Yearbooks are a fun representation of the year. They help highlight students, activities, current events, and the overall school. Creating a yearbook takes a lot of work and dedication, and it’s down to the yearbook staff to create an exciting, memorable yearbook.
School spirit, a creative streak, and a fondness for nostalgia are important qualities in a yearbook staff. An eye for detail and catching mistakes is also crucial! Here are the top 10 yearbook mistakes to help you avoid common pitfalls.
Top 10 Common Yearbook Mistakes
It’s a big, wild internet out there. To help make your journey easier, we’re looking at the best places for yearbook tips, tricks and inspiration.
Missing Delivery Dates – Missing one deadline can have a ripple effect on the production and publishing of your yearbook. Plan key delivery dates and deadlines at the beginning of the year, and stick to them. This has the added bonus of teaching valuable time-management skills!
Budgeting – Underestimating the cost of your yearbook can hurt the project. As with any business, It’s always best to overestimate the cost and have funds left over, than under-estimate. We recommend understanding all of the fees ahead of time and sticking with your intended specifications, so no unexpected price changes occur. Having a back-up fund, in case unforeseen extra fees arise, is also a good idea.
Low-Res Photos – It’s not just about choosing the right photos for your yearbook, selecting quality, high resolution photos are just as important. Low resolution photos don’t print well. Quality, high resolution photos are key – we recommend saving the files at 72 dpi or larger.
Choosing an Effective Cover – Your yearbook cover is the first thing that everybody is going to see. Covers should grab peoples’ attention and be impactful, without crowding the page. Simple is often the way to go. Check out our Pinterest page for yearbook cover inspiration.
Consistency – It’s important to be consistent in your yearbook. Make sure your headers and footers are consistent throughout. To achieve this, you may want to consider a yearbook template.
Fonts – Fonts matter! Too many fonts crammed onto one page is a common mistake. Avoid using too many fonts at one time, as it distracts from your yearbook’s message. We recommend selecting one font that you will use for headers, one for captions, and one for general text. Stay consistent throughout and make sure the font styles are all compatible.
Photo Placement – Have you heard of the gutter? The gutter area is where the opposing pages of your yearbook meet and roll into the binding. Be sure that no significant text or important images crossover that gutter area, or they may fall into the gutter during the binding process.
Editorial – It’s important to maintain consistent editorial standards throughout your yearbook. This applies to spelling and formatting. Don’t use ‘e-mail’ on one page, and then ‘email’ on another. Staying consistent throughout will keep your yearbook looking professional!
Multiple Checks in Place – No matter how keen an eye for detail someone has, mistakes are still possible. Ensure that you have multiple checks in place for your yearbook to help minimize the risks of errors. This applies to proofreading, fact checking and formatting!
Choosing the Right Company – To help create the most amazing yearbook, you want to choose the right yearbook company. Personalization, templates, easy-to-use software, the latest in digital technology, customer service and turnaround times are all key considerations. And these are all available with YearbookLife!
YearbookLife provides easy-to-use yearbook design software, great customer care and technical support assistance. We provide all the resources to simplify the yearbook process for you, with some of the best prices in the industry. There’s still time to save money on your yearbook this year with our Back To School Special. Get our lowest prices of the season by signing up today. But hurry, our sale ends on November 1st, 2019! Request your yearbook sample and price quote today.
You don’t have to be an expert designer to create an amazing yearbook. At YearbookLife, we take the stress out of creating your yearbook with easy to use templates, a wide variety of themes, and great customer service.
Finding your yearbook publisher is only part of creating a great yearbook. Determining various eye-catching designs and color combinations are all part of the fun. Maybe you’ve been browsing old school yearbooks for inspiration, but inspiration can come from anywhere! Today we’re going to look at just a few places to get inspiration for your yearbook.
Places to Get Inspiration for Your Yearbook
It’s a big, wild internet out there. To help make your journey easier, we’re looking at the best places for yearbook tips, tricks and inspiration.
