Printing of even the smallest job normally requires ten days to two weeks, due to other projects in the pipeline. When workloads are light, faster turnaround can be accomplished, but clients should plan on that amount of time for the actual printing of the publication. More complex publications can take up to three weeks to print, depending on the length of the publication; drying time; trimming, special folds or binding; and the quantity of the print run.
The expectation is that, whenever possible, university publications will be printed and mailed through Central Services. While Central Services handles the majority of production jobs, publications that have a very large print run (e.g, 10,000 or more copies), require 4-color printing, or entail irregular folding or special binding are sent to off-campus printers.
Pre-press, including high resolution scanning of images, may be required for jobs printed in Central Services as well as for off-campus printing. Communications publications staff will work with vendors to provide the pre-press specifications needed by Central Services or off-campus printers. Pre-press charges for individual jobs are billed to the requesting department.
The designer will also work with the printer in arranging folding, binding, or embossing, as required by the design and approved by the client.
Jobs that do not require Communications design or production support should be sent directly to Central Services. See the Central Services webpage for staff contacts and a copy of the Order and Billing Form.