Everything about personalised calendars

At Stockmans we have been guiding you for over 150 years in choosing, designing and having personalised calendars, corporate business planners and customised notebooks printed. On this page we bring together the answers to the most frequently asked questions about desk calendars, wall calendars, 3- and 4-month calendars, year planners, customised calendars and everything related to them.

Can’t find your question here? Feel free to contact us at calendars@stockmans.be or call +32 3 645 68 60. We’re happy to help.

Ordering, submitting and planning

The process consists of four steps. First, we’ll discuss your requirements together: the type of calendar (desk calendar, wall calendar with Wire-O binding, 3- or 4-month calendar, annual planner, or custom calendar), the desired size, the print run, and the desired finish.

Next comes the design. You can submit a ready-to-print PDF, use one of our InDesign templates, or let our creative team handle everything. We’ll then send you a proof for approval. Once you’ve approved it, the calendar goes into production and is delivered to the address you provided.

For personalised calendars that need to be ready in September or October — the classic start of the calendar season — we recommend ordering by June or July at the latest. For fully customised calendars, where the design needs to be built up entirely from scratch, it is wise to get in touch as early as April or May. Desk calendars and wall calendars with Wire-O are the most popular for the end-of-year period. By ordering early you avoid production stress and have sufficient time for revisions and print proofs.

For logos, it is best to submit a vector file: EPS, PDF, or AI (Adobe Illustrator). Vector files are scalable without any loss of quality and guarantee sharp printing on any size, from a compact Phoebe desk calendar (75×105 mm) to a large Pontus annual planner (700×1000 mm).
Please submit photos and other images in JPEG or TIFF format, with a resolution of at least 300 dpi at the final print size. Images from the internet are typically 72 or 96 dpi and are unsuitable for print.
Are you unsure about the quality of your files? Just send them to us and we’ll check them for you free of charge.

The minimum order quantity varies by model and calendar type. For most personalized desk calendars and Wire-O wall calendars, production starts at 100 or 250 units.

Customised calendars or models with exclusive finishes, such as foil stamping or spot UV varnish, may require higher minimum order quantities.

Please contact us for a free, customized quote. We always charge a fair price based on your desired print run, size, and finish.

Please submit your address list as an Excel or Access file. Make sure the data is neatly organized across the appropriate columns: company name, contact person, street, number, ZIP code, city, and country.

We use your database for distribution and mailing lists and to label shipping boxes. This way, you don’t have to send anything yourself.

Yes. With our one-to-one personalization (as seen with the Euterpe desk calendar), it’s possible to Customise each calendar individually Customise the recipient’s name, company, or a personal message. This is a powerful tool for companies that want to make a strong impression on their customers or partners.

We process your mailing list, print the materials, and mail them to each recipient. We take care of everything for you.

Products, formats and finishes

In practice, these terms are interchangeable. A desk calendar or table calendar sits on a desk and has a stand to keep it upright. A triangular calendar or tent calendar refers to the triangular shape of the model when viewed from the side: the spine forms the apex of the triangle, while the front and back form the sloping sides.

At Stockmans, we offer several models in this style: the Galatea (215×105 mm), the Panopea (215×160 mm), the Lotis (110×180 mm), and other sizes. All feature a luxurious metal Wire-O binding and a sturdy cardboard base.

Our luxury multi-month calendars (Hyperion and the redesigned Hermes) are available in a larger format with higher-quality paper and printing specifications. They are ideal as high-quality corporate gifts for demanding industries such as shipping, logistics, and construction.

 

The Hyperion (345×805 mm) displays 3 months across 3 separate calendar blocks. The updated Hermes (330×700 mm) displays 4 months across 2 blocks of 2 months each, with an additional space in between for a commercial message or slogan. The Theia (345×985 mm) displays 4 months across 4 separate calendar blocks.

 

The budget 3-month calendar (Alpheus, 285×315 mm) offers the same features—a clear quarterly overview, date slider, and customizable header—at a lower unit cost. Ideal for large print runs. The same applies to the Zelus, the budget model for 4 months.

Wire-O is a double spiral binding that is threaded through holes along the spine of a calendar or notebook. This allows the calendar to lie completely flat, and the pages can be turned 360 degrees without the binding breaking or warping.

