~ by Dave Fehr, Senior Yearbook Project Specialist
You’ve just gotten the email…your yearbooks have left Friesens and are on their way to you. Congratulations! So, now what?
It often feels like the last bit of work you need to do for your publication is to let your Print Consultant or Project Specialist know that the book is approved and ready to go, however, there are steps you’ll need to take once the books have been shipped and delivered.
Preparing for Delivery
When your books are shipped, you should receive a notification. You may even get tracking information so you can see where your books are at any given moment. This is your chance to prepare your admin staff for the delivery, as well as organize some of your yearbook staff to help you with receiving the shipment. Get some snacks, play some music and have a party. This is an exciting time!
Delivery Day – Before Signing Receipt
When your shipment arrives, your courier will bring you your shipping receipt. Before you sign off on the books, there are a few steps you should take:
- Count the boxes. Your shipping waybill will list the number of boxes to expect. Make sure they’re all accounted for and only sign off on what you actually receive.
- Check for damage. It happens. Sometimes a box gets crushed, or you might see water damage. Take photos of the damage from several angles and note this on the form you sign. Have the delivery driver sign too, if possible.
Delivery Day – Unpacking
If you do have damaged boxes, photograph any damaged books that may be inside. You’ll want to email these to us so we can track damage and delivery concerns.
If your boxes arrive without damage, crack open a box and give the book a quick review. Mistakes can happen in production, and you’ll want to have gone over the book before handing it out to your student body…it’s hard to retrieve them if you notice a concern after!
Congratulate Your Team
Thank your staff for their hard work! The yearbook is an enormous project, and their efforts deserve to be celebrated. If there’s time, sit down and discuss what went well, and what could use improving next year. It’s much easier to do this when the project is fresh in everyone’s mind.
Share Your Yearbook
Announce the delivery to the school, or host an event! If you’re able, gather the student body and hand out the books to everyone who ordered. You can have markers ready for signing, and make sure you take pictures for both motivation and next year’s publication.
You’re Done! (Except For The Invoice)
You’ll likely receive your invoice via email from your printer. Ensure that it goes to the right person for payment, and then you’re done!
Congratulations on completing another amazing yearbook!
Dave Fehr has been a dedicated Yearbook Project Specialist for 14 years working with schools across Canada and US. He brings years of experience in technical support and teaching students to maximize their pages through design and technology. Dave is passionate about helping advisors and students create the best yearbook they can and something they can be proud of for years to come.
