With advances in holographic and foil technology, calendars are now more than just practical tools. They have become collectible items that tell a story and mark special moments. Many people still enjoy using wall or desk calendars, whether it’s flipping through the pages, marking birthdays, or writing reminders. These simple rituals offer something that digital apps can’t quite match.
This article examines four industry examples where design, innovation, and visual appeal help keep traditional print calendars popular and up to date.
Hazen Paper Company, known for its award-winning calendars, introduces La Rosa Volcanica 2026. Inspired by Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, this calendar shows both the dramatic power of nature and the beauty of renewal.
Made with Hazen’s recyclable Envirofoil®, it uses Free-Form Fresnel lens technology and Deep Groove holographic features to create a wide, eye-catching effect. A ‘Seal of Authenticity™’ in the bottom corner adds a special touch. When light shines on it, the Hazen Authenticator™ appears, showing the brand’s focus on innovation and trust.
K Laser’s 2026 desk calendar starts with a page for the Chinese Lunar Year of the Fire Horse. After last year’s Snake Bead theme, this edition keeps the company’s tradition of mixing different designs with foil and holographic effects.
Each sheet highlights a different K Laser office from around the world, including the main headquarters and key locations like Wuxi K Laser in Xinguang, Nanchang, Herui Laser, K Laser Hong Kong, K Laser Japan, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Amagic Dubai, and the K Laser USA Cold Foil Business Unit.
Most pages feature a famous landmark from each country, shown in a creative way and finished with metallic effects to show K Laser’s skill in surface finishing.
This year, LEONHARD KURZ’s 2026 wall calendar pays tribute to Austria, showing off the country’s variety and beauty. It features well-known images such as the Vienna Ferris wheel, the Alps, views of Hallstatt, edelweiss flowers, and the Steyr coat of arms.
Printed in A1 size on high-quality Algro Design Duo 250 g/m² paper, the calendar is finished with cold transfer and hot stamping.
The calendar is made in five steps:
1.Shine as a base: cold transfer with KPS Slim 2.0 creates metallic brilliance and vibrant contrasts.
2.Elegance in silver: SILVER LINE® Sails add highlights, while blind embossing gives depth to motifs.
3.Floating accents: hot-stamped LUXOR® 392 MTS makes Ferris wheel gondolas appear suspended in front of the panorama.
4.Structures that tell stories: LUXOR® 385 MTS emphasises fine details, with micro-embossing adding elegance.
5.Pure haptics: deep blind embossing enhances relief structures, creating a tactile play of highs and lows.
And lastly, a different approach, Unifoil brings a playful touch with its Calendar Cubes. These small, interactive cubes use foil finishes and practical date-keeping to give a fresh take on traditional calendars. Their hands-on design makes them perfect for desks, combining usefulness with visual appeal.
