Our Print Calendar: What You Need and When You Need It Throughout the Year
Your Print Calendar: What You Need and When You Need It Throughout the Year
A strategic print calendar is the difference between smooth launches and last-minute chaos. It keeps budgets on track, ensures campaigns land on time and helps marketing teams stay ahead instead of constantly reacting.
Below is a month-by-month guide for planning print, packaging, POS, signage and campaign materials, based on real-world production timelines from brands and retailers.
Why You Need a Print Calendar
A print calendar gives you:
- Clear seasonal timelines
- Predictable budgeting
- Fewer rush charges
- Better artwork approvals
- Smoother procurement
- Less stress
As strategist Sarah Gibbons notes, “Campaign success lives or dies by operational planning, not creativity alone.”
Your Month-by-Month Print Calendar
January – Plan, budget and review
- Finalise the year’s marketing calendar
- Plan Q2/Q3 packaging changes
- Audit print assets
- Start briefing designers
- Book long-lead print slots
This is your calm-before-the-storm month.
February – Packaging updates & spring campaigns
- Lock in packaging redesigns
- Begin artwork for spring promotions
- Start structural work for summer POS
- Review label and insert inventory
If you leave this to March, you’re behind.
March – Spring production
- Finalise spring artwork
- Print POS, brochures, catalogues
- Brief printers for summer campaigns
- Begin asset creation for June-July launches
March is a core production month.
April – Outdoor and summer POS
- Produce FDUs
- Print outdoor signage
- Prepare event graphics
- Run test prints for packaging
Everyone wants summer print in April – plan early.
May – Summer rollout
- Deliver summer POS
- Print booklets and promotions
- Prepare seasonal packaging
- Begin Autumn planning
May determines how smooth Q3 will be.
June – Begin Christmas production
Yes, really. Christmas begins now.
- Start festive packaging concepts
- Begin POS prototypes
- Order premium finishes
- Lock in retailer deadlines
July – Back-to-school & Autumn
- Lock autumn artwork
- Produce back-to-school displays
- Prepare Q4 packaging
- Plan Black Friday campaigns
August – Christmas production
- Print festive packaging
- Produce Christmas POS
- Build FDUs
- Ship to warehouses
This month breaks the unprepared.
September – Christmas rollout
- Deliver festive POS
- Complete winter materials
- Plan Q1 packaging
Retail floors switch to winter by late September.
October – Black Friday
- Print Black Friday signage
- Finalise spring packaging
- Produce winter catalogues
October is the highest-pressure print month of the year.
November – Final seasonal sprint
- Christmas toppers
- Print winter offers
- Prepare Q1 campaign materials
- Brief January launches
December – Review, audit and reset
- Audit physical assets
- Review print spend
- Prepare Q1 changes
- Update your print calendar
Once the mince pies hit the office, nobody makes good decisions, finish early.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting artwork too late
- Forgetting about finishing lead times
- Assuming POS doesn’t need engineering
- Overlooking retailer deadlines
- Not consulting printers early
A well-structured print calendar keeps campaigns on track and budgets under control. The brands that plan early win the retail race, the ones who don’t are usually sprinting in October.
Want to build a stress-free print calendar?
Why This Calendar Changes Everything
No More Last-Minute Panic
By planning ahead, you’ll avoid rush charges and ensure your campaigns land on time, every time.
Budget with Confidence
See the full year at a glance and allocate resources strategically across quarters.
Never Miss a Seasonal Opportunity
Christmas planning starts in June (yes, really). Black Friday prep begins in July. This calendar ensures you’re always ahead
of the curve.
Better Stakeholder Alignment
Share this calendar with your team, clients, or procurement partners to keep everyone on the same page.
Quick Tips for Using Your Calendar
1. Start with Q1 Planning – January is your foundation month. Use it wisely.
2. Mark Your Critical Dates – Add retailer deadlines and internal review dates
3. Build in Buffer Time – Always add 2-3 weeks for artwork approvals
4. Review Monthly – Check upcoming tasks every month to stay proactive
5. Share with Your Team – Export to Google Calendar and share with stakeholders
Ready to Transform Your Print Planning?
This calendar is your roadmap to stress-free print planning. But remember, planning is just the first step. Executing with
the right partner makes all the difference.
Need help bringing your print projects to life?
The McGowans team specialises in packaging, POS, signage, and large-format printing. We’ll help you meet every
deadline on this calendar, without the stress.
Let’s Plan Your Year Together → let’s talk!
The McGowans team can help you map your year, plan your campaigns and avoid last-minute emergencies.
FAQs
1. Why do print timelines vary?
Different print methods and finishes change lead times.
2. When should Christmas packaging be planned?
June – August is ideal.
3. Can digital print handle short seasonal runs?
Yes – perfect for agile brands.
4. Do I need packaging prototypes?
Always. They prevent expensive issues.
5. What’s the biggest cause of delays?
Slow artwork approval.
6. Can McGowans help plan my print calendar?
Yes – we help brands build full-year print plans.
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