To begin your planning process, it is important that you outline the specifications for your yearbook. This will enable your yearbook representative to give you a quote for you and your school.
Determine the approximate number of pages you will need in the book. This information is based on the number of students and staff members, number of grades, extracurricular activities and other pages you might want in the book. If you plan to use portraits from your school photographer, we suggest you contact the photographer at the beginning of the school year. Arrange to have your portraits available as early as possible, as you will need them to begin page layouts as soon as possible. ASK FOR YOUR PORTRAITS ON CD in COLOR (if possible). If your plan includes using candid photos taken by staff and/or students, make sure you get consistent, high-quality images.
This will assure better reproduction.
Specifications you must consider are as follows:
• Number of copies (be conservative – 50% of the population. You can increase or decrease
your final quantity when you submit your production form with your book. Note: major
quantity changes change the price of your yearbook.)
• Number of pages: You must work in increments of 4 pages unless you are ordering a Smyth sewn book. Smyth sewn books must be ordered in increments of 16 pages. Blank pages are added to the back of the book if graphics/text does not fill all pages.
• Type of cover: Soft or Hard Cover (furnished designs or a custom design)
• Type of yearbook: All color or black and white (ALL Color is your BEST BUY!)
• Type of page creation:
• Delivery Date: Choose when you want the yearbook to arrive at your school.
• Proofs: If you insist on a proof, it may add cost and delivery time. Request details.
• Options: Ask for details on additional options/yearbook features to customize
your book.
You will receive a per book price. For example: if you want to order 300 yearbooks, you may receive a quoted price of $25.00 per book. Once you receive your quoted price and you review your deadline for submitting your book, your representative will ask you to sign a “Sign-up Form.” This means you have selected the yearbook representative to be your official yearbook provider. The “Sign-up Form” will also reserve appropriate production time at the yearbook plant to assure the delivery you requested.
Use last year’s yearbook sales data to determine buy rates, number of yearbooks sold, and the price your yearbook sold for to your students. Use a copy of last year’s yearbook to determine if the number of pages in the book was adequate to represent your school year and the student population.