General Guidelines and Pointers for Submitting Content for Publication

Being a Graphic Designer, I have worked with various materials submitted for various publication purposed. I've seen the gamut when it comes to quality of content and image. I have collected a few tips to help others submit items for publication. These are general enough to work in a variety of setting but important enough to aid your designer to save time and thus you money.

Content being provided is easiest used when it is submitted in a digital format. Be it an article or text; or a photographic image or drawing. Text can and should be entered into the computer. Giving a designer hand written or typed out copy will cost in the long run because they will bill you at their design rate for entering copy into the computer. Images are a bit trickier. If they begin as a digital file, do provide them as a digital file. If you only have two-dimensional images like a logo, a technical drawing or such, let the designer scan the image. Oftentimes their hardware will be higher quality than what you have in your office. Yes you will incur a fee for this scan, but in the long run, you will be happier with the results.

For Text Submissions:
A little known fact is that two spaces after a period is a carry over from manual typewriters. The computer's functions are based on a mathematical equation so no need for two spaced after a period. Just type one. If you look closely, you will see the different between the space after a period and the space between words. Most Graphic Designers spend a lot of time going through articles and removing this added space.

Spell check your article. If you are submitting technical or proper names, double-check their correctness. Don't assume the designer knows what these technical or proper names are. Once done, do it again. Even better, have someone else look over your information.