The SUNY Rockland Community College Graphic Services Department is responsible for the layout and design of all college publications and instructional materials. The department is staffed by two full-time graphic designers and one secretary with editing support from the Campus Communications Department.

This department handles approximately 800 work requests a year. These include the catalog, class schedules, registration materials, booklets, flyers, posters, covers, forms, calendars, newsletters, ads, invitations/announcements, certificates, stationery, business cards, folders, signs, charts and graphs, maps, labels, billboards and more.

Initiating a Work Request

For any project to get started in Graphic Services requires the submission of a completed Work Request Form with the proper signatures, along with the text, photos or any art, plus any instructions attached. Incomplete requests will be returned. You can submit the text of the project on a computer disk, saved to TEXT, with a (hard) copy. (see Submitting Text)

Planning

We require 2 weeks to complete the average job, longer, when the workload dictates. Another 5 working days are required for printing. Some work takes considerably longer. Projects such as brochures, and booklets take much more time. Graphics will determine the size, format, style, use of art and photography, and the color, texture & weight of the paper.

Reprints

Graphic Services maintains the files of originals, so when in need of just a reprint, we're the place to start, with a Work Request and a sample of the job.

Text Proofing

Ensure your text is accurate and complete prior to submission (not later during proofing). Last-minute changes are expensive. A seemingly small change late in the production schedule will sometimes require extensive redesign.

Submitting Text

Submit a computer disk (PC or Mac) with an accompanying hard copy. When submitting copy on a disk it is important to submit the text itself, any style or format commands inhibit the translation and design process.

Follow these guidelines when preparing your file:

Submit a 3 ½" disk, PC or Mac. Use word processing software (Microsoft Word) and save the file as text (.txt). Input all copy in upper and lower case, flush to the left margin, in a single-column format. Enter one space, not two, between sentences. Allow type to wrap within paragraphs. That is, do not enter returns at the end of each line; allow the computer to break lines automatically within the paragraph. Do not break lines with hyphens. Do not double space between sentences; use a single space. Do not underline, italicize, embolden or enter text in ALL CAPS. Skip a line between paragraphs instead of indenting. Avoid shift-returns; use paragraph (hard) returns. Enter Tab with one tab. Do not try to line up. We will format after translation. Note the file name on the disk as well as the paper copy. Number all pages of your paper copy.

Revising Existing Publications

If you are submitting an existing publication for minor revision, you, you need not submit text on a computer disk. Simply mark revisions on a copy of the current publication in RED INK.

If revisions are more extensive, but most of the current text will be retained, submit a disk with the changes only and indicate where they are to be inserted on a copy of the current publication.

Editing

For the purposes of accuracy and consistency, the Campus Communications staff retains the final editorial authority for all SUNY Rockland Community College publications.

Production Schedule Deadlines

Production schedules for major publications will include a series of deadlines for submission of text, proofing, etc. If these dates are not kept, we cannot guarantee projects will be completed on time. If text is submitted late, or another deadline is missed, the final due date will be rescheduled according to current workload and priorities.

Final Proofing

The client is responsible for verifying accuracy of content during final proofing. Text changes at this time will delay your due date.

Doing It Yourself?

SUNY Rockland Community College publications are produced by the Graphic Services Department. Editorial and design consistency must be maintained. These publications are normally targeted for a college-wide or public audience. Check with us before starting any project, which may be regarded by the target audience as an official SUNY Rockland Publication.