Calendarmakers

Calendarmakers are publishers and craftsmen who design, manufacture, and market calendars. The term covers hobbyist binders as well as large publishing houses that combine typography, photography or artwork with date grids. Calendars serve scheduling needs and serve as decorative items.

Historically, calendars have existed for millennia; with the printing press, mass-produced calendars became common in the 18th–19th centuries. The rise of offset and later digital printing enabled economies of scale, allowing image-rich calendars and specialized formats. Perennial favorites include wall calendars and desk calendars.

Production involves concept and design, image selection or artwork licensing, layout, paper choice, printing, binding, and finishing. Common bindings include spiral, wire-o, or stapled. Materials range from recycled papers to coated stocks; sustainability has grown in importance, with FSC-certified papers and minimal packaging.

Types of calendars include wall calendars, desk or calendar pads, pocket calendars, perpetual calendars, and planners combining date grids with scheduling pages. Some calendars feature photography, artwork, or maps, while others emphasize data such as astronomical or organizational information.

Markets include consumer retail, corporate gifts, and educational or cultural organizations. Distribution channels span bookstores, mail-order catalogs, and online platforms. In recent years, digital calendars and apps have complemented physical calendars, and some calendarmakers license imagery from artists and photo agencies to expand offerings.