If you do not print a yearbook with us, but would like to know more about our offerings, please download this form and complete/fax back to us at 1-888-972-5329

Yearbook Inquiry Form (PDF FORMAT - Click/Print/Complete)

Would you like a quote for a school yearbook, memory book, photo book, or team book?

Here is all the info I will need:

• # of pages: (divisible by 4): 32-36-40-44-48-52-56-60-64-68-72-76-80, etc

• # of copies: minimum 50 for wholesale pricing set-up or below 50 requires special set-up. More you buy...better wholesale price you receive.  Can go up in increments of 10

• Type of pages: all color or all black/white (mix best in books over 120 pgs)

• Type of cover: Hard (board) or soft (card stock) or self cover (magazine/paper)

  • Cover Design: You design or one of our designs from a catalogue

• Page files: will you be supplying digital files (PDF's or JPEG's) or need to use our software solutions for creation on-line or via hard drive?  We can provide you all the info you need for page size (8.5 x 11 @ 400dpi). You can create pages in Photoshop and save as PDF's with embedded fonts or as JPEGS. You can also do the same with Microsoft Publisher and Adobe InDesign and other desktop programs.

• Date book needed: this will help us plan a printing cycle. Shorter printing cycles may require additional fees vs. longer printing cycles. Books with pages over 72 pages may require multiple deadlines for submission. Printing cycles begin after we receive all properly formatted files...if there is any change or error on the files, this will impact your printing cycle. (recommend at least a 35 business day print cycle for books where all deadlines are met & cover submitted on-time). Make sure to plan for shipping as well.

• Terms: 50% deposit upon submission of printing files & final 50% due upon shipment of books on large orders. Larger orders may require a different deposit cycle. Orders that are started and then cancelled before submission can result in a cancellation fee for services rendered. Fee is usually under $100 unless materials were ordered and work completed.

Another way to receive a quote is by setting up a budget. The best way to do this is to let me know how many books you need at a set price...I can then put together specs that can fit your price program. Example:

• If you need 75 books @ $30, that means you have a budget of $2,250. This means that you need a book to be printed below this amount. I can let you know your specifications on pages (considering you make all deadlines and submit files on time)

• If you need 50 books @ $25, that means you have a budget of $1,250. This means that you need a book to be printed below this amount. I can let you know your specifications on pages (considering you make all deadlines and submit files on time).

• Make you you take into consideration any funds or donations you raise to cover your cost. If you fund-raise $1,000 and you plan on ordering 200 books and want to sell them for $25 each, you will raise $5,000 on book sales you can add to the $1,000 you raised for a total of $6,000 budget. Let us know this amount so we can plan for a book to meet your budgetary needs.

Can My School Afford Getting A Yearbook?

We have answered the following commonly asked questions for you to ensure a good start on your yearbook project. Each question is actually a process you will go through to create your book.
 

Should we do a yearbook?

Determine if there is enough interest in your school. The minimum number of books you may order is 50. This could be a GRADE LEVEL BOOK or EVEN A GROUP BOOK...but we prefer a school-wide level YEARBOOK. The key is making sure you can sell them all and collect the $ for payment to the publisher...no copies can be returned for credit from the original order. Only a school official or authorized representative can initiate an agreement for the school. If a PTA or PTO is initiating a program, CLUB OFFICERS must initiate the agreement.

Consider sending home a survey with the students asking their parents if they are willing to purchase a yearbook and how much they are willing to spend. Make sure your parents have some realistic choices like $15 - $20 - $25. Also, make sure to list what is included in a yearbook. Determine if you want a color or a black and white book.

Black & white yearbook average sale price to students is as follows:

• Elementary: 40 pgs - Soft Cover - 200 copies = $15.00/book

• Jr. High: 64 pgs - Hard Cover - 300 copies = $20.00/book

• High School: 144 - 200 pgs - Hard Cover - 500 copies = $40-$60/book

Color yearbook average sale price to students is as follows:

• Elementary: 40 pgs - Soft Cover - 200 copies = $20.00/book

• Jr. High: 64 pgs - Hard Cover - 300 copies = $30.00/book

• High School: 144 - 200 pgs - Hard Cover - 500 copies = $50-$70/book

Can I pay for a program I have no idea I can afford?

Setting up a realistic budget is important as you review your process. The easiest way to set up a budget is to answer a few questions based upon the revenue you think you will raise.

• How many yearbooks do you think you will sell? (estimate 35% population)

• How much do you want to sell them for where audience will buy?

• Will you sell advertisement spots to businesses for extra revenue?

• Will you sell recognition ads to families for extra revenue?

• Will you sell pages to groups and sports teams?

• Will you have fundraisers?

• Will you receive donations?

Add up all the revenue and then see what your forecasted budget is...divide the total amount by the number of books you plan on ordering and you have a per copy price of how much you can spend. Here is a PDF of a budget planning form I provide schools...just enter the numbers and it will automatically tabulate your total. Provide us your estimated budget and we will produce a yearbook program to meet your budget with your copy count.

What plan will work best for us?

Most companies offer three to four plans in creating a yearbook. Here are the most common yearbook plans available:

• Paper Layout Plan: The publishing company does all page assembly for the school. This plan is fast and easy and all you need is the portraits from your photographer. Most companies provide a free kit that includes templates and clip art that can be used for each page. The kits usually come with complete instructions, page envelopes, mounting boards, and much more. Your photos are scanned and sized to fit each template you select at no additional charge. You submit your text as well. All montage/collage pages are need to be camera-ready. They are scanned and included in your book. You can also paste-up other pages if you can't find a template that will work.

