X
Home Marketing and Communication Our Team Planning Timelines

Project Planning Timelines

Advance planning is crucial to having your deliverable ready when needed. Based on our experience, the average minimum lengths of time needed to complete various projects from the day we receive your final and approved content (copy and images) are outlined below. Our definition of "approved" is when final written copy and image selection has been agreed upon and indicated by the signature of the department head or project head on the proofed copy, and the piece will not undergo any subsequent changes. Substantial changes to written copy made after final approval will significantly slow down production turnaround times. If you have to make changes, it will delay the production. Bottom line. In addition, we only allow for two rounds of proofs before a final deliverable is produced so it is crucial to get us approved copy and content from the start. The Office of Marketing and Communications must also give final approval on all materials.

Following are typical expectations for project timelines. No project is ever the same as the last. Each comes with its own unique variables. Timelines will also be dependent upon the scope of the project and where it fits in the editorial calendar with other projects, as well as resources available at that time.

  • Overall campaign concept – one to three months
  • Standalone brochure or booklet – three to four weeks
  • Standalone poster, flyer, or postcard – two to four weeks
  • Standalone ad(s) for media – two to four weeks
  • Event Save the Dates and Invitation Packages – two to four weeks
  • Artwork for specialty items, t-shirts, etc. – one to three weeks
  • Digital graphics, i.e. email header and footer – one to three weeks
  • View books, newsletters, and magazines – eight weeks minimum

NOTE: Printing/production adds an additional 1-3 weeks, based on the complexity of the piece or production process.

Please remember we have provided many resources in the Marketing Toolkit for you to be able to create some of these pieces on your own. All University collateral material is required to carry a production code and an affirmative action statement, and our office still needs to give final approval before anything is sent to production or placed with media.