A print publication’s timeline
Initiate a project.
To get started, call 262-0948 to find out who your project editor is and set up a meeting with that person. Before you meet with us, it will be helpful to consider the following:
Determine what you want.
A good way to prepare for your first meeting with Creative Services is to take a few minutes to answer some basic questions: What is your message? Who is your audience? What is your purpose? Who needs to sign off? How do you plan to distribute your publication? What tone would you like to see reflected in this piece? Your Creative Services editor will work with you to develop a creative brief for the project based on the answers to these key questions.
Generating text and selecting images.
Whether your text is final or not, we can help you polish it into clean prose. We offer a range of editorial services including proofreading, editing, and writing.
If your publication will include images, you may provide us with some, or you may browse through our online library of campus photos. Or, if you would like to commission a photo shoot with a professional photographer, we will help you find a photographer and provide art direction.
With final copy and images in hand, one of our graphic designers will prepare a layout for you, keeping in mind your goals for the publication.
Establish a budget.
There are three costs associated with every job: design/production (copy preparation); printing; and paper. We will submit a project proposal estimate in line with your budget and timeframe to produce your publication. We will keep you informed if unanticipated developments have an impact on expenses, and will provide a revised project proposal if necessary.
The payment process.
We ask that you submit your fund coding information or an internal work order form before we begin our editorial, design, or printing services.
Setting deadlines.
Publications vary not only in appearance and content, but also in the time required to produce them. We will work with you to establish and maintain a schedule. The design schedule varies according to complexity; a minimum of two weeks is advisable, though rush services are available for an additional fee. Most projects are in production longer than two weeks. In addition to design production time, you must allow time for printing. A typical printing schedule is 10–15 working days.
The approval process.
Your editor and designer will meet with you to present the initial layout. Typically, you will have ample opportunity to collect feedback from those who need to review it. We will revise the text and graphics as requested and submit revised laser-printed products to you. Based on the complexity of your project or review process, this interchange may occur several times. Your publication will not be sent to the printer until you have provided the editor with an “okay to print.”
When we have your okay to print, we will prepare your job for the printer. You will receive an email notification itemizing estimated paper and print costs as your job is sent to the printer. This confirmation also includes quantity information, proof and delivery dates, so please review it carefully and notify your editor at once if you spot any discrepancies. This is not a final invoice (see “Billing” below).
Printer’s proofs.
Creative Services works with state-negotiated printing contracts, designed to provide excellent service at lowest prices. After your publication goes to press, we continue to monitor the process. Your editor will contact you when the printer’s proof has arrived, roughly a week after the project was shipped to the printer. It's important that you review and approve the printer’s proof in a timely manner, ideally within 24 hours of receiving it. Failure to do so may result in delayed delivery of your publication. An editor and a designer will also review your proof at this time.
Billing.
There are three costs for every job: (1) design/editorial production; (2) printing; and 3) paper charges. Some jobs have additional costs such as the purchase of stock images, FedEx charges, photo shoots, etc. Soon after your publication delivers, you will receive an e-mail notification that we've processed invoices for your job. Once billing is complete you can view detailed account information for all your design, editorial, and printing costs.