 

Stockmans uses exclusively metal Wire-O, never plastic spiral. Metal Wire-O is more durable, gives a more exclusive appearance and remains flat and functional even with intensive use. For customised calendars we offer Wire-O in various colours: standard silver or black, but also white, gold, bronze or bold colours matching your corporate identity.

Our standard models for Wire-O wall calendars are the Hemera (343×330 mm), the Hera ribbon calendar (80×670 mm), and the xSensual nude calendars (330×470 mm, 6 or 12 pages). In addition, A4 and A3 sizes are available for custom art calendars and photo calendars.

 

Would you like a wall calendar in an unconventional format? Through our customised calendars virtually any format is possible, including XXL wall calendars. Contact us for the possibilities.

A ribbon calendar (also known as a narrow calendar or slim wall calendar) is an extremely narrow calendar in portrait format. Our Hera model measures 80×670 mm and is ideal for narrow spaces such as next to a door, inside a cabinet, or in a waiting room where space is limited. It also makes for an eye-catching and unusual promotional gift that draws attention.

Both terms refer to the same product: a wall planner or wall calendar that displays all 12 months of the year on a single sheet. At Stockmans, we use the term “year planner.” “Annoplanner” is a synonym that is also commonly used in the industry.

 

Our annual planners are available in two sizes: Phanes (400×600 mm) and Pontus (700×1000 mm). They can be optionally laminated for added durability. Ideal for offices, warehouses, or manufacturing environments.

For Customised calendars Stockmans offers a full range of finishing techniques:

  • Foil stamping in gold, silver, copper, or bronze: a metallic sheen on your logo or cover for a sophisticated look.
  • Spot UV varnish: a glossy layer of varnish applied to specific details (your logo, a photo element), creating a striking contrast against a matte background.
  • Blind embossing or debossing: your logo or text is pressed into the paper so it can be felt, without using ink.
  • Soft-touch laminate: a velvety-soft finish that protects the calendar from fingerprints and scratches.
  • Colored metal Wire-O: white, gold, bronze, or bright colors to match your corporate identity.
  • Custom die-cuts: covers or pages cut into a specific shape that matches your product or logo.
  • Custom luxury packaging: a personalized shipping box or wrap for an unforgettable unboxing experience for your business partner.

A desk pad (also known as a desk planner) is a large paper notepad that lies flat on the desk. It is typically A2 size (594×420 mm) or 50×35 cm. Unlike a desk calendar, the desk pad does not stand upright but serves as a writing surface with space for planning.

 

Stockmans' desk pads include a year overview with Benelux and French public holidays, in Dutch and French, with space for your logo and ample room for notes. They are available in blocks of 25 or 50 sheets, on a sturdy grey cardboard backing board, with an optional PVC flap and transparent protective strip.

Personalisation, design and prepress

On most models, the following areas are Customisable: the header or title card (at the top or bottom of the calendar block), the cover, the monthly photos, promotional messages or special offers for each month, inserts with your contact information, and the color of the metal Wire-O binding.

 

With Customised calendars virtually everything can be customized: the size, the fold type, the order of elements, the paper type, the finish, and the packaging.

 

The calendar blocks themselves (the date and holiday grid) cannot be customized in the standard models. However, you can choose between a national calendar (Benelux) or an international calendar, and between a gray or light blue background.

Yes. There are three ways to work with Stockmans:

  1. You provide a ready-to-print high-resolution PDF. We'll print it for you
  2. You work with an advertising or design agency. We provide ready-to-use InDesign templates that include the specific country combinations, holidays, and dimensions for each model.
  3. You don’t have a background in graphic design. Our creative team will handle everything for you: from concept and photography to typography, color proofs, and final layout for print.

PMS stands for Pantone Matching System, the global standard color system in the graphic arts industry. Just as with RAL for paint, each color has a unique PMS code. When you provide your brand colors as PMS values, this ensures identical color reproduction on every printed sheet, regardless of the printing material or press.

 

Does your company have a strict corporate identity? If so, ask your graphic designer or advertising agency to include the PMS codes for your brand colors in the file delivery. This is the easiest way to avoid color discrepancies between your digital materials and your printed calendars.

