How to Choose a Yearbook Company

As a school administrator, one of the jobs you are likely faced with is choosing a yearbook company to work with for your school’s yearbook. The problem is there are many yearbook companies out there, and it can become an overwhelming process and decision, with each company claiming they are the best.  So how do you narrow down your choices and find the best yearbook company for your school?

Questions to Ask Yearbook Printing Companies

Ask these questions when deciding which of the many yearbook printing companies to go with:

What Will the Entire Project Cost?

Some yearbook companies may try to have you sign on the dotted line with the promise that your yearbook will only cost X amount of dollars. If it seems like you’re getting a deal that’s too good to be true, it may be because they don’t include all of the costs in their initial quote. Some sneaky fees that can add up fast include:

• Unsold books
• Late fees
• Shipping costs
• Software subscriptions
• Training and support costs
• Custom cover upgrades
• Personalized pages costs
• Online photo storage fees

To avoid surprise fees or busting your budget, ask for an itemized list of costs during your consultation. You should also ask the following price-related questions:

• What is the standard industry name for this type of yearbook?
• How much will it cost to add or remove pages later?
• Are there any extra fees for services not included in the contract price?
• Is it possible to customize the package to fit within my budget?

What Services Do You Provide?

Each yearbook company will offer its own suite of services, which can include:

• An online yearbook creation platform.
• Customizable design options.
• Printing and delivery.
• Online photo storage.
• Online sales.

Asking about service (and their costs) ahead of time can help ensure you choose a yearbook package that has exactly what you need and that you’re not paying for services you won’t use.

Is Your Yearbook Software User-Friendly?

You don’t want to spend large amounts of time — or money — trying to learn how to create your yearbook. This is why it’s vital to ensure that the yearbook company you choose has software that’s straightforward and simple to use.

Try to schedule a live demonstration if possible. This will let you see how the software works in real-time and ask any questions along the way.

How Many Deadlines Does Your Yearbook Company Have?

As you may know, some yearbook printing companies will give you deadlines for things like your cover design, class pages, senior portraits, ads, etc. If you miss one of these deadlines, you’ll likely be charged a late fee. Make sure you find out what these deadlines are ahead of time and try to negotiate consolidating all of the deadlines into a single deadline — or find a yearbook company that already offers this.

What Materials Are the Yearbooks Made Of?

To gauge what the quality of your finished product will be, ask what materials the yearbook printing companies use. Quality is important, and you want to choose a company that offers a high-quality print and cover that will last. Remember, the memories captured in your yearbooks will last your students a lifetime. Yearbooks are often pulled out year after year to show memories of school days, cherished friendships, and the milestones achieved during the “good old days.” In a way, a yearbook is a time capsule that preserves otherwise fleeting moments in time. This is why you must find a yearbook company that produces yearbooks that are built to last.

What’s Your Customer Service Like?

The last thing you want is to be up against a deadline and unable to proceed with your yearbook design because you have a question that you can’t get ahold of anyone to answer! Make sure this doesn’t happen by asking about customer service policies and availability ahead of time. Remember, sometimes yearbook making happens late into the night or early morning, and you could need support at any time. You want to make sure you’re choosing a company with a customer service team that can answer your questions, give you guidance, and address any issues that arise ASAP.

A good yearbook company should offer various channels of customer support, including phone, email, and live chat.

It’s also a good idea to ask about the yearbook company’s policies for reprints, refunds, and any other issues.

Ask About Freebies and Discounts

Who doesn’t love free stuff? A yearbook company that’s doing all it can to win you over may offer a slew of free services and products. Ask about the following common yearbook freebies:

• Marketing posters and flyers.
• Printed proof books.
• Cover designs.
• Design reviews.
• Mobile apps.
• Online tools to collect photos.

Some yearbook printing companies offer volume discounts that you can take advantage of when you place large orders, like yearbook orders.

Can You Customize Yearbook Themes?

Yearbooks are an extremely personal project, and you should find a yearbook company that empowers you to create a fully custom project that authentically captures your school’s spirit. Whether you’re looking for a modern Yearbook, Montessori preschool yearbook, private school yearbook, or anything else, they should be able to accommodate you. If you don’t like any of the pre-set themes, you should also have the option to choose a  Blank Canvas  template and start from scratch with a yearbook that speaks to your school’s heart.

What’s the Turnaround Time?

Yearbooks are time-sensitive projects. You should find out what the average turnaround time is to avoid frustration and disappointment over delayed yearbooks. A good yearbook company should provide a clear and realistic timeline for the yearbook creation process, from initial design to delivery. They should also be able to provide updates and communicate any potential delays or issues that pop up.

Mixbook Can Help

If you’re looking for a reliable yearbook company that offers top-notch customer service and high-quality yearbooks, Mixbook is the perfect choice for you. With our easy-to-use online platform, you can design a customized yearbook that reflects your school’s unique style and spirit. To learn more about how to make a yearbook with Mixbook, contact us today.