Print publications
Although we encourage you to adopt a digital-first approach and will support you with this, there remains a place for print publications for both research promotion and student recruitment purposes.
Commissioning new brochures, flyers, and posters
Please complete the marketing briefing document (pg.3) and share it with the relevant member of the Student Marketing and Recruitment Team.
Doing this will allow you to accurately assess the need for this project, who your target audience is and how to make sure you get your key messages across to them.
There are four stages of the print creation process.
Pre-production
Determine your budget, complete the marketing brief (pg.3) and share it with the relevant member of the Student Marketing and Recruitment Team.
You’ll also need to identify three possible agencies to work with on the project if you are not creating content in-house. Get quotes and ideas from each before selecting one to move forward with - they will also want to see the brief. For your external printing needs the University has a range of 20 approved printers. Please note that you will only be able to use suppliers that have been selected by the University.
Determine the key messages and tone of voice - the reader should leave with an overarching 'take-home message' – how will you get this across? The University has guidance on the written word, as well as a house style. It is essential you refer to these.
Establish the final deadline for delivery of the printed content, and work backwards from that date - leave plenty of time for copy-editing, as well as contingency time for any unforeseen issues.
Creation
If you are creating a piece of work that needs the input of a design company or team, it is important that they understand the proposal and job required.
When you agree to the work with a design team you should make them aware of the following:
- background to the project
- what you are trying to achieve
- who the target audience is
- what the key messages are
- the tone of voice
- creative direction (what you like, what you are expecting to see, examples of other work you like)
- what imagery you want to use
- how the work will be distributed (this may affect format)
- budget
- quantity required (for print)
- timescales for completion
- metrics and measurement of success.
Provide them with a comprehensive brief, as well as all the copy and high-quality imagery to be used in the printed material.
Please make sure the agency refers to the University’s guidance on printed material, so they use the correct logo, colour palette, and fonts.
Post-production
The agency should agree to deliver a number of drafts before the final version is complete and you’re happy with it.
With each draft stage, be comprehensive and clear in your feedback - asking for amends once the finished version has been produced may result in additional costs.
Be clear on who has final sign off on the printed content.
Delivery and promotion
Once the finished version is completed and signed off, the agency will deliver the files for you to use. Ask the agency to provide you with all master files and artwork, store assets in a shared folder for easy accessibility and reference and so any updates to content can easily be made in-house.
It is also vital to evaluate the success of your print publication. For more information on how you can do this, please contact our Student Marketing and Recruitment Team.
Resources
For more information on obtaining existing print publications, including our Research Beacons brochures, business engagement case studies, and research centre or institute leaflets, please contact our Communications and Content Team.