Printed Materials Planning Guide

Printed communications come in all shapes and sizes and many degrees of complexity. Publications Office design professionals can recommend the method of printing best suited to your project. However, to help you plan for your printed piece, we have developed this list of typical examples of publications, so that you can get an idea of the steps involved in planning your project.

NOTE: These typical examples are for planning purposes only. They represent a "best case scenario."  

All timelines below are dependent on the current University Communications workload. For best results, plan far in advance. (See information on University Communications services availability.)

For a typical project timeline, select the project most like the type of publication you want to produce:

• Duplicated publication (black ink)
• One- or two-color project printed on campus
• One- to full-color project printed by state printing vendor

Typical duplicated publication

Size:  8-1/2" x 11" up to 11" x 17" with various sizes in between

Specifications: Only black ink on a variety of papers, black and white photos possible, screens possible, bleeds possible keeping within size limitations

Charges: No charge for writing/editing/design. Client pays for photography services in Learning and Technology Services (if needed) and printing charges in University Printing Services.

Timeline:

Initial consultation:  Allow one week to schedule and complete the first meeting to discuss your publication.

Writing/editing: Allow two weeks to edit client's copy; minimum of two to four weeks for writing assistance from News Bureau.

Design services: Allow two weeks for design process in Publications Office from receipt of edited copy.

Printing: Allow up to three working days for printing in University Printing Services from receipt of order/file/sample.

Original photography: Client can supply photos. Allow two weeks for original photography from Learning and Technology Services if needed.

Mailing: If publication is to be mailed, allow additional time for mailing by client.

Typical one- or two-color publication printed on campus

Size: Minimum 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" up to 11" x 17" (with bleed) or 12" x 18" (without bleeds)

Specifications: Multiple colors of ink possible, halftones possible, screens possible, bleeds possible keeping within size limitations

Charges: No charge for writing/editing/design. Client pays for photography services in Learning and Technology Services and printing charges in University Printing Services.

Timeline:

Initial consultation: Allow one week to schedule and complete the first meeting to discuss your publication.

Writing/editing: Allow two weeks to edit client's copy; minimum of two to four weeks for writing assistance from News Bureau.

Design services: Allow two weeks for design process in Publications Office from receipt of edited copy.

Original photography: Client can supply photos. Allow two weeks for original photography from Learning and Technology Services if needed.

Proofing process: Allow one week to proof completed project and make any final changes.

Printing: Allow up to seven working days for printing in University Printing Services from receipt of order/file/sample.

Mailing: If publication is to be mailed, allow additional time for mailing by client.

Typical one-color to full-color publication printed
off campus by state printing vendor

NOTE:  All printing projects that go off-campus must have a signed purchase requisition and must go through the print manager, Mike Alred, (715) 836-3883.

Size: Any size publication up to 24" x 36"

Specifications: Up to full-color, screens possible, bleeds possible, heavy ink coverage possible, suitable for full-color publications and/or large quantities.

Charges: No charge for writing/editing/design. Client pays for photography in Learning and Technology Services and state contract printing.

Timeline:

Initial consultation: Allow one week to schedule and complete the first meeting to discuss your publication.

Writing/editing: Allow two weeks to edit client's copy; minimum of two to four weeks for writing assistance from News Bureau.  

Design services: Allow three weeks for design process in Publications Office from receipt of edited copy.

Original photography: Allow two weeks for original photography from Learning and Technology Services if needed.

Proofing process: Allow one week to proof completed project and make any final changes.

Printing manager: Allow up to three days for print manager to write order and send to printer; for bid projects allow one week.

Printing: Allow four weeks for off-campus printing by the state printing vendor from the time the project is received by the printer.

Mailing: If publication is to be mailed, allow additional time for mailing by client.

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