Any language is possible, including Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, or other non-Latin scripts. We ensure proper formatting and placement within the design. As standard, we provide the Benelux calendar in Dutch and French. For international calendars, we offer combinations of multiple languages, including public holidays for each country.

Yes, absolutely. At Stockmans, you can choose any month to start. Popular options include:

  • School year calendars (starting in September, ending in August of the following year)
  • Summer calendars (starting in July or August)
  • Calendars that align with the Chinese New Year
  • Calendars based on special events (trade shows, sporting events, anniversaries)
  • Birthday calendars without a year, valid all year round
  • Perpetual calendars without dates, for special projects

Here is an overview of the technical file submission requirements for printed calendars:

  • File format: PDF with embedded fonts and high resolution (print-ready PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4)
  • Image resolution: 300 dpi at the final print size
  • Color mode: CMYK (not RGB). RGB files are automatically converted, but this may result in color differences.
  • Bleed: at least 3 mm on all sides around the trim size
  • Safety zone: Keep text and logos at least 5 mm away from the cut line
  • Fonts: fully embedded in the PDF or converted to curves/outlines

Not sure about your files? Feel free to send them to us, and we’ll check them for you at no charge.

Sustainability, quality and production

Yes. Stockmans prints on FSC-certified paper as standard. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council and guarantees that the paper comes from responsibly managed forests. For those who want to go a step further, we also offer a selection of recycled paper.

 

Our facilities in Duffel are equipped with 2,800 m² of solar panels that cover a full 95% of our energy needs with 100% green electricity. When you choose Stockmans, you’re not only choosing quality, but also a responsible manufacturing partner.

A paper calendar lasts longer than most disposable products and, provided it is printed on FSC-certified or recycled paper, can be an environmentally responsible choice. A printed calendar lasts a full year, is used every day, and requires no electricity or screen.

 

What’s more, it’s a promotional gift with an exceptionally low cost per touchpoint: if you divide the price of the calendar by the number of times your customer looks at it in a year, it’s one of the most cost-effective marketing tools available.

We offer a wide selection of high-quality paper types, depending on the model and the desired look:

  • Satin-finished or coated paper: for vibrant colors and detailed photos on wall calendars and photo calendars.
  • Uncoated paper (offset): for a natural, matte finish on desk calendars and Desk pads.
  • Recycled paper: for sustainable projects. Available upon request.
  • Premium paper for customised calendars: from luxurious textured papers to unique materials for the most exclusive designs.

We work with specialized suppliers to source Swedish and Italian paper for Plannerand notebooks.

Yes. Stockmans is part of the Graphius Group, the largest sheetfed printer in the Benelux. Through the Graphius Group, you have access to a full range of high-end printed materials, produced using the most advanced techniques and meeting the highest quality standards. In addition to personalized calendars, business Planner, and customized Wire-O notebooks, we also offer the following through the group:

  • Promotional printed materials: posters, flyers, brochures, leaflets, folders
  • Business printing: letterhead, business cards, manuals
  • Digital printing for short runs and personalized one-to-one printing
  • Art Books: exclusive art books and world-class publications (see stockmans.be/art-books-and-publications)
  • Packaging, labels, catalogs, and magazines through the broader Graphius Group

Want to learn more about the full range of services offered by Graphius Group? Visit graphiusgroup.com or graphius.com

The key difference lies in the combination of craftsmanship, material expertise, and personalized advice. Online print shops work with fixed templates and standardized specifications. Stockmans guides you from the initial consultation through to delivery, checks your files for printing issues, prepares a proof, and actively works with you to find the best solution for your budget and objectives.

 

In addition, Stockmans uses only metal Wire-O rings (never plastic), high-quality paper, and exclusive finishing techniques that are not available at typical print shops.

Why a corporate calendar is still one of the strongest marketing tools

The rise of smartphones, digital Planner, and online planning tools has not replaced the paper calendar—quite the opposite. Research consistently shows that physical products leave a stronger emotional impression than digital messages. A desk calendar or wall calendar is tangible, requires no batteries, and doesn’t get lost amid notifications or advertisements.

 

In a world full of digital noise, a well-designed company calendar offers a moment of calm: it hangs on the wall or sits on the desk, day after day, without being intrusive. That’s a form of communication that digital media struggle to match.

