Why Advertising Calendars Lead the Way in Sustainability

When businesses think about sustainable marketing, they often look for eco-friendly promotional products. But let's ask some key questions:

What promotional product can be made from recycled materials?
What promotional product can be completely recycled?
What promotional product is mostly made from biodegradable materials?
What promotional product is reused over and over and over?
What promotional product has very little wasted advertising?
What promotional product has a very low cost per impression?
And what promotional product is the greenest?

The answer to all of these? Advertising Calendars.

Sustainability in print marketing isn’t just about using recycled materials—it’s about designing for recyclability, minimizing waste, and maximizing efficiency. That’s exactly what advertising calendars do. At Tru Art Advertising Calendars, we’ve embraced eco-friendly printing innovations to ensure that our calendars not only promote your brand effectively but also support sustainable business practices. Let’s explore why advertising calendars stand out as the greenest promotional product.

100% Recyclable: Designed for a Full Life Cycle

Unlike many promotional items that contain plastics, mixed materials, or coatings that make them difficult to recycle, advertising calendars are designed with end-of-life sustainability in mind. Every component of our calendars—from the paper to the binding materials—is completely recyclable.

This means that after providing 365 days of brand exposure, your custom calendar doesn’t end up in a landfill. Instead, it goes back into the recycling stream, supporting the circular economy and reducing waste.

Made from Biodegradable Materials

Unlike plastic promotional products that take hundreds of years to break down, advertising calendars are primarily made from paper — a naturally biodegradable material. Over time, if a calendar isn’t recycled, it will naturally decompose, reducing its environmental impact compared to non-biodegradable alternatives.

Long-Term Use = Less Waste

Many promotional products are used once and discarded. Pens run out of ink, tote bags wear out, and plastic items often end up forgotten. But an advertising calendar? It’s used every single day for an entire year.

That means less turnover, less waste, and a more efficient use of materials. A single calendar delivers continuous marketing value, ensuring that your brand stays in front of customers without creating excessive waste.

Eco-Friendly Printing: Reducing Waste and Emissions

At Tru Art Advertising Calendars, we take sustainability a step further by utilizing environmentally responsible printing methods, including:

Soy-Based Inks — Traditional inks contain petroleum-based solvents that release harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Soy-based inks are a renewable alternative that produce brighter, more vibrant colors while reducing emissions.

UV Inks — These inks cure instantly under ultraviolet light, eliminating the need for heat-based drying or solvents that contribute to air pollution. The result? Less energy consumption and a cleaner printing process.

Production Inkjet Printing — Our newest, cutting-edge digital printing technology eliminates the need for traditional printing plates and harsh chemicals. By printing directly onto the paper, we reduce material waste while offering more efficient short-run production.

These sustainable practices reduce waste, lower emissions, and improve efficiency, making your custom calendars even greener.

Minimal Wasted Advertising, Maximum Impact

One of the most overlooked aspects of sustainability in marketing is efficiency. How much of your promotional material is actually being seen?

Many promotional products get tucked away in a drawer, used only occasionally, or even thrown out without delivering real value. But an advertising calendar? It’s displayed in a visible place, providing daily exposure for an entire year. That means:

 • Virtually no wasted advertising — Every page turn is an engagement opportunity.
 • Lower cost per impression — More views per dollar compared to almost any other promo item.
 • Sustained brand visibility — 12 months of exposure with a single product.

Few other promotional products can match that level of impact while maintaining such a low environmental footprint.

Go Green with Tru Art Advertising Calendars

Sustainability in marketing isn’t just a trend—it’s a responsibility. With 100% recyclable materials, biodegradable paper, and eco-friendly printing, advertising calendars are the greenest promotional product choice.

At Tru Art, we’re committed to helping businesses make smarter, more sustainable branding decisions. When you choose our calendars, you’re choosing a product that works for your brand, your audience, and the environment.

Ready to make an eco-friendly impact with your next promotional campaign? Contact us today to explore our sustainable calendar options!

Tru Art Advertising Calendars Enhances Calendar Printing with Production Inkjet Technology

Iowa City, IA — March 25, 2025 — Tru Art Advertising Calendars (ASI 92255, PPAI 113720), a premier supplier of custom promotional calendars, is taking calendar printing to the next level with the investment of a new production inkjet digital press. This cutting-edge technology delivers exceptional print quality, greater creative freedom, and expanded personalization options to help brands stay in front of their audience all year long.

“We’re always looking for ways to help our customers stand out. As your calendar experts, we can now produce more calendars, more efficiently — without sacrificing quality. Whether it’s unique designs, specialty materials, or small custom runs, this new press gives us even more ways to help businesses make a lasting impression.” Mary Brown, Tru Art Advertising Calendars Account Executive.

