303 Haggar College Center
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574)284-4595

Creative Services

The Production Process

FAQs

Essential Information

Start a project
(on-line form)

Request a Photographer (on-line form)

Business Cards (on-line form)

Name Badge Orders

Printing Services Price List (pdf)

••••••••

Helpful info
& Creative Resources

• Publications Policy*
  
• Purpose of Graphic Standards*
• Graphic Standards Manual*
• Portfolio*
  
• Downloadable Graphics & Logos*
  
• Feedback
  

Essential Information for Initiating a Print Job:

Defining Job Type:

New - Project that is completely new to the college community or a project that has never been in print form before.

Redesign of existing job- A project that has been printed before, but needs to have corrections or revisions made to it. Revisions could include resizing, new images, or new copy. Any job that would require additional manipulation before printing.

Reprint of existing job - A job that is a straight reprint (no revisions, corrections, or manipulations) of a previous job.

Description:

That description should be a brief sentence or paragraph that describes and/or distinguishes this project from another.

• What form will the final piece take? Is it a booklet? Brochure? Poster?
• Do you need specially ordered paper? (information optional)
• What color inks would you like to use? How many inks would you like to use? [1-color, 2-color, 3-color, or 4-color (full color)] (Remember that black is considered a color!)
• Is it a self-mailer?
• Are there any special processes necessary? (tabbing, custom printing)
• Are there accompanying materials which will be needed?

Information could also include the purpose of the piece, related event or mailing information, target audience, etc. This information will not only assist the graphic designer in the creation process, but also the production coordinator in collecting quotes.

Quantity:

The quantity is important for budgeting purposes. It is important to have a relatively accurate quantity in mind at the beginning of the project. This allows for the production coordinator to begin gathering quotes as early as possible, to avoid delays related to budgetary reasons in the latter stages of the project.

Images*:

Do you want images in this publication? If so, will the images be provided? Does a photographer need to be hired? Are the images in the college archives?

*IMPORTANT! It is very important that the images provided for the publication are QUALITY images. Logos and line art should be crisp and clear. Images provided as slides or prints should be sharp, and in focus. If images are provided digitally, minimum resolution MUST be 300 dpi. (On digital cameras, the resolution setting should be FINE).

Copy:

IMPORTANT! FINAL copy should be provided to the Marketing Communications department upon initiating the project. If you know that you will need project approval by several different parties, it is important that the information is circulated before it gets to the design stage of the project. In some cases, changing the copy of a piece can drastically affect the size and spacing of a piece and lead to increased layout delays, and increased costs. Copy should be provided digitally (via e-mail or disk) and accompanied (when possible) by a hard copy to show fonts and font treatments.

Delivery dates:

As a rule, the Marketing Department takes the delivery date provided by the client and works backward to determine proofing dates, and delivery for printing dates. When initiating a job that is classified as a "New" job or a "Redesign" job it is necessary to allow at least two weeks to complete the project.

The two-week time period allows time for the graphic designer to complete the necessary manipulations, for the client to proofread and provide corrections, and for the printer to complete the job in a timely manner. As the project becomes more complex, the lead-time increases proportionately.

We do understand that there will be times that things will be overlooked; the Marketing Department will do everything in its power to meet your needs. What we want to encourage is that these situations become the exception, not the rule. We can control how quickly a job can be completed in the design and proofreading phases. But, we cannot control the printing phase of the project if it is handled off campus. Most printers will try to accommodate rush deliveries at an increased cost and sometimes sacrificed quality.

Budget Information:

What is your budget?

Information here can assist the designer in creating a piece that will meet your budgetary needs. Having this information up front will eliminate wasted time on creating projects that are out of your budgetary means, or below the standards that you envisioned for the piece.

Delivery information:

Where do you want the piece delivered? Is there a split delivery?

Final Approval:

Who will be responsible for the final approval for printing? This person's signature will be required on the Proofing Approval Checklist.

Still have questions????

Please contact Scot Erin Briggs x5335

sbriggs@saintmarys.edu