The return on investment for a personalized calendar is exceptionally high. Do the math: a high-quality desk calendar costs an average of a few euros each for a print run of 500. That calendar sits on your client’s desk for an average of 220 business days. That works out to a cost of less than two cents per interaction with your brand.

 

No other form of advertising—whether digital banners, sponsored posts, or printed flyers—achieves such a low cost per contact. Furthermore, the calendar is in high demand and actively used, which positively influences brand perception.

That depends on your target audience and the message you want to convey. Here are a few guidelines:

  • Desk calendar: ideal for office environments. Your brand is visible every day on your decision-maker’s desk. Models such as the Galatea, Panopea, or Cleta photo calendar are popular choices.
  • Wire-O wall calendar (photo calendar): ideal for businesses with visually appealing content (photography, projects, products). Hang it in a prominent spot in the office or workshop.
  • 3- or 4-month calendar: popular in logistics, construction, transportation, and industry. The date slider and quarterly overview make it a functional must-have.
  • Annual planner (wall planner): ideal for planning-oriented environments such as offices, factories, and distribution centers.
  • Customized calendar: the most powerful statement. A completely unique concept that really stands out and is kept for a long time.

A personalized calendar offers twelve opportunities a year to tell your brand story. Here are a few proven strategic approaches:

  • Project Calendar: Feature a different completed project, building, vehicle, or product each month. This allows you to showcase your achievements.
  • Team Calendar: Feature an employee or team each month. Human, personal, and memorable.
  • Seasonal themes: Link each month to a seasonal message, a promotion, or a holiday season.
  • Before & After: Show the progress of a project month by month. Ideal for architects, contractors, and renovation companies.
  • Product Calendar: Feature a different product or service each month. The start of every month is a new sales opportunity.

Custom calendars are ordered by a wide range of industries. The most popular are:

  • Logistics and transportation: 3- and 4-month calendars for planning routes, deliveries, and holiday periods.
  • Construction and real estate: wall calendars featuring project photos and annual planners for site scheduling.
  • Industry and manufacturing: annual planners and 4-month calendars for production planning and team coordination.
  • Financial and legal services: luxury desk calendars as high-quality business gifts.
  • Retail and FMCG: desk calendars and wall calendars featuring a different product promotion each month.
  • Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: wall calendars, desk calendars, and annual planners for schedules and planning.
  • Agencies and advertising firms: customised calendars as a calling card for their creative craftsmanship.

A nude calendar (also known as a sensual calendar or xSensual calendar) is a wall calendar featuring sensual or erotic images. Stockmans offers two standard models: the xSensual 6 (6 pages, 330×470 mm) with one photo every two months, and the xSensual 12 (12 pages) with one photo per month.

 

You provide your own images. The header and cover can be Customisable your logo or name. The calendar blocks listing holidays are included. Nude calendars are packaged and delivered discreetly.

Additional questions

Yes, at Stockmans, you are completely free to choose the starting month of a calendar. School year calendars (September to August), summer calendars, calendars that start after Chinese New Year, or calendars tied to a specific event are all possible. Birthday calendars without a year designation that are valid all year round are also an option. We have even created perpetual calendars for special projects.

Yes. Stockmans supplies loose 3- and 4-month calendar blocks (calendars) with a pre-installed red date slider to printing companies, advertising agencies, and resellers. The calendar blocks are flawlessly printed with a multilingual calendar and all Benelux and European holidays. They are precisely cut and glued and ready for mounting on your own printed backing sheets or header cards. We maintain large inventories for fast delivery.

Stockmans is the leading specialist in personalized calendars for the Benelux region, but our offerings go beyond that. We also produce:

  • Custom Wire-O Notebooks: Luxury notebooks as Exclusive Corporate Gifts
  • Business Plannerwith personalized covers: industrial planners, retail planners, and office planners
  • Custom-made Wire-O Planner: fully personalized interior and cover
  • Desk pads: large paper notepads with an annual overview
  • Art Books: Exclusive Art Books and Publications (Stockmans Art Books)
  • Through Graphius Group: a full range of high-end printed materials, packaging, labels, catalogs, and magazines — graphiusgroup.com

You are always welcome at our location in Duffel. Our team would be happy to meet with you for a no-obligation consultation about your project, big or small. Whether you’re looking for a simple desk calendar with your logo or want to develop a fully customized concept, we’ll take the time to discuss your needs and advise you on the best solution.

