Publications Marketing and Communications

The Publication Process

The table below outlines the stages in preparing a publication.


Step Action Time Result How to Checklist
1. Planning a communications strategy Define your purpose and audience. Allow sufficient time to define and discuss with others.
  • Clear goal for producing a document.
  • Audience defined.
  • Medium(s) selected.
2. Planning and briefing Arrange to meet and discuss requirements with key stakeholders. Allow 2 weeks to notify and organise meeting, develop written brief, contact suppliers including designers, printers, photographers.
  • Publication brief developed.
  • Schedule developed.
  • Suppliers contacted.
3. Design Establish design concept. Allow 2-3 weeks for development and production of final design concepts.
  • Design brief produced.
  • Design concepts developed.
  • Design concepts approved.
4. Copy collation Research and write publication text. Allow 2-3 weeks to research and collate information.
  • Initial draft copy produced and approved.
5. Editing Edit and structure document. Allow 1-2 weeks for editing and approval.
  • Manuscript developed.
  • Manuscript authorised.
6. Layout Desktop layout of approved manuscript using approved design template. Allow 1-3 weeks for layout and approval.
  • Completed laid out document ready for final authorisation.
7. Signoff Refer document to authoriser for final signoff. Allow several days for authorisation.
  • Document signed off.
  • Ready for print.
  
8. Print Check all files are correct, packaging and delivery instructions clear then despatch to printer. Allow 2-4 weeks for printing.
  • Printed document delivered on time.
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