Prospectus Printing

Campus, facilities and student photography often does much of the visual work in a prospectus.

Coated papers generally reproduce detailed photography with greater sharpness and colour intensity, while uncoated stocks can create a softer, more tactile feel.

Think about the impression you want to create as well as the paper weight. Too thin and show-through will make it harder to read. Too heavy and a high page count could push you into a more expensive postage tarrif.

Saddle stitching is economical, quick to produce and allows spreads to open relatively flat, making it a strong choice for prospectuses with lower page counts.

For thicker publications, perfect binding creates a square spine and more book-like finish. We have three saddle stitching lines and two perfect binders in-house, so we can quote both options where the specification allows rather than steering you towards one particular method.

Course information, fees, dates and staff can change.

If parts of your prospectus are likely to date quickly, consider whether all of that information needs to sit within the main publication. Moving frequently changing details to an insert, separate course guide or online resource can extend the useful life of the main prospectus and reduce the risk of obsolete stock.

A premium prospectus doesn’t automatically require the heaviest paper or most expensive finish.

Paper choice, photography, colour reproduction, typography and binding all contribute to perceived quality. Sometimes a well-chosen stock and restrained finish will communicate your organisation far better than adding embellishments simply because they’re available.

If your prospectus will be distributed with application information, course sheets, letters or other materials, think about them as one pack from the outset.

Finished sizes and paper weights can affect how everything fits together and, where packs are being mailed, their overall weight and dimensions can affect postage costs. We can help you work through the complete specification before anything goes to print.

That depends largely on page count, paper choice, budget and the appearance you’re trying to achieve.

Saddle stitching is economical and works particularly well for prospectuses with lower page counts. Perfect binding becomes an option once there’s sufficient spine width and creates a square, book-like spine.

We have both binding methods in-house and can quote alternative specifications if you’re unsure which is most appropriate.

Yes. Our digital printing capability makes smaller prospectus quantities commercially viable, which can be particularly useful for smaller institutions, departmental publications or where information is likely to change regularly.

For larger recruitment campaigns, our litho presses provide the capacity and economies of scale required for much higher quantities.

Yes. The Graphic Design House is our fully owned creative agency, with a seven-strong team experienced in producing communications for education organisations, including Oxford colleges, and leading independent and private schools. They can work with you on anything from updating exisiting artwork to creating a new prospectus from the ground up.

Because the designers work closely with our print production teams, practical considerations such as paper, binding and finishing can be considered during the creative process rather than after the design has been completed.

Yes. We regularly produce a wide range of printed materials alongside larger publications.

That could include open-day programmes, course information, folders, postcards, flyers, inserts and signage. Producing related materials together can also help maintain consistent colour and print quality across your campaign.

Yes. Through our fully owned mailing house, The Mailing People, we can manage printing, packing and mailing as one project.

Printed materials move directly from Bishops to our mailing facility without an additional delivery charge between sites. We can also advise on format, weight and packing where postage cost is an important consideration.

The cover specification is a good place to start.

A heavier cover gives the publication greater protection, while matt, gloss or anti-scuff lamination can help protect against marking, moisture and cracking around folds. The right choice depends on your budget, how the prospectus will be distributed, and how long you expect it to remain in use.

Yes. Speak to us if you require different versions for campuses, departments, courses, audiences or recruitment periods.

Depending on quantities and the extent of the changes, digital printing can make producing multiple versions particularly practical.

Turnaround times typically start from about 4–5 days, but can be longer depending on the order size, choice of paper stock and special print finishes. The sooner we’re involved, the more opportunity there is to check paper availability, plan binding and finishing, and schedule production around your deadline.

This is particularly useful if you’ve chosen a specialist paper that needs to be ordered in, or if your prospectuses are required for a specific open day or recruitment event.

If you’re already working to a tight deadline, talk to us. We’ll tell you what’s realistically achievable.

Prospectus production combines many of the things we do particularly well: high-quality colour printing, binding, finishing and dependable production at scale.

Our digital and litho presses are supported by three saddle stitching lines, two perfect binders and extensive finishing capabilities. You’ll also have an experienced team who can advise on the specification and, if required, access to design and mailing through companies within the Bishops group.

The result is fewer suppliers to coordinate and people who understand the deadline you’re working towards.