University Printing can be accomplished in several ways -- each of which has its own unique requirements. This is a general guide to getting your job done efficiently and in a cost-effective manner.
Remember: All printing requires planning. If you are unsure whether a printed piece is necessary for your communication needs, please review the Printing Services Assistance Form. You may schedule a meeting with Ellen Fure, print manager, to discuss other options as well. The Printing Services Assistance Form also helps you work through the process of developing your ideas, so please use it as a tool. It is required to be submitted with each new commercial print job.
The University uses a Visual Identity System to ensure that all words, marks, logos and colors are used consistently. If you are responsible for creating materials to be duplicated, please know the basic elements of the Visual Identity System.
As you consider the options below, note that all copy services are self-service through the vendor(s). All other print jobs must be initiated through the University Relations Office. No university employees are authorized to enter into any agreement with print vendors independently.
Black and white copying/reproduction - Single sheets
Single sheet -- Jobs of less than 300 copies requiring no folding or extra handling are most easily handled with department/office copiers or printers. Exception: You require a paper stock that you don’t normally use in-house, such as color paper or textured stock. In those instances use Superior Print.
Multiple sets -- How you get your copies of multiple sets depends on whether you have convenient access to a multi-function copier. In general, if the total number of copies for the run is less than 300, it is most easily handled in-house as long as your copier handles stapling, etc. If you copier does not and you have more than 50 sets of multiple pages, this would be a good job for Superior Print. Also, if you require spiral binding or special covers, Superior Print should be consulted. If it is a binding that Superior Print does not provide, then you may access other local vendors like Shel-Don Reproduction using your Pro-Card for payment.
Color copies -- For low runs of less than 50 copies, run a cost analysis of your printer, toner and time to determine your in-house cost. Compare your cost to that of the commercial vendor, Superior Print. Please note that the cost for color copying decreases as quantity increases. It is advisable that anything over 500 copies be considered as a commercial printing job. Call Ellen Fure at 394-8458 for a quotation. Be advised that color copying requires a little extra time and commercial printing requires considerably more time for set up and printing.
Document preparation
Superior Print -- Know how to create your document in Portable Document Format or PDF. Our copy contract specifies that the vendor will accept other programs, however, PDF is the most efficient way to get copies made. The quality of copies goes down with paper originals. Superior Print reports a high number of paper originals coming to them for duplicating. Time and energy expended is lessened and quality is improved using PDF files. Watch for announcements on workshops on creating PDF files. For other software support, contact the HelpDesk.
Commercial printing -- If you are planning to do large runs of black and white (thousands), large color jobs or multi-fold jobs, it is in your best interest to purchase and learn the software program Quark, available for either for Windows-based personal computers or Macintosh computers. This is the standard software for commercial printers. Depending on your proficiency, you can either complete your document for pre-press or start it in a format that is more easily manipulated by the university graphic artist or the vendor. University Relations has begun working with several staff members who know the program well enough to prepare their documents sufficiently for easy translation by the vendor.
The University has one official graphic artist. She has a schedule of publications for which she can do design for commercial printing. Other publications will be worked into the schedule on a case-by-case basis. All requests for design work must be forwarded to the Director of University Relations. Please complete the Printing Services Assistance Form and a signed purchase requisition and forward them to the graphic artist.
Another option is to have your job designed by the printer. This will require between $65 and $85 an hour of design time to be added to your cost. With pre-planning design time may be worked into a print bid, saving some costs.
Commercial printing follows strict statewide guidelines. Only the university graphic artist will contact the printer. This ensures jobs are properly bid and prepared. Individuals initiating commercial printing on their own will not be reimbursed with state funds.