Publication Guidelines

The Basics

Publications abound at Penn State Altoona, as with most colleges and universities. They are one of the most important tools that we have to create a positive image for our campus. Therefore it is essential that our publications, both external and internal, meet the highest standards in terms of writing, design, content, photography, and production. Publications include the following:

  • Newsletters
  • Catalogues
  • Brochures
  • Flyers
  • Advertisements
  • Posters
  • Programs
  • Post cards
  • Folders
  • Invitations
  • Miscellaneous items (bookmarks, table tents, tickets, etc.)

The staff of the Office of University Relations is here to help all departments with their publications needs. We have the training and skills to produce high quality publications while maintaining a coherent, consistent look for the college to promote one image, or vision, for Penn State Altoona. By doing so, customer recognition will be increased in this age of junk mail and sensory overload through the mass media. This office is concerned with all external publications that target prospective students, parents, current students, alumni, donors, and friends and neighbors of the college as well as all all internal publications.

To maintain the quality and consistency of institution-wide publications, and in accordance with the Penn State policy, the Office of University Relations must review all publications, both internal and external, and assign a U.Ed. Number, regardless of whether University Relations designs the project.

Getting Started

The Office of University Relations needs sufficient time to create a publication, both from the writing and design perspective as well as printing. To request assistance with a publication, please fill out the on-line publication request form. Your first step is to contact the director of University Relations. At this point, the project will be assigned to a member of the UR staff who will work with you and the director through the completion of your project.

Begin early!

Remember, the more time that we have to work with you, the better the final product. Also remember that each publication must be put on a production schedule with the printer. While the Office of University Relations may be able to design your piece within a short time frame, the printer needs sufficient time to produce the piece. This may include ordering special paper or other special needs. So think ahead—printers usually need two weeks after the art has been approved to produce the final product.

Contact the Office of University Relations at least SIX WEEKS prior to the date that you will need your publication.

Be prepared to provide the Office of University Relations with the following:

  • Purpose of and audience for your publication
  • Manner of distribution of publication
  • Format of the printed publication
  • Number of copies needed
  • Time constraints
  • Budget number to be charged
  • Monetary budget for project

Preparing the Copy
Let us help you. The Office of University Relations is available to help you write your publications. Just provide the basic details and our staff will assemble them into the appropriate format. You will have an opportunity to review the written material and approve it before it is printed. Any changes must be made prior to signing off on the approval sheet.

If you write the copy
All copy must be submitted digitally and in a hard copy format.

We will review the copy for general editing and in accordance with the University Style guide.

Disk Preparation
When preparing copy, don't try to duplicate how the final printed publication will look. Rather than using uppercase letters or bolding and underlining words to call attention to certain text, mark this information in red ink on the hard copy you provide with your digital file. Also, avoid using extra tabs, columns or extra spaces in preparing the copy. If you have a particular format in mind, bring a sample or mock design with you rather than doing any layout on the disk.

Revising an existing publication
If your project is an update of a previously published piece, you may be able to use the old piece to make your changes. During your initial meeting with our staff, we should be able to tell you if the publication is on file. If so, neatly write the new text above or on the side of the printed piece in red ink. If the publication is not on file, you may need to submit the text on disk.

Proofreading
University Relations staff members will be responsible for the initial proofreading of any publication. Final approval, however, will be your responsibility. Be sure to not only spell check but read through the publication, as spell check does not pick up words that are spelled correctly but improperly used.

Accurate copy
One of the most important components of the publications process is the need for accurate and final copy. This is a crucial element of the design. Without final copy, we cannot guarantee cost and we may not be able to meet the project deadline due to redesigns and printing changes.

We are available to:

  • Prepare and edit your copy
  • Design your publication
  • Prepare and send out bids to printers
  • Manage your printing needs

The staff of the Office of University Relations keeps current with the latest trends in college marketing and publications as well as the most effective way to market your program. Please give us the opportunity to work with you in making your publications the best that they can be!

Printing

Coordination of your printing needs with external printers is a service provided through the Office of University Relations. We do not coordinate on-campus printing services done through the copy center. We utilize several different printing vendors on a regular basis. These vendors have proven that they can provide the level of quality expected of a Penn State Altoona publication.

If you wish to have the Office of University Relations arrange to have your piece printed, please contact us. We will have you complete the appropriate documentation to ensure that we understand your printing needs. This will ensure that the bid request sent out to printers is accurate. Please have available the following information:

  • Number of printed pieces required.
  • Size of piece, including estimated number of pages. The exact number may change once the piece is designed.
  • Number of colors. Remember: black is one color and an additional color is two colors, etc. Full-color photographs are considered four color and black and white photographs are considered "half-tones," which may increase the cost of printing your piece.
  • Budget to be charged and total budget/grant allocation for project.
  • Deadline for delivery of printed publication. Please indicate if the publication is tied to an event or other program for which a date has been set.
  • Delivery destination. Unless otherwise requested, printed items will be delivered to the Office of University Relations. We will log the piece in and check the quality. We will notify you that the piece has arrived so that you may make arrangements to pick it up. Pick up from the Office of University Relations is your responsibility.

Once the complete print specifications are available to us—usually during the design process—we will contact one or more of the printers we deem appropriate for the job to obtain a price estimate. We will compare this price quote with the budgeted amount you have provided on the on-line publications request form. If there is a large discrepancy between your budgeted amount and the quote, we will contact you to discuss other options.

If you choose to use a vendor other than the one chosen by the Office of University Relations, you may do so. However, we would ask you to manage these projects. We will be able to provide you with printing specifications but we would ask you to assume responsibility for all contact with that printer, including delivery. If you have a printer that you would like us to consider, please contact us to set up a meeting.

Printing times range from one week to one month, depending upon the size and complexity of the job. Please consider printing times when figuring the amount of time for the entire project.

The Office of University Relations will make every attempt to produce your publication within the time frame that you have specified. However, client delays and major changes to the original material will delay receipt of the printed publication.

We will try not to bump scheduled projects for rush projects whenever possible.

We also will let you know immediately if your publication cannot be produced within your requested time frame.

So please plan ahead. Initiate your publications as far in advance as possible by contacting us as soon as you know that you will need a printed publication and have some idea of what those needs are.

By working together in advance, we can produce timely, high quality publications for Penn State Altoona.

And Finally…

Remember to work backward.

Before you sit down to produce a publication, please check with the publisher of your document (i.e.: printer, service bureau, copy shop, etc.) with what you will need to give them: