Calendars - Bespoke or Stock? The Pros & Cons

Gone are the days when you needed a truck load of calendars to justify a fully bespoke calendar.

With the continual improvement in digital print technology, a run of 250 or even 100 is both cost effective and surprisingly easy to produce.

The well-established Transport company featured above have become known for their smart, high quality desk calendars showcasing their impressive fleet of vehicles. For just the cost of a McDonalds meal, this calendar sits proudly on their client’s desk for a whole year; a constant reminder, a silent salesman and a very useful accessory in the office.

So; bespoke or stock calendar? Well, it depends on your business. If you manufacture nuts and bolts, showcasing these on a bespoke calendar will probably be somewhat underwhelming for the recipient, and they may end up either being discarded or left at the bottom of the pile. However, if you Create top-end garden landscapes then this maybe the perfect platform to showcase your business.

Above all, remember your customer will select your calendar to use over against others for the following reasons:  1. The pictures, 2, The layout and functionality of the design and 3, the quality and presentation.

A calendar should provide an escape in the busy high pressure office environment – a reminder of happy holidays, beautiful weather, and stunning scenery. Or stunning architecture, the natural world of wildlife and countryside or transport from a bygone era to provoke conversation and a reminder of childhood memories. Using a professional calendar manufacturer who has done the research, sourced a diverse range of quality images to provide contrasting colours, scenes and locations will ensure your brand is attached to an interesting, sought after and useful product that will stay firmly in front of your clients for a whole year.

So, if you are thinking of going bespoke, is it best to use a commercial printer or a calendar manufacturer? There are pros and cons; A commercial printer may well be cheaper, but may not provide the results you hoped for. They will approach the project thinking primarily of the efficiency of production and economical design work. A calendar manufacturer will approach the project thinking of presentation, desirability, and functionality, and will also likely have templates and scientifically created layouts that can be adapted making it both cost effective and professional. Remember too that you will be able to utilise professional calendar packaging rather than have to use a run-of-the-mill stock envelope or box.

Above all, ensure your precious marketing budget is used on a product that will give you the best return on investment. A quality professional calendar carrying your brand will convey a quality professional statement about your business.

Want to know more? With over 35 years of experience in the corporate calendar market from factory floor to sales and marketing, I may be able to help. Drop me a line or give me a call.

Colin Palmer sales@sterlinggb.com 01563 831111.