Today @ Colorado State has been replaced by SOURCE. This site exists as an archive of Today @ Colorado State stories between January 1, 2009 and September 8, 2014.

Working at CSU

Tips for cost-effective communications

July 3, 2009

Members of CSU's Communications and Creative Services team are ready to provide professional printing services and advice to the campus community.

Staying in touch

During these days of shrinking budgets, offices throughout the University are continuing to evaluate and prioritize expenditures. But CSU’s communication with constituents – students, friends, donors, and alumni – remains as important today as ever.

Staying in touch with the people who have played major roles in the University’s collective past, present, and future is key to persevering through these challenging times.

Experts to assist you

The Communications and Creative Services staff can assist with projects ranging from office forms to color newsletters or reports. Available services and expertise include estimating, design, photography, copywriting, editing, printing, and various multimedia.

CCS professionals offer the following tips for customers to make the printing process more streamlined and cost-effective.

Tips on saving printing costs

  • Minimize the number of ink colors. A good design should not need to rely on full color. Go Green!
  • Provide text as Word files. Publisher, Excel, and PowerPoint will require more time to prepare files for printing.
  • Proof your copy before we start the project. This can help reduce the overall cost of your project by reducing the amount of time we work on the job.
  • Write to fit. Too much text takes time to place and format if it has to be cut later.
  • Consider combining a couple of publications into one publication.
  • Evaluate and target your mailing list. This can reduce printing and postage costs.
  • Evaluate different paper options – size, weight, coating.
  • Evaluate the size of your publication. Fewer pages or smaller size can help save on your budget.
  • Ask your audience to extend a publication life span by passing it along to a friend or colleague.
  • Plan your publications with the help of your expert Communications and Creative Services coordinator.

For more details, visit Publications Coordination at CCS or call 491-6432.