Deadlines, design decisions, photo chaos, and a ton of approvals to wade through ... that's what it's like to organize a yearbook. At the same time, you want to create something that students will continue to cherish for years to come. Thankfully, yearbook printing can be the easiest step of all. Whether you're an advisor, a teacher, or a volunteer, there are ways to make yearbook printing easier than ever. Here's what to know:
Choose your format first
The first step you'll take before you even start organizing photos and artwork is to decide on the format. Will your yearbook be hardcover or softcover? Glossy or matte? At OnPress Book Printing, we offer custom yearbook printing services for all types of styles including hardcover, softcover, portrait, landscape, and more.
Our turnaround times are also second to none, with a variety of trim sizes to accommodate your vision for your yearbook design. With the right setup, we can print and ship your yearbooks in as little as 2–4 business days.
Prepare your files
Photos, class lists, club rosters, event captions ... it's a lot to manage. The best way to organize your yearbook printing is to create shared folders and set early submission deadlines for each section. This makes sure you have plenty of time to lay out the pages correctly without the last-minute chaos.
The better your yearbook assets, the better the outcome. If this is your first time preparing a yearbook for printing, here's what to know:
- High-resolution images are a must (300 DPI or more)
- Save images as CMYK format
- Include a 0.125" bleed
- Embed fonts
- Save your layout as a print-ready PDF
We offer free yearbook templates for Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, Pages, and many other formats. Simply make a few choices and instantly download a template and get a quote for your yearbook printing needs. We also offer a helpful file setup guide to make sure your PDFs are print ready.
Of course, if you have any questions during the print preparation process, reach out to our friendly team of experts. We offer simple, easy-to-follow file guidelines to make sure you're set up for flawless yearbook printing, and we'd be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Lay out your yearbook like a pro (even if you're not!)
If the thought of using tools like Adobe InDesign or other print design software makes you panic — don't worry, we've got you covered. Our free yearbook design templates work with a variety of programs, so you can be sure you're laying out each page with print-safe zones to prevent bleed issues or other weird interior layout issues.
Proof before you print
Think of the proofing process as your safety net before your yearbooks get printed. We strongly recommend requesting a printed proof so that you can see exactly what your yearbook will look like before you place your full order. This is the ideal time to check for things like color issues, typos, or layout problems before your design goes to print.
If anything looks off, let us know and we can work with you to fix the issue. We provide a digital PDF proof, however, it's also a good idea to order a physical printed proof so that you can actually hold the result in your hands and see it with fresh eyes (and not just on a screen).
Print, ship, relax
Once you're satisfied with the proof, let our printing professionals handle the rest. We print all our books (including yearbooks) right here in-house with G7-certified, roll-fed presses. This allows us to not only capture high-quality, beautiful color consistently, but also makes sure each and every yearbook we print looks flawless from start to finish. Our roll-fed presses place a premium on speed without sacrificing quality, and delivery can be as soon as 2–4 business days for most quantities.
We can also ship your yearbooks in bulk directly to the school with tracking available, so you'll know precisely when they'll arrive.
How much does it cost to get a yearbook printed? Are there any minimum orders?
Yearbook printing starts with a print run of as few as 25 copies — making it ideal for small classes or clubs. Pricing is affordable with rates as low as ~$15 per book (8.5"x11" for 100 copies). We also have no hidden setup fees, and our online quote tool lets you know exactly what the costs will be upfront. Plus, if you find a lower price elsewhere for the same book specs from another U.S.-based printer, we'll match it. That way, you don't have to sacrifice quality or speed for price.
Getting started with yearbook printing at OnPress Book Printing
Printing a yearbook is about more than just printing photos. You're in charge of capturing a year's worth of laughter, chaos, inside jokes, school spirit, and victories large and small. The difference between a phenomenal yearbook and one that just gathers dust is all in the process and in the quality of the end result.
For this reason, OnPress Book Printing is more than just your yearbook printing solution. We're your behind-the-scenes production team. We give you the tools, templates, and support to help you, your team, and your students excitedly flip through your yearbooks with pride. Whether it's your first year as a yearbook advisor or you're a seasoned pro who wants to sidestep all the headaches and guesswork, we're here for you every step of the way.
Say goodbye to complicated platforms, flimsy deadlines, and overpriced print runs that come out looking average at best. See the fruits of your hard work paid off with a print process that works with you and for you. Ready to start your yearbook project with OnPress? Start now by downloading our free templates or requesting a quote directly online through our free quote calculator. Then relax as our team handles the printing so that you can enjoy yearbooks that are delivered on time — with zero drama.