Personalised photo calendar for 2027: how to get it right ?

At the start of every year, we sometimes find ourselves looking for a calendar that reflects who we are. One that makes you want to turn the page and doesn’t end up forgotten at the back of a drawer. A personalised photo calendar is a lovely way to have your memories right before your eyes, day after day.

AgfaPhoto Print doesn’t offer ready-made calendars. But you can easily make your own. You have two options: turn a photo book into a weekly planner, or print a poster designed as a proper desk calendar.

You’ll see, it’s simpler than it looks. Let’s take the time to get 2027 off to a good start.

How can I create a personalised photo calendar for 2027?

Rest assured, it requires neither special equipment nor graphic design skills. All you really need is a bit of organisation and a few good ideas. We’ll start with what you need to prepare, then you can choose the method that suits you best.

How do you make your own calendar with photos?

There are two ways to go about it. The first is to repurpose a photo book into a weekly planner, with one page per week that you can fill in as you like. The second, more visual approach, is to print a poster that you can hang on the wall or place near your desk. Before you choose, take a moment to answer these two questions. Where will your calendar go? On a desk, in the kitchen, in a bag, or at a friend’s or relative’s house where you want to give it as a present? A weekly planner is easier to carry around. A poster, on the other hand, can be seen from a distance and makes a bigger statement. Which dates do you need to include straight away? Make a note of birthdays, public holidays, holidays and events that come round every year. Putting them in right from the start means you won’t have to scribble them in later.

Method one: turning a photo book into a weekly planner

A photo book consists of pages that you control from start to finish. There’s nothing to stop you turning it into a living planner that’s both beautiful and useful.

1. Choose the format. Landscape photo book, in 21x15 or 30x21 cm, leaves space to write next to a photo. The portrait format is ideal if you prefer vertical pages, like in a notebook.

2. Start each month with a title page. Place your favourite photo of the month there, with its name in large letters. This gives the year a real sense of rhythm.

3. Allow one page per week. Allow 52 pages for the weeks, plus the pages for the months. If you wish, you can write out the seven days using the editor, adding your text and adjusting the layout. You can also simply note down the weeks. For example, ‘Week 10 from such-and-such a date to such-and-such a date’, using the calendar on your computer or mobile phone.

4. Leave some space deliberately. A large blank space on each page will allow you to stick in a printed photo or a concert ticket, or to write a note. This is what will make the book unique as the months go by and help it take shape bit by bit.

5. Add a few bonus pages. A ‘projects’ page at the start, a ‘future memories’ page at the end, and why not a double-page spread for last-minute ideas?

6. Finish with the cover. A hardback is more durable if the book is carried around in a bag every day. A softback is lighter and therefore easier to handle.

The second method: the poster calendar for a stylish office

Do you prefer a calendar that catches your eye the moment you look up? A poster is clearly made for that. You design it in advance, then have it printed in large format.

1. Create a template using a design tool. The most important thing is to plan out your calendar first. You then have two options. The first is a simple, neat calendar. Start with an attractive template, in colours and a typeface that suit your style. You don’t necessarily need photos. A clear grid showing the twelve months can look great on a wall or desk all on its own. Simply add your important dates and you’re all set.

The second option is a calendar that’s personalised right down to the last detail. You use the same basic layout, then bring it to life. Place a photo at the top of each month, chosen from your memories of 2026, but not limited to those. An older image, a holiday snap or a family photo also have their place. You can also add references that mean something to you, such as a film poster, a quote, a book cover or a piece of music. The calendar then becomes a true reflection of your tastes. If you want to give the page a bit more breathing space, include one poster per quarter rather than just one for the whole year.

1. Remember to check the dates carefully. 1 January 2027 falls on a Friday and it’s not a leap year. A quick proofread will help you avoid any nasty surprises.

2. Export your design in high definition. A blurry image on screen will look even worse on paper, so make sure you use the highest possible quality.

3. Choose the orientation and format. Portrait, landscape or square, it’s up to you. A3 is ideal for a desk, whilst A2 or 30x45 cm make a bigger statement on a wall. Make sure you keep the proportions of your file so that nothing gets cropped.

4. Import your file into the editor and start the printing process on the AgfaPhoto Print website. You can still adjust the cropping or add text before confirming.

5. Once you’ve received it, hang up your poster. Clips give it a casual look, whilst a frame provides a more polished finish. The matt finish reduces glare, which is particularly useful near a window.