 

You can find us at Nijverheidsstraat 6, BE-2570 Duffel. You can also contact us at kalenders@stockmans.be or call us at +32 3 645 68 60.

Calendars fully customised with your own photos

The Visio calendars are a new product from Stockmans that allow you to provide your own photos for the monthly pages. Instead of pre-printed images, you supply your own visual content: product photos, project images, team photos, or personal memories. Stockmans then prints them on a 330 x 470 mm wall calendar with its trusted quality and metal Wire-O binding.

 

The Visio line consists of two formats: the Visio 12, which has twelve pages (one personal photo per month), and the Visio 6, which has six pages (one personal photo every two months). Both feature a personalized cover and a divider with your logo.

The Cleta Your Story is the fully personalized version of the popular Cleta Photo Calendar. With the standard Cleta Photo Calendar, you choose from seven pre-designed styles and personalize a fixed area with your logo and visuals. With the Cleta Your Story, you provide twelve photos yourself—one for each month—and Stockmans builds the calendar entirely around your own images.

 

The format is identical to the standard Cleta: landscape A5 (210 x 148 mm), metal Wire-O binding, post-compliant. Ideal for mailing to your business contacts using your own mailing list.

The product pages for the Visio 6, Visio 12, and Cleta Your Story feature an upload button. You can upload your photos directly using that button. Our team will then contact you to confirm your order and production.
Technical requirements for your photos:

  • Minimum resolution: 300 dpi at the print size
  • File format: JPEG or TIFF
  • Color mode: preferably CMYK; RGB will be converted but may result in slight color variations
  • Visio 6: 6 photos + possibly 1 for the cover
  • Visio 12 and Cleta Your Story: 12 photos + 1 for the cover (if desired)

Are you unsure about the quality of your photos? Send them to kalenders@stockmans.be and we’ll check them for you for free.

These products are suitable for a wide audience:

  • Companies that want to display their projects, products, or team on their clients’ desks or walls for twelve months.
  • Photographers, architects, and creative professionals who want to turn their portfolio into a unique promotional gift.
  • Companies with a strong visual brand that want to move away from generic designs.
  • Individuals who want to create a personalized calendar featuring family, travel, or event photos.

Yes. The cover is fully customizable for the Visio 6, Visio 12, and Cleta Your Story calendars. You can submit your own cover design or choose a standard Stockmans cover featuring your logo and name. For the Visio calendars, the divider (330 x 50 mm) is also Customisable your logo or company name.

For the Visio 12 and Cleta Your Story, you’ll need 12 photos; for the Visio 6, you’ll need 6. Do you have too few photos, or are some of the files not high-resolution enough? Our creative team can help you with:

  • A free file review: we’ll look over your photos and let you know which ones are suitable for printing.
  • Recommendations for alternative images or additional photography.
  • Creative solutions such as repeated images, fill-in-the-blank pages, or a combination of photos and illustrations.

Please contact us at kalenders@stockmans.be or +32 3 645 68 60 for personalized advice.

Why choose Stockmans as your calendar specialist?

For over 150 years, Stockmans has been the leading provider of personalized calendars in the Benelux. Here’s a summary of what sets us apart:

  • Over 150 years of experience in calendar production, based in Duffel.
  • Part of Graphius Group, the largest sheetfed printer in the Benelux: the expertise, technology, and resources of an international printing group, combined with the focus and personal approach of a calendar specialist.
  • Metal Wire-O only: never plastic, always exclusive.
  • Fully customized: from minor modifications to a standard model to the most ambitious custom-made concept.
  • Sustainable production: FSC-certified paper, green energy from our own solar panels, eco-friendly materials.
  • Personalized advice and support: from concept to delivery.
  • Wide range: desk calendars, wall calendars, 3- and 4-month calendars, year planners, customised calendars, Visio calendars with your own photos, desk pads, calendar blocks for resellers, agendas and notebooks.

Ready to have your calendar made? Contact us today at calendars@stockmans.be or call +32 3 645 68 60.

We respond quickly and are happy to work with you to find a solution.

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