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The Office of Marketing and Communications

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Graphic Design FAQs

Clayton State faculty and staff who need design assistance for printed materials such as brochures, posters, flyers, event programs, postcards, bookmarks and other promotional pieces should complete the graphic design request form.

Turnaround time for design varies depending on the complexity of the project and the volume of other projects in the queue. Please request design services at least three weeks prior to the date you wish to receive the final design file. You will also need to coordinate with Media & Printing Services or your own printing vendor regarding the printing and delivery of your printed materials.

When should I request a design?
At minimum, three weeks in advance of the date the final design file is needed. However, if you know in advance of three weeks that you will need services, you can certainly put in your request and get on the designer’s calendar. Please note: design won’t actually begin until all text and other project information has been provided to the designer. Make sure you also allow for time to print your materials.

How long does the design process take?
Design of materials should be accomplished in a maximum of three weeks. If you have a project that will take longer than three weeks to complete, a designer will inform you of the projected completion date.

Does it cost to have materials designed?
No. Faculty and staff can use the design services at no cost.

What revisions can I make?
After the electronic draft is sent to you, you will have the opportunity to send the designer changes to the text. In order to expedite the process of reaching the final design, please review your draft and reply with any changes as soon as possible. Failure to respond quickly with edits can set back your final receipt of the file. If you are working with a committee to agree on the final design, please provide lead time when requesting the project if you anticipate a lengthy revision process.

What are the dimensions of a poster?
11x17 (vertical) or 17x11 (horizontal)

What are the dimensions of a flyer?
8.5x11 (vertical) or 11x8.5 (horizontal)

What are the dimensions of a brochure?
11x8.5 (horizontal), tri-fold

What are the dimensions of a postcard?
Postcards can come in a variety of sizes. Please check with your printing vendor for the sizes they accommodate.

Do I need to know the final size of my material before I request design assistance?
Yes. You will need to let the designer know the dimensions before design begins. For example, if you want a postcard created, the designer needs to know the width and height dimensions before building the file. He or she will also need to know if you want your project to have bleeds.

What are bleeds?
When any image or element on a page touches the edge of the page, extending beyond the trim edge and leaving no margin, it is said to bleed. It may bleed or extend off one or more sides. Photos, colors and decorative text elements can bleed off the page. Depending on your printer, bleeds may cost more to print.

Colors?
Four color process or full color means that your project can contain any color you want. If you want to use photographs in your material and you want them in color, then you should request full color for your project. Please check with your printing vender, since full color can cost more. Other printing methods include two color (i.e. you only want to use orange and blue) or black and white. Two color printing is generally more cost effective than full color. Black and white is generally the cheapest.

Submitting Photographs: What is meant by 300 dpi?
All submitted photographs must be 300 dpi in order to print clearly. Most images on the Internet are saved at 72 dpi (web quality), so they load quickly in your browser. These images, however, will not print clearly because their resolution is too low. If you have saved images off the Internet, there is a good chance those images will not be high enough resolution for print. Photos taken with digital cameras usually are preset to take photos at 300 dpi. The designer will inform you if your photos are acceptable for use, or if alternative photos need to be chosen.

I don’t have photographs… can you choose for me?
Yes. The designer can choose photographs appropriate for your project that meet the required print quality, 300 dpi guidelines. If you have suggestions about the type of photographs you want the designer to choose, please include them when you complete the design request form.

What factors can affect printing cost?
Bleeds, the number of colors you use (full color/four color process vs. two color vs. black and white), unusual sizes, and a host of other factors can influence printing cost. Please determine how much your budget can afford before requesting design services so that the designer can create a professional piece that works within your financial boundaries.

Can the designer tell me how much my project will cost to print?
No. The designer only creates the print-ready file. You are responsible with communicating with the printer regarding cost, delivery, etc.

Where do I get my materials printed?
The campus community is encouraged to use our on-campus print shop, Media & Printing Services. If you chose Media & Printing to print your materials, you must provide them with your departmental account number to pay for the printing. You must also inform them of the number of brochures, posters, flyers, etc. that you need. You must also give them your preferred delivery date. Contact them at media&printingservices@clayton.edu if you have questions about on-campus printing.

What if I choose an off-campus printer?
If you choose to use a vendor other than Media & Printing, you are responsible for coordinating printing, payment, delivery, etc. with that vendor. A Clayton State graphic artist can upload the design file to the printer’s FTP or site, or provide a CD for you to mail/deliver to your vendor, depending on what file submission requirements they have.

Can I create my own designs in Microsoft Publisher?
You should not. Microsoft Publisher is not recommended design software among designers and printing vendors. Output of printing from Publisher is sub-par; many printers won’t accept Publisher files at all. Design is also limited in Publisher. In order to assure a professional appearance and a professional output of fonts and photographs, Clayton State offers professional design assistance to faculty and staff.

I need the University logo. How do I request that?
Usage of the logo must be approved by the Office of Marketing and Communications. Please contact annepeniston@clayton.edu for requests to use the University logo. If you are requesting design services, the designer can place the Clayton State logo in your design for you.

Other questions?
If you have a question that isn’t on this FAQ list, please send your question to annepeniston@clayton.edu.

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