When you start a new print project, you want to hit your deadlines, keep your sanity and make your supplier and customers happy. But if you don’t sit down and plan out the project, you are not likely to reach all three goals. The right amount of planning will make sure that you keep your sanity and your clients.

Planning the Schedule
In order for your audience to receive the printed piece on time, you need to answer the following questions:
• When do you want your audience to receive the piece?
• Who will be writing the text, and how long does it take to produce it?
• Who will be producing the artwork, and how long does it take to produce it?
• Who will be doing the design and production work, and how long does that take?
• How long will it take to print, finish and mail the piece?

The first answer provides your end date. Add the rest of the time estimates together to determine your start date. Pad each time estimate by a factor of 1.5 to 3 times depending on your confidence in the numbers. Write these time estimates down to create the project plan.

Check back on Thursday to learn about planning your design, planning for changes, and planning tools!

© Great Reach Communication 2010