Yearbook Content Ideas
The options are endless when it comes to yearbook content. Here are a few sections you might want to include:
- Quotes and messages from students
- Quotes and messages from teachers
- Photos from special events, such as prom, sports events and performances
- Fun facts and interesting stories about students (with their permission!)
- Academic achievements
- Clubs and activities highlights
- Snippets of outstanding student work, such as poems and creative writing pieces
- Messages and advice from the senior leadership team
- Photos and information on charitable activities
- Student predictions on what they’ll be doing in 10 years
Photography and Quotes
It just wouldn’t be a yearbook without hundreds of photos, messages and quotes from students and teachers. However, rounding up all the information you’ll need will require plenty of time and careful planning. You’re likely part of a team or a committee, and spreading different tasks fairly among the group will help achieve a high-quality result.
To take some of the pressure off, we recommend gathering photos and quotes as early as you possibly can, as talking to dozens or perhaps hundreds of people isn’t something you can accomplish quickly! Here are some quickfire tips to help you with the photo and quote-gathering process:
- Capture candid moments
- Cover a wide range of events
- Prioritise quality over quantity
- Include as many different students and teachers as possible to ensure everyone is featured in the yearbook
Design and Layout
Once you’ve gathered the content for the yearbook, you’ll need to move on to the design process. Using the right yearbook design software significantly streamlines the creative process by providing templates and design elements to make the yearbook eye-catching and unique. Here are some suitable yearbook design tools and software options to consider:
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign offers a wide range of templates and integration with other Adobe software you may need (e.g. Photoshop). However, the platform has a steep learning curve for new users.
Canva
Canva is an understandably popular choice because of its usability. The platform offers users hundreds of template options, stock images, graphic elements and font options, allowing even graphic design novices to create a fantastic yearbook.
FlipHTML5
FlipHTML5 is yearbook design software that allows users to design page layouts and add images, text and shapes to bring yearbooks to life. It’s a great option for those planning a digital yearbook, as it has a free publishing platform for users to share the yearbook online.
Printing and Binding
Once you’ve designed your yearbook, it’s time to start the printing and binding process. Because the book will be dear to so many, we recommend creating copies through a professional printing and binding service.
Once you’ve browsed available printing and binding services to find the most suitable provider, you’ll need to provide them with your yearbook requirements, such as:
- Paper type
- Binding type
- Print finishes
Paper type
Selecting the right paper type is essential, as it directly affects the look and feel of the yearbooks. Most printing services offer matt, silk, gloss, recycled and uncoated pape. In this instance, gloss is likely the best option because it balances excellent colour coverage, which will make the photos stand out.
Binding type
How the yearbooks are bound directly impacts their durability and ease of use. There are several common binding types to choose from, including stapled, perfect, wiro, and hardback binding. To ensure yearbooks stand the test of time, we recommend hardcover binding, as they support higher page counts and protect the inner pages from damage.
Finishes
Finally, finishes enhance the appearance and durability of the yearbooks. Most printing services will offer gloss and matt finishes, the former providing excellent image reproduction and the latter offering a less reflective finish. In this instance, gloss is probably more suitable as it will make the colors in photos pop.
In Summary: Crafting the Perfect Yearbook
Crafting a memorable yearbook takes time and meticulous planning. However, with the right team, access to software, and professional printing and binding expertise, you can create a durable yearbook that students will treasure forever.
