2026 Joe Cornish Calendar: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Johnsons Printers
Every year, the photography community eagerly awaits the release of Joe Cornish’s latest calendar. For 2026, the theme “Coast and Wildwood / Moor and Mountain” takes us deep into the textures of the British landscape. But how do you translate the raw beauty of North Yorkshire and the coast into ink on paper?
To find out, we invited Joe to our print facility in Nantwich to oversee the “press pass” of his latest masterpiece.
The Calendar as a Declaration of Identity
For Joe, the process of creating a calendar isn’t just about selecting 12 pretty pictures. It’s about curation and portfolio building. As Joe says, “I use the calendar as a way of defining who I am, my identity as a photographer” [00:50].
When a body of work is intended to be enjoyed for 30 days at a time, every single image has to be a “declaration of who you are” [00:43]. This puts immense pressure on the printer to ensure that the vision captured in the lens is exactly what appears on the page.
The Challenge of Printing the Natural World
Landscape photography is arguably the most difficult genre to reproduce accurately. You are dealing with subtle gradients in a morning mist, the deep greens of a wildwood, and the harsh, bright whites of a mountain peak.
Joe admits that his expectations are at a “ridiculously high level” [01:41]. To meet them, you need more than just a machine; you need an expert printer who understands the “subtleties and the nuances and the colours of the natural world” [01:32].
At Johnsons, we pride ourselves on our high-quality print output, ensuring that the technical side of the press respects the artistic integrity of the photographer.
The Human Element: Art Meets Engineering
One of the reasons Joe has returned to Johnsons for several years is the “team effort” [02:04]. The collaboration between Joe, our Managing Director John (an accomplished landscape photographer himself), and Matt, our lead pressman, is where the magic happens.
Having a printer who speaks the language of photography is vital. When Joe asks for a subtle shift in the shadows or a slight warm-up in the highlights, John and Matt know exactly how to adjust the litho print settings to achieve it.
Ready to Start Your Own Calendar Project?
You don’t have to be Joe Cornish to get world-class results. Whether you’re an artist, a photographer, or a business, we apply the same care and craftsmanship to every page.
Explore our Calendar Range or Contact us today to discuss your project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I buy Joe Cornish’s 2026 Calendar?
You can purchase “Coast and Wildwood / Moor and Mountain” directly from Joe’s website: joecornish.co.uk.
Can I visit the press for my own calendar project?
Absolutely. We welcome clients for “press passes” on larger litho runs to ensure the final product meets their exact specifications. For smaller digital printing projects, we provide high-quality proofs for approval.
What is the difference between Litho and Digital for calendars?
Litho is best for long runs (500+ copies) and offers the highest colour precision. Digital is ideal for short print runs, allowing for cost-effective, high-quality printing in smaller quantities.
Do you offer bespoke calendar design?
Yes! Just get in touch with us and we can work with you on any calendar style.
Why is landscape photography so hard to print?
As Joe mentions, it’s about the “subtleties and nuances” [01:23]. Digital screens often display colours differently than ink on paper. An expert printer must account for paper absorption and light reflection to ensure the printed image matches the photographer’s vision.