When it comes to custom calendar printing, a successful pre-order campaign can mean the difference between breaking even and raising serious funds or brand awareness. Whether you’re creating fundraising calendars for a school, charity or community group, or promotional calendars for your business, launching pre-orders helps you gauge interest, raise upfront funds, and avoid over-ordering.
Here’s how to run a smooth, stress-free pre-order campaign that gets results.
Step 1: Lock in Your Calendar Concept Early
Before launching pre-orders, finalise the key elements of your calendar:
- Theme or purpose – Is it a fundraising calendar, corporate giveaway, or an art-focused calendar showcasing local photography?
- Image source – Will you supply your own images, or choose from an image gallery offered by your custom calendar printing partner?
- Design style – Keep the layout clean, easy to read, and aligned with your branding. Most printers offer free artwork and design assistance.
If you’re creating fundraising calendars, remember to include your logo, slogan, and contact details clearly on each page. Promotional calendars for businesses should do the same—your branding is what makes it an effective year-round marketing tool.
Step 2: Create a Strong Call to Action
Treat your calendar pre-order campaign like a mini product launch. Make your message clear: pre-order now to secure your copy. If there’s limited stock or an early-bird discount, even better—create urgency.
You can also offer package deals like:
- 1 for $15, 2 for $25
- Free gift with orders over a certain amount
- Business sponsorship options on the calendar itself
This is especially helpful when producing promotional calendars in bulk, as the per-unit cost drops significantly.
Step 3: Use Multiple Channels to Promote
To get the word out, use every platform available:
- Social media – Post behind-the-scenes images, countdowns, and order links. Facebook groups and community pages are especially great for fundraising calendars.
- Email newsletters – Include direct links to order and updates about progress.
- Flyers and posters – Perfect for local noticeboards, school newsletters or in-store promotions.
- Website landing page – If you’re a business or charity, add a dedicated page with calendar details, a pre-order button, and FAQs.
High-quality custom calendar printing is a visual product—showcase mock-ups or sample spreads to get people excited.
Step 4: Keep the Ordering Process Simple
Use a platform that makes ordering easy. This could be:
- A Google Form with payment details
- A built-in store on your website
- A crowdfunding-style platform like Pozible or Kickstarter
Make sure to collect the buyer’s name, email, quantity, and any shipping address details. Let people know when they’ll receive their calendar—usually early November for Christmas delivery is ideal.
Step 5: Order in Bulk to Maximise Margins
Once you’ve tallied your pre-orders, add a buffer for extra sales later. Ordering in bulk means a lower cost per calendar, which is crucial for increasing fundraising profits or reducing marketing spend.
Australian printers often include free delivery and artwork, so make sure you work with one that offers this. Many also allow you to reorder in smaller quantities if demand increases.
For promotional calendars, this is your chance to create a high-impact branded gift at a very low cost per exposure—less than a cent per view over 365 days!
Step 6: Deliver and Celebrate
Once your order is printed, package and deliver them as promised. This is especially important for fundraising campaigns—your supporters are also your future repeat customers.
You can also share photos of the finished calendars on social media and tag supporters or sponsors. If you’re a business, this is a great opportunity to thank clients and keep your brand top of mind.
Start Early and Stay Organised!
Launching a pre-order campaign is one of the smartest ways to fund or promote your next custom calendar printing project. Whether you’re designing fundraising calendars for your local community or creating sleek promotional calendars for your brand, pre-orders give you control, upfront cash flow, and valuable insights into demand. With a strong message, clear ordering system, and quality design, your calendar won’t just sit on someone’s desk or wall—it’ll work hard for your cause or brand all year round.