Our Customers Will Benefit With:
 •Vibrant Print Quality — 1200 x 1200 dpi high-resolution printing with LED UV technology ensures crisp details and bold, eye-catching colors.
 •Unlimited Customization — Can efficiently produce quantities of 50 to 5,000, which means each calendar can be unique. Variable data printing allows for personalized designs, tailored messaging, and unique branding.
 •Reduced Waste & Cost Savings — Eliminates excess inventory, offset plates, and press set-ups reducing costs.
 •Eco-Friendly Printing — LED UV ink technology uses less energy, and produces no ozone emissions, making it a more sustainable choice.
 •Greater Creative Freedom — Shorter runs and variable data printing open the door to new ideas, niche designs, and targeted marketing opportunities.

“I’m excited about the incredible opportunities our new press brings! With its advanced capabilities, we can offer a broader range of colors and customization options, allowing our customers to better meet the unique needs and preferences of their end users. This unlocks endless possibilities for creating standout products!” Stacy Clark, Tru Art Advertising Calendars Account Executive.

Tru Art Advertising Calendars has been producing high-quality promotional calendars for 129 years, helping businesses maximize their brand exposure. This investment further strengthens our commitment to innovation, quality, and lasting impressions.

Calendars are more than just tools to track dates — they’re powerful marketing assets that keep your brand in front of customers 365 days a year. Choosing the right calendar format is essential to ensure it fits seamlessly into your audience’s daily routine while maximizing brand exposure. Whether you’re targeting office professionals, busy families, or on-the-go clients, selecting the perfect calendar layout can make all the difference in your promotional success.

At Tru Art, we specialize in high-quality, American-made promotional calendars that help businesses across industries connect with their customers in meaningful ways. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose the best calendar format — desk, wall, commercial calendars, and others — based on your audience and their usage preferences.

Understanding Your Target Audience

Before selecting a calendar format, consider your audience’s lifestyle, work environment, and daily habits. Here are a few key questions to ask:
 • Where do they spend most of their time? Are they in an office, at home, or planning events and production schedules?
 • How do they organize their schedules? Do they rely on a visible reference, like a wall calendar, or do they need something more functional?
 • What type of information do they need most? Are they looking for space to jot down notes, or do they primarily need a quick date reference?
By understanding these factors, you can align your calendar choice with your audience’s habits, ensuring maximum engagement and brand visibility.

Choosing the Right Calendar Format

1. Wall Calendars: High Visibility for Offices and Homes
Wall calendars are a top choice for businesses that want year-round brand exposure in offices, homes, or retail spaces. They offer large, easy-to-read date grids and plenty of room for branding, making them a favorite for industries like:
 • Education – (Schools, universities)
 • Real Estate – (Realtors and property management)
 • Nonprofits & Community Organizations – (Charities, religious organizations)
Best for: Businesses looking for maximum visibility and customers who prefer a fixed, at-a-glance schedule.
Pro Tip: Choose a wall calendar with custom imagery that resonates with your industry — whether it’s scenic landscapes, industry-specific themes, or custom brand photography.

2. Desk Calendars: Practical for Office Professionals
Desk calendars are a workspace essential, making them ideal for professionals who spend most of their day at a desk. They offer a convenient way to check dates, jot down notes, and stay organized.
Industries that benefit most from desk calendars include:
 • Financial services (banks, accounting firms)
 • Corporate offices (executives, managers, administrative staff)
 • Legal services (law firms, consulting agencies)
Best for: Businesses targeting office professionals who need daily organization at their fingertips.
Pro Tip: A tent-style desk calendar with your logo and contact information ensures your brand stays in front of decision-makers every day.

3. Commercial Calendars: Functional for Industry-Specific Workspaces
For businesses that need specialized calendars tailored to industry needs, commercial calendars are the ideal solution. These calendars often feature extra-large date grids, industry-specific references, or planning sections, making them invaluable for:
 • Manufacturing & Industrial businesses (factories, warehouses, auto shops)
 • Agriculture & construction industries (job sites, farm offices, supply stores)
 • Logistics & transportation (trucking companies, shipping centers)
Best for: Businesses with detailed scheduling needs that require industry-specific formats to keep their operations running smoothly.
Pro Tip: Customizing a commercial calendar with your company’s branding, key industry dates, or safety reminders enhances its functionality and value to your audience.

Why Choose Tru Art’s American-Made Calendars?

At Tru Art, we take pride in crafting high-quality calendars right here in the USA. Our commitment to American manufacturing ensures superior printing, durable materials, and timely delivery. Plus, when you choose our calendars, you’re supporting local craftsmanship and sustainable production practices.

Final Thoughts: The Right Calendar for Lasting Brand Impact

Selecting the right calendar format isn’t just about functionality, it’s about aligning your brand with your audience’s daily habits. A well-chosen calendar enhances brand visibility, reinforces customer loyalty, and provides year-round marketing value.

Whether you need a bold wall calendar, a practical desk calendar, or a custom commercial calendar, Tru Art has the perfect solution for your business.

Ready to find the ideal calendar for your audience? Contact us today to explore our customizable, American-made promotional calendars!