Building a Realistic Timeline for Bulk Calendar Ordering
If you’re planning to order custom calendars for your small business, it’s easy to look at a quoted turnaround time and assume that’s your whole timeline. It’s not.
With Greenerprinter, printing a run of custom calendars typically runs 2 to 7 business days, depending on the turnaround speed you select. However, that window only starts after your proof is approved and finalized. Everything before that (designing your calendar, collecting and formatting your images, proofing, and approvals) and everything after it (shipping from the printer and mailing to your clients) runs on its own separate clock.
If you only plan around the print window, you’ll consistently run late delivering your calendars by the start of the year. Browse our calendar printing options to see which turnaround speeds are available for your order.
Build in Plenty of Time Before Your Calendar Goes to the Printer
The slowest, least predictable part of a calendar order almost never happens at the press. It happens right in your office! Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to design and prepare your calendar. This includes tasks like:
- Gathering your images
- Making sure all images are formatted correctly
- Designing the layout of your calendar
- Checking margins, bleed, and resolution
- Preparing copy such as captions and days you want to highlight
For full details on this step, check out our complete guide to designing a custom calendar for your business!
Designing and prepping your calendar can take real time, especially if you’re pulling assets from multiple people or departments. Start collecting content earlier than feels necessary. If design isn’t your strong suit or you’re short on time, our design services team can help take that off your plate.
Leave Room for Proofing and Corrections
Once your files are in, you’ll review a proof before anything goes to press. Errors such as a missed date, a color that needs adjusting, or a typo in the fine print are normal, but each round of corrections can add to your timeline.
It’s rare that a proof comes back with zero notes, so be sure to build at least one extra round of proofing into your timeline so a correction doesn’t put you behind the ball. Our proof options page breaks down what to expect at this stage.
Shipping Is Its Own Line Item
Once your calendar is ready to print, it can take up to seven business days before they’re ready to ship. Shipping speed and destination both affect how much buffer you need, and this window is completely separate from production.
Carriers can become bogged down and experience more delays the closer they get to the busy holiday season, so building in extra buffer time rather than cutting it close pays off.
If you’re planning to mail calendars to customers or clients, don’t forget to add in time for that step, too! Your team will need time to put each calendar in an envelope or mailer, apply addresses and postage, and physically deliver them to the carrier of your choice. After that, it can take several days to a week for the calendar to arrive at its final home.
Don’t Just Plan for January. Plan for Q4!
If your calendars are only headed out as a New Year mailer, January is your real deadline. But many businesses benefit from preparing calendars earlier.
Although most of us think of calendars as something that’s only useful in a new year, having them available throughout Q4 can help you get extra mileage out of your order. They work great as event giveaways, trade show swag, or client gifts long before the holidays hit.
Plus, it’s a great way to prevent the unnecessary stress of a tight deadline in December!
A Simple Backward-Planning Timeline for Bulk Calendar Ordering
So, when should you actually start working on your calendar for the coming year? Start with your delivery date and work backward:
- Deliver date – When do calendars need to be in your clients’ hands?
- Minus mailing time – If you’re planning to mail calendars to clients, give your team plenty of time to prep, add addresses, and mail them out.
- Minus shipping time – You may be able to pay extra for expedited shipping, but prepping in advance can deliver significant savings when it comes to bulk shipping.
- Minus printing time – Usually about 2 to 7 business days, depending on turnaround.
- Minus proofing time – Give yourself time for at least one round of proofing, preferably two.
- Minus design and content collection – This depends on your available assets and design capabilities. If you’re bringing in outside help like a photographer or graphic designer, be sure to book them as early as possible!
Working through this list gives you a realistic order date rather than a guess. If your timeline is already tight, get in touch with our team to discuss options!
Ready to Get Started? We Can Help Streamline the Process.
Once you’ve got your dates mapped out, take a look at our calendar options to find the right fit, or request free samples to feel the paper stock before you order. And if you want a full how-to on planning a bulk calendar order for businesses, check out our buyer’s guide to ordering custom calendars in bulk!
Ready to bring your project to life? Greenerprinter offers a full range of sustainable printing options. Explore some of our most popular products:
Calendar Printing
Custom Calendars | Wall Calendars | Saddle-Stitched Calendars
Book & Booklet Printing
Custom Books | Custom Booklets | Saddle-Stitched Booklets | Zines | Catalogs
Brochure Printing
Custom Brochures | Tri-Fold | Bi-Fold | Gate Fold | Z-Fold