A straight-up guide to getting your work into the world.
Let’s be real – putting your art into a calendar is a huge project. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes prep work that happens before you finally get to share the finished product. But honestly? Seeing your work on someone’s wall for 365 days is a pretty incredible feeling.
I’ve been through the thick of this process many times, so I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned to make your experience a little smoother.
1. Timing is everything
The biggest hurdle most people hit is starting too late. If you want to have calendars ready for the following year, you really want to be wrapping up your calendar design by June.
I know, it feels a long way off! But giving yourself that breathing room means you aren’t rushing the final proof or stressing about shipping delays. It lets the process be more about the joy of creating and less about the stress of a deadline. Most importantly, it gives you a solid window to market your work. By having your samples ready early, you can start sharing “behind-the-scenes” peeks and opening pre-orders while your audience is actually looking for them. It lets the whole process be more about the joy of creating and less about the stress of a last-minute deadline.
2. Skip the “whoops” moments with a solid template
I’ve spent years designing calendars for a major publisher and running a custom calendar service for artists, and the one thing I know for sure is that manual date-entry is a recipe for a headache. One missed date and the whole year is out!
While I’m always available for custom calendar design if you want a completely hands-off experience, I also wanted to offer a more accessible DIY option. I’ve taken the exact professional framework I use for my publishing work and turned it into a InDesign Template. It’s got all the technical bits – 300 DPI, proper bleed, and clean typography – already sorted, so you can produce a shop-ready product without the custom price tag.
Want the shortcut? You can grab the template directly from my store. It includes a Start Guide PDF that covers everything from print specs and margins to technical FAQs and a final “pre-flight” checklist to ensure your file is perfect before it hits the press.
3. Finding a home for your shop
When it comes to selling, you don’t need a massive, complicated storefront.
I’m a big fan of Gumroad and Big Cartel for artists starting out. both platforms are simple, transparent, and they handle the tricky global tax stuff for you.
| Feature | Gumroad | Big Cartel | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Digital assets & easy global tax | Small collections | Scaling a full retail brand |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 (up to 5 items) | From ~$39 USD |
| Transaction Fee | 10% flat | Standard processor fees only | 0% (with Shopify Payments) |
| Setup Speed | Minutes | Quick | Hours to Days |
Calling all New Zealand artists
While I work with creators globally, I also produce a dedicated New Zealand Art Calendar in partnership with BrownTrout Publishers. I’m always looking for fresh talent to feature, and successful artists get paid to appear in the collection. It’s a wonderful way to get your work onto the shelves of stationery stores across New Zealand and into homes nationwide. If you are a New Zealander, I’d love to see your work!
Let’s do this together
Whether you just need a professional template to get you started or you want to chat about a fully custom design project, I’m here for it. The process of selecting pieces and publishing is a journey, and I’m always happy to chat about how to make your calendar look incredible.
About me
I’ve been working on international brands to create custom calendars and design assets for what feels like eons – think Bluey, Peppa Pig, Forever Friends, or Doctor Who. As the founder of Elastic Design, I’ve spent over 20 years bridging the gap between high-level strategy and hands-on creativity.
While calendars are a huge part of what I do, my work spans the full creative spectrum – from building bold, “no-fuss” branding and digital design to executing marketing strategies that actually move the needle.
By purchasing my templates or working with me on a project, you’re getting two decades of professional production experience and technical know-how. Whether I’m designing for a household name or helping you build your own brand from the ground up, my goal is to make your creative journey as smooth, transparent, and successful as possible.
