Save the Date

Jalbert also mentioned the importance of customizing. “In the promotional market, you will see more creative uses of the imprint area and added features,” she said. “SunGraphix offers custom inserts to create a planner tailored to the end-user, with strong branding and content from the distributor’s client, along with personalization. Don’t we all like to see our name in print?”

4. Power of Four

Both Martin and Finn talked about the value of four-color process imprinting. “In the past, we did primarily foil stamping and simple one-color letterpress printing,” Martin said. “Now, in the digital age, we can put full four-color imprints on some select calendars.

[It’s] great for the real estate and insurance agents that like their faces on items.” Finn believes four-color imprinting is a hit because of its versatility. “End-user-supplied art increasingly contains half-tone and gradient elements, even if it doesn’t have full-color images,” he said. “This type of art can [be] printed without issue using four-color process, but options are very limited in these cases with traditional spot-color printing.”

5. Desk Calendars

Desk calendars might not be as popular as they once were, but Finn and Martin assure there is still a market for them. “Medical appointment desks, and any other work area in homes and businesses, still use a [desk calendar],” Finn said. “However, printed calendars for reference purposes (day of week to date look up) are tremendously successful, if accessible. YAG (Year-At-Glance) calendars are still frequently used in places like medical receptionist desks and other places where appointments are scheduled.”

Martin also explained the importance of a desk calendar. “I personally keep one of our desk calendars right next to my computer,” he said. “In my case, the desk calendar is a reference piece. Your business and social lives will not evolve around the easel-back desk calendar. They are quick, easy access, reference items. You don’t always need to toggle back and forth on your computer when you have the desk calendar right in view. Not to mention, I have never seen the ‘blue screen of death’ on my desk or wall calendar. No spam, no hacking, no pop-up windows, and you only have to update once a year. They aren’t going to be dropped in a puddle or the toilet either, hopefully.”