• Cut & Paste Plan: If you love to do scrap-booking then this is the plan for you. Camera-ready pages are submitted for this plan. Your own background paper and clip art can be used. The publishing company usually provides you with a kit that includes tons of mounting board as well as page envelopes. Your responsibility is to paste down all photos, text, and artwork on your mounting board. What you see is What You Get without the enlargement of photos or text. This plan is considered by many to be very cumbersome, considering you have to paste down portraits as well.

• Digital or Computer Submitted Yearbooks: This yearbook is completed by using InDesign ® and a scanner to scan your photos. Some companies even let you send in photos to the plant so they can be enlarged or reduced for your yearbook pages. You can also use a digital camera for photos as well, considering you have a minimum 3.0 Mega pixel camera.  You usually receive a CD with templates, backgrounds, borders, clip art and fonts. You have the freedom to create your own page layouts. With this plan you are submitting completed digital documents with photos in place and a folder with all images collected, or photos in an envelope and pages on a diskette. Some companies provide you with there own yearbook software for laying out the pages in case you do not have PageMaker®.

• Internet Submitted Yearbooks: This new yearbook submission process allows you to create your own yearbook using the Internet. In this type of program, you are usually given a secure web-page with layouts for you to choose. You also send photos or upload digital images to the website for you to place on your pages. Once you pick your layouts, you then select the proper photos to complete your pages. Remember to use a digital camera for photos as well, considering you have a minimum 3.0 Mega pixel camera.  

How do we put it together?

If you have decided to produce a specific size yearbook outside of consideration of budget, then you must come up with answers to some very specific questions. 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, extra curricular 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 layout. ASK FOR YOUR PORTRAITS ON CD in COLOR (if possible). If your plan includes using candid photos taken by staff and/or students, be consistent as to the kind of film you use. This will assure better reproduction. Specifications you must consider are as follows:

• # of copies: (try to be conservative (35% of population is average)

• # of pages: (24 - 32 - 40 - 48 ) choose increments of 4 - 8 pgs

• Type of cover: Soft or Hard Cover (company design or custom design)

• Type of yearbook: All Color or Black & White

• Type of program: (see above)

• Delivery Date: Choose when you want the yearbook distributed

• Options: Ask for details on additional options to customize your yearbook

• Shipping: Get a quote for the delivery of the yearbooks to your school

• Rep Services: Ask what type of services the local representative provides

• HERE IS A PDF YOU CAN PRINT, COMPLETE, & FAX BACK

You will probably receive a total price as well as a per copy price. For example, you may want to order 200 yearbooks and you receive a quote of $3,000 or $15.00/book. Once you receive a quote and you review deadlines, you will be asked to enter into an agreement to produce a yearbook with the publishing company. This means that you have selected your OFFICIAL Yearbook Provider.

How do we organize our yearbook staff?

Assign committees: coordinator, publicity (advertising and sales), photography, design and layout, editing, bookkeeping. We suggest the staff include both an adviser and an assistant adviser.  It's best if the staff meets at the beginning of the school year to schedule times and dates for regular staff meetings. Weekly meetings are recommended to keep your yearbook on schedule. If your staff is made up of only two adults, may we recommend a designer and a bookkeeper.

Using your committees you can put the book together in stages. For example, at the beginning of the school year you could put together the classroom pages, and then as each activity, school event or sporting season goes by add those pages to your book. The most common sections in a yearbook are as follows:

• Student Life Activity shots of events & school life

• People: Portraits of all your students & adults

• Sports: Any teams on campus

• Clubs: Any clubs on campus

• Academics: Any curricular classes that are unique (choir, band, etc.)

• Advertisements: usually 4 pgs used to help pay for yearbook

When can I receive my Yearbook?

All publishers will provide you a deadline schedule for page submissions so as to meet a delivery date to your school. Make sure you secure a guaranteed delivery date for your yearbook and then inquiry when the yearbook must be submitted. Other deadline might exist like a cover deadline, final book order deadline, and more. Make sure to review all deadlines from the publisher.

Who will print my yearbook?

I would like to hope that by the time you reach this question, you will have the answer...MY OFFICE. I have been involved in yearbooks since 1989. I have seen the introduction of the computer, desktop publishing, digital camera, DVD's, internet publishing, and e-commerce, and more into the world of yearbook. Since 1989, I have been involved in over 1000 different yearbook productions...no one in the area has as much experience and expertise and passion.

Be aware...not all companies & representatives are the same or equal. I have seen many other companies disappear and/or destroy school yearbook programs. BEWARE OF SALES REPS THAT TRY TO SELL YOU EVERYTHING WITHOUT EXPLAINING ANYTHING. Also...beware of the "WE GOT THAT TOO" statements...EDUCATION is the KEY...and exercising your knowledge to make wise choices is critical. Remember, the cost of terrible service & poor quality are long remembered after the excitement of low price fades away...."

You can always trust my office with your memories because we care about you and your school, & we are committed to doing the best for all. We will always be fair about every situation...including price & service! I hope this info has been very useful for your review...Call me if you have any questions...1-888-316-1408