As the year winds down and we start looking toward a fresh start, the urge to organize hits us all. There is something incredibly satisfying about opening a crisp new planner or setting up a fresh calendar. It represents a clean slate, new opportunities, and 365 days of potential.
The Artsy Blog Planner has been a massive hit in our community, and I am so thrilled that so many of you have downloaded it, printed it, and are currently using it to map out your creative journeys. Because you are all so awesome—and because the New Year is knocking on our doors—I have another special gift just for you.
Say hello to the Free Cityscape Accordion Fold Printable Calendar!
This isn’t just a flat piece of paper you stick on the fridge. It’s a 3D piece of desk art, a conversation starter, and a functional tool all rolled into one. Today, I’m going to walk you through how to make it, the best tools to use, and why keeping a physical calendar is the best thing you can do for your productivity.
The Life of an Artsy Craftsy Mom
Let’s be real for a moment: being a creative mom is a demanding job. We wear so many hats. We are crafters, creators, photographers, editors, social media managers, and the glue that holds the household together. We craft, we create, we glue, we click, and then we share a lot!
Through all the chaos and glitter, one tool has remained my loyal sidekick: my printer.
In a digital world, we often forget the power of print. We think our home inkjet printers are just for boring boarding passes, school assignments, or driving directions. But I believe we need to give our printers a new lease on life. Your printer is a gateway to creativity. We’ve used our printer to play games, create intricate paper crafts, design fun party props, and even print out entire planners.
Whether you’re feeling productive, playful, crafty, or creative, there’s a project waiting for you—and the best part is, it won’t require specialized or expensive equipment. Just you, some paper, and a trusty printer.
The Perfect Tool for the Job: HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4535
When HP India contacted me to try out their HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4535 All-in-One Printer, I knew I had to put it through its paces immediately. As a blogger and a crafter, I am very picky about print quality.
- Color Vibrancy: For a project like this Cityscape Calendar, the blacks need to be deep, and the colors need to pop against the white space.
- Paper Handling: Cardstock can be tricky for some printers, causing jams or misalignments.
- Wireless Capability: Let’s face it, I do most of my work from my phone or laptop in different rooms. Being able to hit “print” from the kitchen table and have the project waiting for me in the office is a game-changer.
To properly test this new beauty, I needed a brand-new product. That is how the idea for the Cityscape Accordion Calendar was born. I needed something detailed, structured, and fun. I am happy to report that the printer handled the job beautifully, producing crisp lines and sharp text that make this calendar look store-bought.
Why an Accordion Calendar?
You might be asking, “Why an accordion fold?”
Standard flip calendars are great, but they often take up too much wall space or get buried under papers on a desk. An accordion-fold calendar is unique because:
- It Stands on Its Own: Literally. The zig-zag fold allows the calendar to sit upright on your desk without a frame or a stand.
- The Aesthetic: The “Cityscape” design mimics a skyline. When folded out, it looks like a little paper city resting on your workspace.
- Portability: You can fold it up completely flat and tuck it into your planner or purse, then expand it whenever you set up your mobile office.
The Project: How to Make Your Cityscape Calendar
Ready to get crafting? This is a beginner-friendly project that looks advanced. Here is everything you need to know.
Supplies Needed:
- The Printable PDF: (Download link provided at the end of the post).
- The Printer: A high-quality inkjet printer like the HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4535.
- Paper: I highly recommend using White Cardstock (approx. 180-220 GSM). Standard printer paper is too flimsy and won’t stand up when folded.
- Scissors: A sharp pair for straight cuts.
- Glue: A glue stick or double-sided tape works best. Liquid glue might wrinkle the paper.
- Ruler and Scoring Tool: An empty ballpoint pen or a butter knife works if you don’t have a bone folder.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Download and Print The calendar template comes as a 3-page PDF download. Each page contains 4 months of the year, designed in a continuous strip.
- Tip: Set your printer settings to “High Quality” or “Photo Printing.” This ensures the ink saturation is high and the text is sharp. Ensure you select “A4” or “Letter” depending on your paper size, and set scaling to 100% so the edges align perfectly.
2. The Cutting Phase Once printed, let the ink dry for a minute (especially if using a heavy saturation setting). Carefully cut along the solid outside edges of the cityscape strips. Take your time around the “building” shapes at the top if your design has them, or simply cut the straight rectangular border if you prefer a cleaner look. You should end up with three long strips of paper.
3. Scoring and Folding This is the secret sauce. To get a crisp “accordion” look, you need to score the fold lines before you fold them.
- Place your ruler along the vertical lines separating the months.
- Run your scoring tool gently down the line.
- The Fold: You want to alternate your folds. Fold the first line forward (Mountain Fold), the next line backward (Valley Fold), and repeat. This creates the zig-zag pattern.
4. Assembly You now have three separate strips (Jan-Apr, May-Aug, Sep-Dec). We need to make them one long year.
- On the template, after every fourth month, there is a small tab or marked space designed for gluing.
- Apply your glue stick or double-sided tape to this tab.
- Align the start of the next strip perfectly over the tab and press down firmly.
- Repeat until all 12 months are connected in one long, zig-zagging city skyline.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Paper Matters
Do not skimp on the paper quality. If the paper is too thin, the calendar will sag and fall over after a few days. If you only have regular printer paper, you can print the design, cut it out, and then glue it onto a heavier piece of construction paper or cardstock for stability.
Customization
The Cityscape design is beautiful in black and white, but it also doubles as a coloring project!
- For Kids: Print it out and let your kids color in the buildings with crayons or markers before you fold it. It makes a wonderful personalized gift for grandparents.
- For Planners: Use highlighters to mark important birthdays or holidays directly on the dates before you seal the gloss.
The “Lease on Life” for Your Printer
As I mentioned earlier, this project was inspired by the capabilities of the HP DeskJet. If you are noticing streaks or faded colors on your current prints, it might be time to run a “Clean Printheads” cycle in your printer settings. Maintenance is key to keeping your DIY projects looking professional.
Why You Need a Physical Calendar in 2017
In an age where our phones buzz with reminders every five minutes, why bother with paper?
1. Visual Memory: Writing things down or seeing physical dates spatially helps your brain retain information better than digital notifications. 2. Digital Detox: Glancing at a paper calendar on your desk saves you from unlocking your phone to check a date—and then accidentally spending 20 minutes scrolling through social media. 3. Decor: Let’s be honest, it just looks cute. A personalized workspace boosts morale and creativity.
Wrapping Up
I am so excited for you to try this Cityscape Accordion Fold Calendar. It is a labor of love, designed to help you tackle the coming year with style and organization.
Whether you keep it for yourself or gift it to a friend, the process of making it—the printing, the cutting, the folding—is a moment of mindfulness in a busy world. It allows you to slow down and create something tangible.
So, fire up those printers! Don’t let them sit idle printing boring documents. Give them a workout with some cardstock and creativity.
Ready to start? Download the full 3-page PDF template below, grab your scissors, and let’s build a year full of beautiful memories, one fold at a time.