How to Create a Program Book

Add text and graphics to make a stylish, comprehensive program book the showpiece of your next event.

A stylish, comprehensive program book can be the showpiece of your next conference or event. Attendees will appreciate accurate information about agenda, speakers and other program notes. A program book also presents the opportunity to generate revenue through ad sales, as well as draw in sponsors who may want to place ads as part of their sponsorship.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Text editor
• Image editor
• Optional page layout or design program

Instructions

1. Select a graphic identity for the program book. This can range from a color scheme consistent with the organizational palette, to a specific theme that reflects the programming, setting or agenda. The graphic identity should be consistent throughout the entire program book and influences borders, fonts, line spacing and more.

2. Collect all the necessary text, including programming descriptions, agenda, speaker bios, notes on the conference site, thank yous to sponsors, organizational text about mission and other miscellaneous text. Read through all text several times to eliminate errors and prevent holdups to timely completion of your program book.

3. Assemble text and images, as well as notes on graphic identity, and create a program book template using Word, Adobe InDesign or another page layout and word processing program.

4. Consider working with a professional design team or graphic designer to create and implement changes to your program book. While these services are often costly, they can be well worth it for a staff with limited experience in graphic design and print production. Graphic design services can also sometimes be arranged through barter relationships for sponsorships or similar benefits.

5. Select a printing method for your program book. Program book printing can be black-and-white sheets printed in-house and collected in a binder, making it easy to implement last-minute fixes and changes. Or opt for a full-color saddle-stitched booklet printed professionally, which requires around three weeks of lead-time to complete the proofing and printing process, but yields a program book that will be a true showpiece for your event and your organization.

Tips & Warnings

• Give premium placement for organizational advertisements about sponsorship, the benefits of placing an ad and other program areas. Your organization will benefit from promoting the program book year after year.

• Allow for plenty of time in your design and planning schedule so that your program book can be completed well in advance of your event. This will save you stress and help you put together an accurate, comprehensive and attractive program book.

• As with all print projects, beware of using graphics that are web-resolution, which is generally too low-resolution for print and will appear grainy on the page.