easily identify how they should be printed. Please include the pages in this order:
- 01_Cover
- 02_January_Photo
- 03_January_Grid
- 04_February_Photo
- 05_February_Grid
- Etc.
It’s very important to provide the interior pages in the order they’ll be read.
Note: Uploading a single-page PDF file does not mean uploading one PDF for each page. It means all the pages in your PDF file should be single pages, not spreads. Learn more: Reader’s Spread vs. Printer’s Spread
What’s the difference between pages and sheets? Do I include my calendar’s cover when calculating them?
For calendar printing, a page is one side or face of a piece of paper. A sheet is two pages. For example, page one is the front cover, page two is the inside of the front cover, page three is the first interior page, etc.
For spiral bound calendars, please enter the number of sheets (not pages), including any cover pages. To calculate the number of sheets, divide the number of pages by two. Learn more: Pages, Sheets & How to Count Them
What paper stocks are available?
You can print your own calendars in an array of paper stocks, including coated, uncoated and recycled. Learn more: Small Format Paper Stocks, Coated Paper Stocks vs. Uncoated Paper Stocks, Recycled Paper Stocks
Should I use a text weight or cover weight stock?
This depends on the design of your custom calendars and the aesthetic you want. Text weight stocks are lightweight and flexible. Cover weight stocks are more rigid and substantial. When held up to a light, text weight stocks are see-through, while cover weight stocks are not. Learn more: Text Weight vs. Cover Weight
Can you print double-sided?
Yes. Calendar covers can be printed on both sides in black or full-color ink. Just use the Cover Printing Inside and Cover Printing Outside dropdowns on the product page.
Interior pages can also be printed on both sides. Make your ink choices with the Pages Printing and Pages Printing on Back dropdowns. Learn more: Black vs. Full-Color Ink
Can I add coating or laminate to my calendar?
Yes. You can add a UV coating to select paper stocks for your interior pages, but a coating makes it very difficult to write on your calendars. For your calendar covers, you can add a one-sided UV coating or Soft Touch laminate. Learn more: UV Coating, Soft Touch Laminate, Coating vs. Laminate
How many months can my calendar have?
As a premium online printer, Smartpress offers calendar printing in any number of months.
What resolution should my images/artwork be?
We recommend your artwork have a resolution of 250-300 PPI. We accept artwork files in the following formats: PDF, JPEG and PNG, as well as packaged InDesign and Illustrator files. Learn more: PPI, DPI & Image Resolution, Packaging InDesign Files
Do you offer calendar templates?
Yes. You can find templated layout guides for various calendar sizes under the Project Resources section on the product page.
Does my calendar come with a hole to hang it?
No. However, you can add a drill hole to your calendar with the Drilling Options dropdown on the product page.
What’s the spiral coil made of?
The spiral coil is made of sturdy, durable plastic that allows your pages to fully rotate. It comes in your choice of black or white and along the top or left side of your calendar. If you’d like the coil to be a color other than black or white, please request a Custom Quote.
Can I create multiple calendars in the same order?
Yes. With our Versions feature, you can print various designs to differ content on multiple calendars (promotional calendars, seasonal calendars, school calendars, etc.). Our online printing services require your calendars be the same size, stock and finish, but your designs and content can change as much as you like. Learn more: Versions
Wire Coil Calendar
What sizes are available?
You can design Wire Coil Calendars for online printing in our predetermined sizes or use custom dimensions. When you enter your desired dimensions in the Finished Size fields on the product page, a notification will alert you if they are outside our parameters. In that case, you can request a Custom Quote.
Please note our wire coil calendars have a maximum bound edge of 14″, whether left side (H) bound or top side (W) bound.
How do I arrange pages for online printing?
For your wire bound calendar, please provide one file that includes your cover and interior pages. We request that the file be sent as single pages, in one multi-page PDF. If you cannot combine them into one PDF, be sure that they are named in successive order so we can easily identify how they should be printed. Please include the pages in this order:
- Without wire hanger, with drill hole:
- 01_Cover
- 02_January_Photo
- 03_January_Grid
- 04_February_Photo
- 05_February_Grid
- Etc.
- With wire hanger, without drill hole:
- 01_Cover
- 02_January_Photo_Grid
- 03_February_Photo_Grid
- Etc.
It’s very important to provide the interior pages in the order they’ll be read.
Note: Uploading a single-page PDF file does not mean uploading one PDF for each page. It means all the pages in your PDF file should be single pages, not spreads. Learn more: Reader’s Spread vs. Printer’s Spread
What’s the difference between pages and sheets? Do I include my calendar’s cover when calculating them?
For calendar printing, a page is one side or face of a piece of paper. A sheet is two pages. For example, page one is the front cover, page two is the inside of the front cover, page three is the first interior page, etc.
For wire bound calendars, please enter the number of sheets (not pages), including any cover pages. To calculate the number of sheets, divide the number of pages by two. Learn more: Pages, Sheets & How to Count Them
What paper stocks are available?
You can print your own calendars in an array of paper stocks, including coated, uncoated and recycled. Learn more: Small Format Paper Stocks, Coated Paper Stocks vs. Uncoated Paper Stocks, Recycled Paper Stocks
Should I use a text weight or cover weight stock?
This depends on the design of your custom calendars and the aesthetic you want. Text weight stocks are lightweight and flexible. Cover weight stocks are more rigid and substantial. When held up to a light, text weight stocks are see-through, while cover weight stocks are not. Learn more: Text Weight vs. Cover Weight
Can you print double-sided?
Yes. Calendar covers can be printed on both sides in black or full-color ink. Just use the Cover Printing Inside and Cover Printing Outside dropdowns on the product page.
Interior pages can also be printed on both sides. Make your ink choices with the Pages Printing and Pages Printing on Back dropdowns. Learn more: Black vs. Full-Color Ink
Can I add coating or laminate to my calendar?
Yes. You can add a one-sided UV coating or Soft Touch laminate to the cover only, but either option makes it very difficult to write on your calendars. Learn more: UV Coating, Soft Touch Laminate, Coating vs. Laminate
How many months can my calendar have?
As a premium online printer, Smartpress offers calendar printing in any number of months.
What resolution should my images/artwork be?
We recommend your artwork have a resolution of 250-300 PPI. We accept artwork files in the following formats: PDF, JPEG and PNG, as well as packaged InDesign and Illustrator files. Learn more: PPI, DPI & Image Resolution, Packaging InDesign Files
Do you offer calendar templates?
Yes. You can find templated layout guides for various calendar sizes under the Project Resources section on the product page.
Does my calendar come with a hole to hang it?
No. However, you can add a drill hole and/or a hanger to your calendar with the Drilling Options and Calendar Hanger dropdowns on the product page.
What’s the wire coil made of?
The wire coil is made of sturdy metal that stands up to frequent handling and allows your pages to fully rotate. It comes in your choice of black or white and along the top or left side of your calendar. If you’d like the coil to be a color other than black or white, please request a Custom Quote.
Can I create multiple calendars in the same order?
Yes. With our Versions feature, you can print various designs to differ content on multiple wire-o calendars (promotional calendars, seasonal calendars, school calendars, etc.). Our online printing services require your banners be the same size, stock and finish, but your designs and content can change as much as you like. Learn more: Versions
If you have questions about these calendar printing FAQ or other printing services, please contact customer service.