Canva FAQ’s and How To’s
Please read through all of this important information for details about the design and submission of your yearbook and other important yearbook information:
DESIGN
How do I design my Cover in Canva?
Your cover needs to be created as a separate file from all of your internal pages. The dimensions of your cover file will depend on your cover type (softbound or hardbound) and the number of pages in your yearbook.
Look for an email from YearbookLife with the Subject Line: Yearbook Cover Specs. This email outlines the dimensions for your specific cover based on the number of pages and binding type on your agreement.
NOTE: If you add or reduce pages, or want to change your binding type, those dimensions may change. Always contact production@yearbooklife.com if you plan to make a change to the number of pages or binding type. Those changes will also change your price per book.
How do I design my Pages in Canva?
Be sure you follow these instructions carefully so the pages are the correct size for printing and production; they are larger than a standard sheet of paper. And there is a “safety zone” in which all significant art and design elements should be kept so they are not trimmed during production.
Pro Tip: Following these instructions will ensure that significant design elements are not trimmed during production, and you don’t have a white border around your pages: Watch this video for more details.
SUBMISSION
How do I submit my final cover and pages?
You will need to export your cover as a spread in one file, in hi-resolution “PDF Print” format. Name the file your School Name_Cover.
Then you will need to export your pages all in one file, in hi-resolution “PDF Print” format. Name the pages file your School Name_Pages.
Within one month of your submission date, you will receive an email with submission instructions and a link to a Private/Shared Google Drive. Your cover file and pages file must be uploaded in that Google Drive.
NOTE: If the cover or pages file is not set up properly for production, we will notify you to make the corrections and resubmit the file(s). This may cause a delivery delay. Be sure your files are set up properly as outlined above.
BOOK QUANTITY: How do I change or confirm the number of books I want to order?
You can contact production@yearbooklife.com at any time during your design process or before submission to alter your quantity of books. If you have a storefront with us, we will then adjust the inventory of your yearbooks available.
One month before your submission date, you will receive an email from production@yearbooklife.com that will contain submission instructions and a link to your submission form. When you’re ready to submit, you will complete and submit that form. If the quantity of books, or pages, is not accurate on that form, please contact us before submitting to update the information.
NOTE: Any change to the quantity of books may change your price per book.
PAGE QUANTITY: How do I change the number of pages I want to submit?
If the number of pages you want to submit is different from the number of pages on your agreement, please contact us before submitting your file, keeping these important points in mind:
- Any change to the number of pages could also change your cover binding size. You may need to adjust your cover size before submission..
- The final number of pages in your yearbook must be divisible by 4 for production purposes. If your final file is not divisible by 4, you may have blank pages bound in your book, and you will be charged for them.
- Any change to the quantity of pages will alter your price per book. Contact us before submission so we can get you that new price.
NOTE: One month before your submission date, you will receive an email from production@yearbooklife.com that will contain submission instructions and a link to your submission form. When you’re ready to submit, you will complete and submit that form. If the quantity of books or pages is not accurate on that form, please contact us before submitting to update the information.
What if I need more time to work on my book and won’t submit it by the date on my agreement?
If you need more time to work on the design of your book, email production@yearbooklire.com and let us know your new intended submission date. We will update the production calendar and provide you with your new estimated delivery date. Be sure to always monitor how that will affect your distribution date. There is no financial penalty for submission past your submission date, but it will cause an extension in your estimated delivery date.
Submitting after your submission deadline will result in delivery delays.
YEARBOOK & AD SALES
How do I sell my Yearbooks?
YearbookLife provides an online storefront where you can sell and track your yearbook sales. Simply fill out this storefront information form, and we’ll have it set up for you within 2 business days. You’ll be able to monitor your sales through an online dashboard and generate sales summary reports. If you also sell yearbooks offline, remember that this summary will only display the online sales. You’ll be able to add your offline sales to this summary once it’s finalized and exported as a spreadsheet.
NOTE: The site is free to your school, but a 5% service fee is paid by the purchaser for use of the site. This fee is incorporated into the online sales price for each yearbook. Details are on the form.
How do I change the quantity of books available for sale?
Your storefront is set with an inventory of books to sell based on your agreement. That quantity will tick down every time a yearbook is sold online. You can contact production@yearbooklife.com at any time during the design process to alter that quantity.
How do I sell Student Dedication and Business Ads?
YearbookLife provides an online storefront where you can sell and track Student Dedication and Business ads. Simply fill out this storefront information form, and we’ll have it set up for you within 2 business days. You’ll be able to monitor your sales through an online dashboard and generate sales summary reports. Families and Businesses can then submit their ad to you through the email address you provide, or any other method you advertise, or you can design the ad in Canva.
NOTE: YearbookLife does not provide a method for the design or submission of ads; the storefront is simply a payment vehicle. The site is free to your school, but a 5% service fee is paid by the purchaser for use of the site. This fee is incorporated into the online sales price for each ad. Details are on the form.
How do I extend the sales deadline for my yearbooks?
Your final book quantity must be finalized upon submission, but you can extend the final deadline for your yearbook sales for up to one month from your submission date to continue to sell any extra books you may have ordered. Email production@yearbooklife.com to let us know your extended deadline date. We will update the deadline in the storefront for you.
How do I change the price of my yearbook in the storefront?
You can change the sales price of your yearbook in the storefront at any time! Email production@yearbooklife.com with the new price per book. Remember that there is a 5% service fee added to the price of the yearbook, therefore, always include that increase when you determine the online price.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Who do I Contact if I need Design Assistance or Tips in Canva?
YearbookLife does not provide technical support or design assistance for Canva. All questions regarding Canva design should be directed to Canva Support. Canva Support can be found at https://www.canva.com/help/ or through their online Chat bot.
Who do I Contact if I have questions about my book specs or YearbookLife agreement?
Reach out to YearbookLife’s Customer Care team with any questions you may have about your number of books, pages, deadlines and pricing. We can be reached at 888-680-0143, or you can email production@yearbooklife.com.
PAYMENT
How do I pay for my yearbooks?
Upon submission, when your number of books and pages is finalized, you will receive an invoice. Payment is due within 10 days to avoid additional charges. Payment can be made via check or credit card. Details for payment will be found on the invoice.
I have a question about my invoice. Who can I speak with?
If you have any questions about your invoice or the payment procedure, you can email accounting@yearbooklife.com. Someone from our Accounting Team will get back to you, or call our office at 888-680-0143.