Yearbook Calendar
🌸 Stay on Track: The Importance of a School Yearbook Calendar and Checklist
Creating a school yearbook is an exciting, collaborative journey, but it can quickly become overwhelming without proper organization. At Blossom Yearbooks, we know that a well-planned yearbook calendar and checklist are essential tools for keeping your project on track and stress-free.
Here’s why these tools are a must-have for your yearbook team:
✅ Before School Starts: Essential Preparation
1. Organize a Kickoff Meeting:
Choose or design the yearbook cover
Customize and design the endsheets
Set up the ladder
2. Administrative Prep:
Issue press passes for staff so they’re recognized while on assignment.
3. Equipment Check:
Cameras
Memory cards
Printer toner cartridges
4. Software Setup:
Log in to Creator Studio Lite and explore templates
Verify your final deadline (delivery is 15 business days after order submission)
📅 August / September: Yearbook Team Kickoff
1. Team Building & Setup:
Host a kickoff meeting to review roles, deadlines, and the overall vision
Finalize the ladder
Assign pages to students
2. Training:
Provide training for new staff
Use our Knowledge Base for guides and videos
3. Content Plan:
Outline page types: senior quotes, events, superlatives
Review school calendar and create a yearbook-specific one
4. Photography Begins:
Schedule portraits, club, and sports photos
Upload photos regularly to the Photos Tab
Share your Contribute Photos link with teachers and families
5. Yearbook Sales & Promotion:
Open your Parent Storefront in Creator Studio
Promote sales at registration and Back to School Night
Download flyers and posters
6. Plan for National Yearbook Week:
Celebrate the first week of October with special promotions and activities
🍂 October
Cover fall sports, clubs, and big events like Homecoming
Confirm student portrait delivery with the photographer
Train staff on writing, photography, and design
Finalize the yearbook theme and brainstorm layouts
Continue promoting Contribute Photos submissions
🍁 November
Review deadlines and project progress
Finalize fonts, colors, and theme graphics
Check the budget and consider holiday fundraisers
Audit sales and push for holiday orders
🎄 December
Host a team bonding activity (game night, holiday party)
Upload and double-check PSPA portrait files
Begin proofing pages for accuracy and consistency
❄️ January
Start layout design with the finalized theme
Write engaging captions and headlines
Monitor section progress and resolve delays early
💙 February
Cover winter sports, dances, and activities
Push a “Last Chance” yearbook sales campaign
Finalize business and personal ads
🌷 March
Confirm graduation and last-day-of-school dates
Proof portrait pages with teacher feedback
Plan yearbook distribution events
Finalize payment arrangements with your Customer Account Manager
🌼 April
Take lots of photos to capture every student and activity
Send final “Yearbooks Are on Sale” reminders
Conduct thorough proofing and peer reviews
Gather final approvals from school administration
🌞 May
Place your final yearbook order in Creator Studio Lite
Host a distribution party or signing event
Lock in next year’s pricing with early renewal
Begin recruiting and training next year’s staff
Turn on Direct Ship Ordering for families who missed the initial deadline
Celebrate your team’s hard work—and enjoy your summer!
✨ Final Thought:
A yearbook is more than just a collection of photos—it’s a story of your school year. With a clear calendar and checklist, your team will stay on track, reduce stress, and create a yearbook your school community will treasure forever.