Basic Steps in Producing a Publication

1. Meet with the staff

Meet with Publications staff to review specific requirements for your publications, evaluate the time and expense involved, and determine the level of support you will need to complete your publication. We may not be able to answer all of your questions immediately (i.e., how much will this cost? Is it possible to print 500 in blue and 500 in green?), but we will do our best to get the answers you need quickly.

2. Build a production schedule

Based on your "delivery" deadline, a Publications staff member will work with you to create a realistic production schedule.

The schedule includes dates for:

• submit all original (and final) materials to Publications
• review design concepts
• select final art/photography
• review and revise text, layouts, artwork
• select colors, paper, and printer
• proof final pages and making corrections
• approve job and release to printer
• print & finish of job
• job delivery

3. Select and engage an appropriate designer

 Depending on the size, scope, and budget of your publication, the Office of Publications will recommend an appropriate graphic designer, layout artist, or production consultant. For more elaborate publications, we’ll provide samples of several different designers and work with you to select the one that’s best for the job.

4. Select artwork/photography

The Office of Publications maintains a large photo archive. Because many of our prints and slides are irreplaceable, we prefer to furnish electronic images to the campus community, as well as to outside designers. If we do have negatives for a picture you need, we can have a re-print made for you (cost varies depending on photo requirements). We also welcome outside designers to come in and use our equipment to scan Purchase College photos. This way, they can make sure they’re getting a scan that meets their needs.

5. Produce the Publication

Production entails a series of steps (see "production schedule"). During the initial design phase, the publications office will provide guidance and recommendations. If an outside designer/layout artist is engaged, the publications office will be available to assist with art direction, artwork selection, printing specifications, and technical questions. However, the basic steps in producing the publication will take place as a collaboration between the client (you) and the consultant (designer/layout artist.)

The Publication Office can provide referrals for photographers and proofreaders as necessary. We will also work with you to review page proofs before final material is sent to press.

6. Printing (off-campus)

Most professional designers will compose print specifications, and submit those "specs" to several printers for bids or estimates. Unless you and/or your designer is familiar with the New York State laws regarding printing agreements and the rigorous required bidding process, you must work with either the Office of Publications or the Purchase College Purchasing Dept. BEFOREawarding any job to any printer (except the Purchase College Print Shop).

The printing of publications off-campus is supervised for quality control by either a design consultant or a Publications staff member.