General questions about Yearbook Printing and Publishing

What is a yearbook?

A yearbook is often an annual publication produced by schools, sports clubs and businesses to commemorate the events of the year. They often include a message from the principal, staff and students and are used to celebrate the schools achievements, community spirit and special events throughout the year.

What is a graduation book?

Graduation Books are typically used for the graduating class from primary school, high-school or university to capture their memories and great times in a special book that most people keep forever.

What is the difference between a yearbook and a Graduation Book?

In a school environment yearbooks are typically used to commemorate a year of the entire school, while Graduation Books are created to reflect upon the years at school of the graduating class.

We are designing our yearbook at school, in what format should we send it to Fusion Books?

Send your completed file in its ‘raw’ format (for example as a Publisher Document (.pub), Indesign Document (.indd) or Word Document (.doc / .docx) and as a PDF. If you need instructions for your specific requirements call us and speak to one of our friendly staff.

What is GSM?

GSM (technically ‘grams per square meter’) is a measure of the thickness of your inside paper or cover. Typically the thicker the paper the higher-quality your book will feel. Fusion Books soft-cover books are typically printed with 150 gsm inside pages and 350 gsm cover. The exception is a very large book (over 150 pages) where you may choose to have thinner pages (for example 130 gsm).

What is bleed?

Bleed is the (3mm) area around the perimeter of your page that will be cut-off during the trimming process. When designing your book you should continue your design for 3mm beyond the perimeter of your page (for example an A4 book should be 216 mm X 303 mm).

What is crop-marks?

With Fusion Books you don’t have to worry about adding in ‘crop-marks’, as we will do this for you. Although when designing (in Fusion Books online system or any other program) always ensure you leave a 1.5cm around the perimeter of the page free from faces and text. This will not only provide a more professional look, but will prevent faces and text from being cut-off in the binding or in the crop-marks. However, this does not mean you cannot have design patterns and backgrounds in the 1.5cm perimeter, in fact this is encouraged.

What is resolution?

The resolution of an image refers to the images quality. Always use the best quality images you have available. If you are using our Premium Design Service, send your images through to us in the format that comes straight off your camera.

What is the difference between gloss or matt paper?

Fusion Books typically uses gloss paper for our yearbooks. It has a shiny, bright appearance like a magazine. However, you can also request matt paper, which is typically used for a more ‘earthy’ and textured book.

What is the difference between offset and digital printing?

Digital printing is used for smaller quantities of yearbooks (approximately any orders below 500 copies) and offset printing is used for large quantities of yearbooks (above 500 copies). When more copies are ordered it becomes more cost-effective per book ordered.

What does laminate mean?

All Fusion’s premium soft-cover yearbooks come with a gloss or matt laminate cover. The laminate is a protective covering on the cover of your book that will help to preserve the book over time. It also provides an attractive finishing to your book.

Is one page two sides of a page?

“One page” is considered one printed side of the page. For example a 50 page book is 25 leafs of paper.

What kind of paper stock do you use?

All our books are printed on high-quality 150 gram paper. Our soft covers are printed on premium 300 GSM gloss-laminate stock. Large orders are printed using offset printing, while smaller orders are printed using digital printing technology.

What size do your yearbooks come in?

Most yearbooks and graduation books are printed as an A4 book (210 mm X 297 mm). Some schools choose to design the yearbook themselves or use our Premium Design Service and create an A5 book or even a square book.

How much does a Fusion Book cost?

We guarantee our prices are competitive. All our prices include full-access to the Fusion Books system throughout the year, printing and delivery. Prices depend on the number of pages in your book and the number of copies ordered. We offer a variety of options to suit your budget. Contact us to obtain a quote.

Who owns copyright in the Fusion Book?

You must ensure you have the rights for all content included in your Fusion Book. Copyright in the content lies with the person who created the image or took the photograph. Copyright of the page designs lies with Fusion Books.

When do we pay?

1.Use your free trial account, with no commitment to order. 2.Pay your deposit to gain full access to Fusion Books’ system and book in your printing and delivery dates. 3.Give out log in details to staff and students who can then start uploading photos and content. 4.Download a full copy of your book via the ‘Preview Book’ button. With your schools’ editing committee check over your book and make any changes necessary. 5.When you are ready to print click ‘Book Now’ on the ‘Home’ menu. 6.Get your stylish books delivered to your school on time. And make the final payment on delivery.

What is the difference between inc. GST and ex. GST (or + GST)?

GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a 10% tax added to the total cost of your books (ex. GST). Most schools are able to claim this tax back from the government and may be able to lower the cost of the yearbooks and graduation books by charging the students the price (ex. GST). For example, if the price is displayed as: $10 (excl. GST) which is the same as $11 (inc. GST) You may be able to charge the students $10 per book and the school will be able to pay the $1 per book GST as they may be able to claim this back.

Is there a minimum order?

The minimum order is $600. Small schools have found it is more cost effective to combine their Yearbook and Graduation Book into one book.

What is the production timeline?

Fusion Books typically allows 1 month between the Editors’ deadline and your Delivery date. This allows time to print, laminate and finish your books, as well as deliver the books to your school. As soon as you have paid your deposit we can book in your printing and delivery dates

Is the ‘deposit’ an additional charge on top of the cost of our books?

No, your deposit is subtracted from the total cost of your books. With Fusion Books you only pay for the number of books you order, there are no other set-up charges or fees.

Where are your clients based?

Fusion Books is able to service schools throughout Australia- we have schools from metropolitan Sydney and Melbourne to remote schools in the Northern Territory.

Our students would like to create a Graduation Book although they cannot afford it. Do you have any suggestions?

Local businesses may be willing to sponsor your yearbook. To recognise their contribution you could set aside a page to display their logo and contact details.