Pinterest – How many of us have browsed Pinterest and thought ‘gee, that looks amazing!’ Its visual boards and interactive community make Pinterest a great place to find inspiration for your yearbook. Browse through boards, pin ideas that appeal to you, and before you know it you’ve got a goldmine of inspiration. Check out YearbookLife’s Pinterest to get started!
Designspiration – This network is like Pinterest in that it is very visual. The difference between the two is that Designspiration is for designers. Designspiration is the place to get inspired by the professionals.
Instagram – Following hashtags on Instagram is a great source of steady inspiration. Follow #yearbookdesign and #yearbook for your dose of yearbook inspiration.
Blogs – Blogs are a great way to learn more about the process of creating a yearbook from the industry insiders. They’re also a great source of inspiration and useful tips and tricks for yearbook staff.
Current Events & Trends – Designing your yearbook around current events and trends is a great way to remember the year. Viral videos, popular quotes, famous songs and current events can all be great sources of inspiration for your yearbook.
Finding inspiration for your yearbook can come from so many different places. And with YearbookLife’s easy-to-use yearbook design software, designing your yearbook has never been easier. There’s still time to save money on your yearbook this year with our Back To School Special . Get our lowest prices of the season by signing up today. But hurry, our sale ends on November 1st, 2019! Request your yearbook sample and price quote today.
It takes a team to create an amazing yearbook. Persistence, passion and patience are key when putting together a yearbook that will be loved for years to come. Picking the right team is one way to help ensure the success of your yearbook.
But who does what? We’re looking at some of the key roles for yearbook staff, as well as some of their primary responsibilities.
Yearbook Staff – Roles & Responsibilities
Yearbook Advisor – The role of a yearbook advisor is effectively to direct the yearbook. Yearbook advisors are commonly teachers, another member of your school’s staff or a volunteer PTA parent. Their role is to advise and provide guidance and direction on the yearbook. Yearbook advisors will generally help develop a yearbook’s theme and style. Your yearbook advisor will also work with YearbookLife to finalize the submission details on publishing and printing.
Managing Editor – A managing editor will be responsible for the development of your yearbook’s content. They will help supervise the content that is going into your yearbook, helping to lead the content team themselves. A managing editor will be responsible for a final check of your yearbook before it gets submitted to the yearbook advisor.
Layout Editor – A layout editor leads your yearbook’s design team. They’ll work closely with the managing editor in outlining your yearbook’s layout and overall design. Your layout editor can take advantage of the software options available from YearbookLife, and may decide to train and coach additional staff members in their use and application.
Designer – A yearbook designer will work with the layout editor to prepare yearbook spreads. The designer will be responsible for editing photos and copy in the yearbook, including labeling and cropping where needed.
Copy Editor – A copy editor will check your yearbook for spelling and grammatical errors. They’ll also be responsible for fact checking, and will work with the managing editor to develop interesting and factual copy for your yearbook.
Reporter / Writer – Your yearbook reporter will provide ideas of events to cover, as well as copy to enhance the overall yearbook. Yearbook reporters will work to the same standards as journalists, including interviewing subjects and researching stories. Reporters will generally follow a set style guide.
Photo Editor – The photo editor is in control of your yearbook’s photography. They will help in the training and development of yearbook photographers. Your photo editor will also be responsible for ensuring that a photographer is present at any school events that may need coverage. The photo editor will also be responsible for ensuring that every student’s photo is in your yearbook, and that there is even coverage of all the groups across your school. They will also ensure that photos and images are appropriately tagged.
Photographer – Your yearbook photographer(s) will work with your photo editor to capture great photos for your yearbook. You’re likely going to see them at school events capturing the action shots, or perhaps more candid around-the-hall shots.
Index Editor – The index editor is responsible for maintaining an accurate list of people in your school. This includes student and staff! This information is then used to help develop your yearbook index, where photos and photo captions are referenced. It’s a great role for someone who is detail-oriented.
