Custom Paper-Cut Calendars & Desk Gifts

Shenzhen Longtian Cultural & Creative Co., Ltd. is a Shenzhen cultural and creative products company that designs and manufactures paper-cut calendars and desk gifts for museums, scenic attractions, enterprises and universities. A paper-cut desk calendar keeps a design on someone's desk for a whole year, which makes it a favourite New Year gift for museums, attractions, IP owners and companies. We handle the design proof, sampling and production, then pack for export.

Crafts and processes

• Laser cutting of layered paper scenes
• Hot-foil stamping on cards and boxes
• Full-colour printing on card stock
• Layered assembly of paper-carving cards
• Wooden or card stands to display the current month

A paper-cut calendar turns flat card into a small stage set. Each design is drawn as a series of layers: a background, middle-ground scenery and a foreground frame or character. The layers are laser cut from coloured or printed card so that fine windows, branches and outlines stay crisp, then stacked with spacers to create depth when the card stands upright. Where a set has twelve months, every card follows the same frame and type layout so that the calendar reads as one family.

Hot-foil stamping adds metallic accents such as titles, dates, zodiac symbols or a logo, and it is often repeated on the gift box so that the whole package feels coordinated. Full-colour printing can be combined with cutting when an illustration needs gradients or photographic detail. Finally, a stand holds the current month upright on a desk: wooden bases with a slot are common for premium sets, while folding card stands keep weight and cost down for larger giveaways.

Materials

• Coloured card and art paper for cut layers
• Printed card stock for illustrated layers
• Hot-stamping foils in gold, silver or colour
• Wooden bases with slots, or folding card stands
• Rigid or folding paper gift boxes
• Spacers and adhesives for layered assembly

Paper weight is chosen so that cut details stay rigid without warping; heavier stock suits large open scenes, while lighter stock suits very fine patterns. A wooden base adds weight and a premium feel, and a card stand keeps shipping light.

Sizes

• Desk calendar cards are commonly palm-sized to postcard-sized
• Twelve-card sets are sized to fit one slot or stand
• Layer depth is kept shallow enough to pack flat
• Gift boxes are sized around the stand and card stack

These are general trade ranges rather than fixed specifications; we size each set around the artwork and the desk space of the intended recipient.

Packaging

• Rigid gift box with insert for cards and base
• Folding box with sleeve for larger quantities
• Hot-foil-stamped lid or band
• Protective tissue or film between layered cards
• Export cartons with corner protection

Because paper layers can crush, packaging is designed with inserts that hold the card stack and the base separately, and cartons are packed to prevent bending in transit.

Customization options

• Twelve monthly cards or a single display scene
• Zodiac-year, seasonal or IP character themes
• Gift box, sleeve and stand design
• Logo, greeting or story text on each card

Who orders them and why

• Museums: a year of collection highlights, one object per month.
• Attractions: seasonal views of the site as a New Year souvenir.
• Enterprises: year-end client gifts carrying the brand all year.
• Universities: campus architecture calendars for alumni and guests.

Design tips

Design a calendar as a year-long story. Decide first what links the twelve cards: a character's journey, the seasons at a venue, a set of collection objects or a sequence of festivals. A consistent frame, typeface and colour palette keeps the set recognisable while each month can introduce a new scene. Leave the date grid clear and legible; decoration should never make it hard to read the day.

Layering works best with a clear foreground, middle ground and background. Very thin bridges in a cut pattern may tear, so our designers check minimum line widths and adjust delicate areas on the proof. Hot-foil details look strongest when used sparingly on titles, numbers or a single highlight, and when the same foil appears on the box.

Think about the recipient's desk. A wooden base gives stability and a gift feel, while a card stand is lighter for mailing. If the calendar is a corporate gift, plan space for a short message or logo that remains appropriate for a full year. If it is a retail product, the gift box should show the artwork clearly and explain the theme in a sentence or two, with space for a barcode.

Timing matters more for calendars than for most souvenirs, because the product has a fixed season. Work backwards from the date it must reach customers, allowing for design, proof approval, sampling, production and shipping, and keep a buffer in case a card needs adjustment after the sample.

Ordering workflow: sample → approval → production → QC → shipping

1. Enquiry and brief. Send artwork or reference images, the quantity, target retail price and delivery date. Our MOQ starts from 50 pcs.
2. Recommendation and quote. We suggest material, process, size and packaging, and quote per design. Any sample or mold fee is quoted per design.
3. Digital proof. Our design team prepares a proof showing outline, colours, finish and dimensions. Revisions continue until you approve it.
4. Physical sample. Sampling usually takes 5–7 days after proof approval. You check the sample by photo, video or courier.
5. Approval and deposit. Payment is T/T 30% deposit with 70% before shipment; samples can be paid by PayPal.
6. Mass production. Production usually takes about 15–25 days after sample approval, depending on quantity and process.
7. Quality control. Goods are checked against the approved sample for colour, finish, attachment hardware and packaging before cartons are sealed.
8. Shipping. We ship by express, air or sea under EXW, FOB Shenzhen or DDP, quoted per order. An NDA is available on request.

Related products and projects

• Custom Postcards
• Custom Metal Bookmarks
• Custom IP Figurines
• Project types and case study
• Buying guides
• All products

Related guides

• Artwork-to-sample product development checklist
• Souvenir packaging options for museums, scenic areas and events
• Supplier due diligence and logistics for museum souvenirs

Start your project

Send your artwork, quantity and target date to WhatsApp +86 18811875118 · WeChat 15220268909 · [email protected], or use the contact page. See also how to order, shipping & pricing and our buying guides.