The Best Paper and Cardstock for Printing Calendars

A great calendar design printed on flimsy paper still feels cheap. The right paper stock makes a home-printed calendar look and feel intentional -- and last as long as you need it. Here is how to choose.

Understand Paper Weight

Paper is sold by weight, usually in pounds (lb) or grams per square meter (gsm). As a rough guide:

• 20-24 lb (75-90 gsm): standard printer paper. Fine for planners you replace weekly.
• 28-32 lb (105-120 gsm): noticeably sturdier, still runs through most home printers. A great default for calendars you will keep for a month.
• 65-80 lb cardstock (176-216 gsm): stiff and durable, ideal for anything that has to stand up or get handled a lot.

Match Paper to the Calendar

• Weekly planners: standard 20-24 lb paper is perfect -- you will recycle them often. Print from the weekly generator.
• Wall and monthly calendars: step up to 28-32 lb so the sheet hangs flat and survives a month of writing. Use the monthly generator.
• Desk calendars: cardstock is worth it. A tent-fold desk calendar needs the stiffness to stand on its own.

Finish and Color

Matte paper is easiest to write on with pen or pencil; glossy resists ink and smudges. For a calendar you will actually annotate, choose matte. Bright white paper makes grid lines and text crisper than cream or recycled stock.

Check Your Printer First

Before buying a heavy cardstock, confirm your printer handles it -- look for a 'cardstock' or 'heavy paper' setting and a straight paper path. Then follow our home printing guide to get the settings right. For choosing between Letter and A4, see our paper size guide.