There are two main decisions that go into creating the perfect yearbook. The first is the software used to design the book. The second decision is ensuring that the printing of the yearbook goes easily and smoothly, mainly driven by the yearbook company you work with. With these two decisions under control, your school can count on having an amazing yearbook.
There are many different software options for creating the perfect yearbook. Each year, students make their yearbook the most important book for that graduating class. Many people keep their yearbooks for as long as they live and look back on them often. This puts a lot of pressure on the design and layout of the yearbook. There are companies that provide yearbook software for schools, but choosing the right one can be a daunting decision.
Types of yearbook software
For schools who wish to create the yearbook layout for themselves, there are many different kinds of yearbook computer programs to help. Choosing the right yearbook software is important for several reasons. First of all, the cost of the software is a large part of the yearbook budget. Secondly, the type of software that is chosen is important because each software program has different strengths and weaknesses.
Software | Difficulty of use | Image editing | Template available | Typical Cost (per license) | The "low-down" |
Adobe InDesign | High | Yes | Yes | > $700 | Industry standard tool, gives tons of flexibility but difficult to learn to use |
Microsoft Publisher | Medium | Limited | Yes | $200 | Easier to learn with great flexibility. There are some bugs in the software that may surprise you (e.g,. transparent images) |
QuarkXpress | High | Yes | Yes | $500 | Similar to InDesign. Robust tool with tons of flexibility, but more difficult to learn to use |
PageMaker | High | Yes | Yes | $300 | Older software, not in as much use anymore |
Microsoft Office | Low | Limited | No | Depending* | If you know how to use MS Word, this is sometimes the simplest option. Not as flexible |
PelicanSoft Yearbooks Desktop! | Low | Yes | Yes | $200 | Solid yearbook tool with tons of templates. Some limitations on flexibility but built with a number of great utilities to make yearbooks easier (e.g., layout of profiles) |
* Many computers are already loaded with the suite of Microsoft office tools (e.g., Word, Powerpoint). Purchasing a new license typically in the range of $250-300 (less for academic licenses)
Working with your yearbook printer
There are a number of yearbook companies that do a great job helping schools with their yearbooks each year. Jostens, Entourage Yearbooks, Lifetouch, and Taylor Yearbooks are a few of the most popular. There are 4 areas in particular you can ask your yearbook printer for help with in regards to your yearbook software.
1. Templates & clip art - Get your hands on the library of templates and clip-art used. Most companies have a CD that they can distribute to help you get the basics right first. Entourage Yearbooks provides a good comprehensive "starter-kit" with templates & clip art.
2. Electronic & printed proofs - Make sure to ask for both a printed and electronic proof (usually PDF) from your printer to make sure the book looks the way it does on your computer.
3. Discounted software - Many yearbook companies can offer software at lower that list prices, ask about discounts and offers.
4. Technical support - Your yearbook company can provide technical support beyond what the software company can usually provide on page specification and color palettes. Make sure you know who to contact for which questions.
Starting on your yearbook project
Creating a great yearbook involves more than just the software you use but you don't have to be hindered by the software either. Following the above steps can help you get past a lot of the common "pitfalls" other schools have run into. There are a few final things to keep in mind for anyone embarking on a yearbook project. First, it's a lot of coordination to create a yearbook. Be ready to be working with a lot of people. Second, the software you use can be your friend or enemy, choose the right one for you wisely. Finally, remember to ask your yearbook company for help, the better ones will have figured out a lot of the more technical problems for you already.
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