What’s the best free software for creating a calendar?

There isn’t one specific tool that suits everyone. It all depends on how comfortable you are using a computer and how much time you have. Here are three options, from the quickest to the most flexible.

Create your own personalised calendar with Canva, using a ready-made template

Canva is undoubtedly the most common choice. Type ‘calendar’ into the search bar and dozens of templates will appear. All you then need to do is drag your photos into the frames, change the colours and adjust the fonts.

It’s very user-friendly, even if you’ve never done any layout design before. You can also replace the dates or add your own events in just a few clicks. Once the calendar is finished, export it as a PDF or a high-quality image to upload it to the AgfaPhoto Print website when you’re creating your photo poster.

One thing to bear in mind, though: some templates and graphic elements are only available in the paid version. The free version is more than enough; you just need to check the small labels carefully before choosing a design.

AgfaPhoto Print’s online editor, for creating your photo book or poster directly

Here, the approach is slightly different. The editor doesn’t contain any calendar templates, so you’ll need to build your own weekly grid. We’d still advise you to visit the site with a pre-designed template; this will result in a more creative and polished calendar.

For a photo book, every page is fully customisable. You can add your own text, adjust the layout and colour the backgrounds to your liking. For a poster, you import one or more photos, adjust the cropping and add your text or effects.

The big advantage is that everything happens in one place. You design, proofread and place your order without switching between tools. Just remember to save your work regularly and double-check the days of the week before finalising.

What about other editing options for creating a print-ready template?

Other free tools can also do the job, each with its own way of working.

Adobe Express is very similar to Canva. It also offers calendar templates in its free version, and is quick to get to grips with.

Google Slides requires a bit more fiddling around. You create a seven-column table, insert your photos and play around with the colours. It’s simple, understated and handy if you’re already working within the Google ecosystem.

Word offers ready-to-use calendar templates that are easy to edit if you’re already familiar with the software. LibreOffice is completely free and very comprehensive, but it requires a bit more patience to get started.

To sum up, Canva and Adobe Express are ideal for beginners in a hurry. Google Docs, Word and LibreOffice will appeal to those who like to have everything under their own control. And the AgfaPhoto Print editor is designed to help you create your photo book from start to finish or prepare your poster in calendar format for printing.

What’s the best website for making a photo calendar?

The answer depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a classic wall calendar with twelve photos, many websites offer ready-to-fill-in templates. If you prefer something more personalised, which you’ll actually use every day, you’ll need to look elsewhere. That’s where the photo book comes in.

Why the photo book is different from what we’re used to

A classic calendar imposes its own structure: twelve pages, one box per day, and little room to breathe. With an AgfaPhoto Print photo book, you’re in complete control. You choose the number of pages, where the photos go and how much space to set aside for your notes.

You can choose from several formats. The portrait-style photo book is available in 21x15 cm or 30x21 cm, with a hardback or softback cover. The portrait format is therefore ideal for those who prefer vertical pages.

In terms of production, the paper is FSC®-certified, which guarantees that it comes from responsibly managed forests. The online editor allows you to edit each page as you wish. You can add text, change the layout or colour the backgrounds.

Our tips before you start printing

A lovely project can lose its charm because of a forgotten detail. Here are a few checks to carry out before confirming your order.

Make sure your images are of sufficient resolution. A photo taken with a recent smartphone is usually sufficient. However, avoid images saved from email or social media, as these are often compressed.

Keep your text away from the edges. Do allow for a safety margin to ensure nothing is cut off during the cutting process. This also applies to faces and important dates.

Double-check all the dates. As mentioned earlier, 1 January 2027 falls on a Friday and Easter is on 28 March. Compare each month with an official calendar before confirming your order.

Allow plenty of time. Towards the end of the year, orders pile up. If you want to receive your calendar before 31 December, don’t leave it too late. The delivery time is shown on each product page.

A personalised 2027 photo calendar that reflects your style

Creating a personalised photo calendar isn’t just for experts. All you need to do is prepare your photos carefully, note down the dates that matter and choose the method that suits your daily life.

A photo book turned into a weekly planner gives you space to write, stick things in and keep a record. A poster, on the other hand, hangs on the wall and lets you see the rhythm of your year at a glance.

All you have to do is sort through your best snaps and get started. 2027 is sure to be a great year.