Business Manager – Your yearbook’s business manager will be responsible for developing the budget as well as supervising your yearbook sales campaign. The business manager will also be responsible for managing fundraising events.
Advertising Manager – An advertising manager will be responsible for setting up sales contracts and coordinating with potential advertisers. They will oversee all advertising revenue. An advertising manager will work closely with the business manager.
Yearbook Publisher – Putting together your yearbook is only one part of the process, it’s also important to find the right yearbook publisher for you. YearbookLife offers a full range of yearbook publishing and printing services. Our easy-to-use yearbook design software, great customer care and technical support assistance help make your yearbook publishing experience a breeze! To request a yearbook sample, click here. If you would like to request a free price quote today, click here.
It’s hard to believe that summer is over! Back to school is a busy time for students and teachers alike. The ‘To-Do’ list can feel overwhelming: New stationery, new school books, new school supplies, to name a few!
One thing you’re probably not thinking of at the moment is your school yearbook. But getting ahead on yearbook planning can help you build a successful yearbook and stay on task. We’ve put together this checklist to help keep you on track, and build an awesome 2019 / 2020 yearbook.
Back to School Yearbook Staff Checklist
Find A Yearbook Company – Before you can get started on your yearbook, you’ll need a yearbook company. At YearbookLife, we’ve been providing an easier yearbook design process for almost two decades. We’ve removed a lot of the stress of the yearbook process with our easy-to-use yearbook design software, great customer care, training and technical support assistance.
Recruit Your Team – A great yearbook is created by a great team. You’re going to want a team of reliable volunteers to help. In the beginning of the school year, put the word out that you’re looking for teachers and parents to help with the yearbook.
Get Organized – You’ve put the call out for your team, now it’s important to understand the areas you’re going to need help in. Marketing of the yearbook, photography, proofreading and layout are just a few of the tasks that you’ll need to tackle.
Budget Considerations – Think about your yearbook budget. You’ll want to consider the cost of the yearbook, how much you’re going to charge buyers, and how you’re going to pay your yearbook provider.
Set Sales Goals – Set yourself sales goals for your yearbook. Establish a sales strategy. Will you need to consider fundraising for your yearbook? Having a clear idea ahead of time will make the process far smoother.
Page Ladder – We know, it’s not as exciting as picking candids or deciding on yearbook theme ideas. But the page ladder is an essential part of the yearbook creation process . You can use last year’s yearbook as inspiration, or you can start fresh.
It’s always a great idea to get a head start on your yearbook planning. But we’re giving you one more reason to get ahead: our Back to School Sale. Get our lowest prices of the season by signing up today. But hurry, our sale ends on November 1st, 2019! Request your yearbook sample and price quote today.
Are you planning to attend college or join the military / US Armed Forces next fall? If you’re looking for scholarship opportunities, check to see if you qualify for our scholarship sweepstakes. YearbookLife invites high school seniors from across the nation to participate in the 2nd Annual Yearbooklife “Yearbook Student” Scholarship Sweepstakes. Enter for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship.
Who is Eligible?
Students are eligible as long as they are currently in their senior year of high school, have been a member of the yearbook class / club / committee for at least 2 years, and are a legal U.S. citizen or permanent resident. It’s FREE to enter and eligibility is not based on current GPA level or financial need. Your school does not have to be a YearbookLife customer for you to qualify.
How Do I Enter?
Simply ask your yearbook teacher / adviser to complete this online form to enter. It’s that easy!
*The entry period is from September 1, 2019 to April 20, 2020 (11:59 p.m. ET). Only one entry per student.
How is the Winner Chosen?
The winner will be randomly selected by drawing on May 1, 2020. The “lucky” winner will be notified via email and announced on our YearbookLife Facebook page.
What is the Prize?
The winner will receive a one-time scholarship check in the amount of $1,000. YearbookLife will verify eligibility requirements with school administration. The check will be made payable to the winning qualified student and mailed to their home address.
