Designing Custom Calendars is Easy as 1..2..3..

Designing a standard 12 month (saddle stitched) calendar in InDesign:

1. Create a new document with the following specifications



Number of pages: 28

Width: 11"

Height: 8.5"

Margins: .25"

Bleed: .0625"

Explanation of setting:

- All booklets (calendar or otherwise) must be set up as single pages (not printer spreads) hence the 28 page document.

- Margins are used to mark the safe zone area. All non-bleed items (such as text) must be .25" from the trim line.

- If you have background colors or images that need to run right to the trim you must extend those elements 1/16” past the trim on each side to account for the bleed area. 

2. Start designing!

Page 1 and 28 will become the front and back cover
of your calendar. 

The inside pages should follow this pattern:
page 2 design/photo for above January
page 3 January’s calendar
page 4 design/photo for above February
page 5 February’s calendar
... and so on until you get to page 25.

page 26 & 27 are often used for January of the following year or for an view of the entire year (totally your preference though!)

page 28 - The back cover needs to be rotated 180 degrees. It must face the opposite direction from the other pages. The reason is so that the back cover is right side up when the calendar is closed. 

Tips and tools:
- Pre-made  PDF calendars you can just place
into your design: here

– InDesign Calendar Wizard Script: here

- BE MINDFUL of the drill hole location when designing your calendar. The hole falls approximately .37" from the trim. We recommend downloading a template for reference. 

3. Save your document and then export as a PDF (in single page order). 
Your final PDF file should have 28 pages. 

Prefer to have a template? Download our calendar templates here

Digital Printing vs Offset Printing

When someone says they need to get something printed, it sounds simple. There are two different types of printing methods typically used to put ink on paper. They are offset printing and digital printing, both have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the scope of the job or project. We'll go into detail about when you should use offset printing and when you should use digital printing based on the scope of your project.

Offset Printing

Offset printing is a process that involves transferring an image from a plate, to a rubber blanket, then to the paper. Offset printing is used for magazines, newspapers, brochures, stationary, booklets, etc. It is the ideal print solution when you need a large volume and high quality print. Offset presses have four print heads that each contain a different color of ink. On a four-color press, one print head contains Cyan ink, another contains Magenta ink, another contains yellow ink and the another contains black ink. Hence, CMYK color profile for print. Once print files are received, they are "ripped", which produces four-color negative plates, one plate for each color. In reality we are digitally separating your file into these plates to setup for the offset printing process. Once we affix your plates to the print heads each with it's own color, we then align the plates and begin printing your job.

Digital Printing

Digital printing uses a digital based image to print it directly onto paper. Digitally printing doesn't require changing plates, this allows a faster turn-around time and a lower cost, but there can be a slight loss of fine image detail. Digital printing is the ideal solution for lower quantity runs because you don't have to pay for plate set-up fees. Digital printing is also used for variable data, which allows you to personalize each print to the person who will receive them.

Offset Printing

• Low Cost Large Runs
• Spot Color Matching
• High Image Quality
• Works on many different materials
• More expensive and time consuming

Digital Printing

• Low Cost Short Runs
• Variable Data
• Less Steps
• Allows for customization

If you have questions whether your job requires offset printing or digital printing, give us a call (800.456.8238) or submit a QuickQuote on our website  – we'll be happy to help!