Step 1 : Calendar Type. - The calendar grid itself can be a Financial year, Academic year or the usual January to December.

We started with the usual January to December grid in its raw format.

Step 2 : Wording Above & Below the Grid - There is space for 1 to 2 lines
of text above and below the grid.

Options to consider - Company name, contact details, event information, sales message, or promotion details.

Step 3 : Text & Grid Colour - The calendar grid and the text can be any colour or colours.

We decided upon a white/yellow on black colour scheme.

Step 4 : Select Background - You can choose from a single colour, a pattern or a photograph.

We chose the rose photo for our background but we could have stuck with a plain black.

Step 5 : Behind the calendar grid - There is space behind the calendar grid to put either a drop-shadow year or logo, a colour fill, or the space can be the same as the main background.

The background we chose meant that we could not put anything behind the grid.
If we had stayed with a plain background the year would have looked good.
NB. - Don't forget to include the year somewhere in your design!

Optional Extra : Highlight Dates - If you are publicising a specific event such as a product launch or a trade show, you can highlight the dates as an extra reminder.

Mousemats - On a calendar mousemat there is the option of having the calendar grid in one corner leaving plenty of space for your sales message, contact details, logo etc.