Whether you’re creating a family calendar that brightens your kitchen or designing a thoughtful gift for someone you love, knowing the size options helps you pick the one that works best. Below, we’ll walk through our most popular calendar sizes so you can find the perfect match for wherever life keeps you organized.
Calendar Sizes
Choosing the right calendar size is key to making your photos stand out and keeping your plans organized. Shutterfly offers a variety of calendar types, each with carefully considered dimensions—from larger wall calendars that make a bold statement to smaller desk and magnet formats that are perfect for everyday reference. Selecting the right size ensures your custom design is both practical and visually striking.
| Calendar Type | Calendar Size (Inches) |
| Wall | 8×11, 12×12 |
| Mouse Pad | 7.75×9.25 |
| Desk | 5×11 |
| Easel | 5×7 |
| Magnet | 3×3 |
| Monthly Planner | 8×5 |
1. Wall Calendars
Perfect for a bold display, wall calendars give you plenty of space to feature a photo for each month and jot down notes for important events. With options like 8×11 and 12×12 inches, these calendars are great for creating a focal point in your home while keeping your schedule visible at a glance.
2. Easel Calendars
Compact and versatile, easel calendars stand upright on a desk or countertop, measuring 5×7 inches. They’re designed for small spaces but still offer enough room to keep track of dates and highlight key memories. Their portable size makes them easy to move around, so you can place them wherever you need a little organizational boost.
3. Desk Calendars
Desk calendars measure 5×11 inches, providing a long, narrow layout that fits neatly alongside your computer or workspace. Each page gives a full month view and a space for a favorite photo, making it easy to glance at upcoming events while working. They’re practical, visually appealing, and designed for daily use.
4. Calendar Magnets
At just 3×3 inches, calendar magnets are ideal for spots that need a tiny but handy reference. Stick them on a fridge, locker, or bulletin board to keep track of the month without taking up much room. Their small size makes them unobtrusive while still functional.
5. Calendar Mousepads
Measuring 7.75×9.25 inches, Shutterfly’s calendar mousepads combine function and fun. You get a full calendar right under your hand while working at your computer, and the surface is perfect for featuring a favorite photo that makes your workspace feel personal.
6. Monthly Planners
Shutterfly’s custom monthly planners measure 8×5 inches and are designed for a quick, at-a-glance look at your schedule. Their compact, horizontal layout makes them easy to tuck into a bag or place on a small desk. Each month can include a photo, but the emphasis is on planning, deadlines, and appointments—ideal for keeping busy months organized.
How to Make a Calendar with Photos
A well-designed calendar does more than mark dates—it showcases your memories in a way that fits your lifestyle and space. When creating a Shutterfly wall, desk, or easel calendar, the process is about making thoughtful choices in layout, design, and timing to ensure your photos shine all year long.
1. Choose the Right Calendar Type
Start by deciding whether a wall, desk, or easel calendar best suits your needs. Wall calendars provide a broad view for shared spaces, while desk and easel calendars are compact, perfect for personal workspaces or countertops. Each type influences how much detail and decoration you can include.
2. Select a Template That Suits Your Style
Browse Shutterfly’s curated templates and consider the visual flow of your photos. Do you want a clean, minimal design that puts the focus on each image, or a playful layout with multiple photo slots per month? Your choice sets the tone for the entire calendar.
3. Determine Start Month and Quantity
Unlike traditional calendars, Shutterfly allows you to start at any month, which can be useful for planning around birthdays, school schedules, or other cycles. Decide how many copies you need for yourself or for gifts.
4. Curate Your Photos Thoughtfully
Choose images that balance visual impact with storytelling. Single-photo layouts highlight a key memory each month, while collage options let you showcase multiple moments. Consider seasonal relevance—sunny beach photos in summer, cozy indoor shots in winter—for added cohesion.
5. Customize Details and Special Dates
Add captions, tweak fonts, or adjust colors to complement your photos. For wall calendars, you can mark birthdays, anniversaries, or milestones with text or images, integrating functionality with personalization. Small design choices can make the calendar feel uniquely yours.
6. Preview Strategically Before Ordering
Take a close look at every month. Check image placement, font readability, and that all special dates are accurate. A careful review ensures that your final calendar is polished, functional, and visually appealing before it arrives.
Final Thoughts On Calendar Sizes
A calendar isn’t just a tool—it’s a way to organize your life while celebrating the moments that matter. The right size and type can transform the way you interact with your photos, your schedule, and your space. Large wall calendars give your favorite memories room to shine, desk and easel formats fit seamlessly into your daily routine, and thoughtful design choices—from layouts to captions to marked special dates—make each month meaningful.
By considering how you’ll use your calendar, which photos tell your story best, and how design choices can enhance both function and beauty, you can create a calendar that’s more than a schedule—it’s a reflection of your life, your style, and the people and moments you value most. The takeaway? A well-planned, personalized calendar isn’t just practical—it’s a keepsake you’ll enjoy all year, every year.
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