The Yearbook Index
A School Annual Blog
101 Fun Yearbook Theme Ideas
It’s never too early to start thinking about your next yearbook theme. Sometimes the task can be daunting! Here are 101 ideas to help get your creativity flowing. 1. A Banner Year2. A Change of Pace3. A Class Act4. All Out5. Along For the Ride6. Along The Way7. And So...
Ideas To Help Your Yearbook Sell
You’ve worked hard to create a great yearbook…now how do you encourage the school community to buy it? It can seem like a big task but here are a few ideas to help boost your yearbook sales. Plan marketing activities that result in dynamic coverage for the yearbook....
Yearbook & Social Media
Social Media is used on a daily basis by teenagers around the world. Because of this, Social Media is a great tool to help you share important information about the yearbook. We have a top 10 list of quick tips (see below) to get you started building your social media...
Team Yearbook!
The students in your yearbook club or class are working hard to make sure their fellow classmates have an amazing book. Help them show off their yearbook pride (as well as spread the word about the yearbook) with a fun club or class shirt. It doesn't have to be fancy...
Early Yearbook Promotion
With summer winding down there is no better time than now to start planning your yearbook promotion strategy. Promoting early is key to raising yearbook awareness and excitement. Deploying multiple strategies early on will help make sure you reach everyone in your...
Summer Yearbooking
Summer has arrived! Time for hot sun, cold drinks…and yearbook planning. Although you may be feeling like you just finished thinking yearbook, right now is truly the best time to plan ahead for next year while this year is still fresh in your mind. It doesn’t even...
It’s All About Me!
A fun addition to any yearbook is a page dedicated to the yearbook’s owner. Something they can fill out with their info, favorites, and thoughts on the future. We call these “All About Me” pages, but of course you can title them however you like. It’s easy to create...
What’s Your Yearbook Made Of?
You've worked hard at creating an amazing yearbook for the kids this year. But you have one page or space you just don't know what to do with. That little nook in your book that needs 'Something'. What's a yearbook adviser to do? Show the students just how much went...
Yearbook Photo Scavenger Hunt
Having a good amount of quality photos to choose from for the yearbook is important, but sometimes it can be hard to keep students on your yearbook committee motivated. Try a photo scavenger hunt! It will help students think of photography in a new way and encourage...
10 Tips for Great Portrait Pages
The class portrait pages are some of the most important pages in the yearbook. Every student has their space to shine with their name & photo. Below are 10 tips to help make your class pages the best they can be when using School Annuals Online page builder...
Your School Has History!
Whether your school formed 80 years or 8 months ago it’s important to remember & celebrate how far it's come. Creating a School History page in your yearbook is a great way to help new students & staff feel connected to the school as well as reminding...
What’s in a yearbook theme?
Your yearbook theme is a big deal. It unifies the story of the year and gives it a unique personality. A theme can be a design idea, concept or story that is carried from cover to cover. There is a variety of ways a theme can be applied throughout the book. LogoTry to...
Fill Your Book With Photographic Memories
What’s a yearbook without photos? Not much of a yearbook that’s for sure! The stories are great, but photos really bring it all to life. Your school is a hopping place with new stories unfolding all the time so here are some key points to keep in mind when planning...
Considerations For A Socially Distance Or Hybrid Yearbook Distribution
Whether your school is in person or virtual, yearbook distribution can still happen with a bit of planning. The tips below will help you plan an efficient and celebratory event that everyone will love, from administration to students. SPACEChoose a location that...
10 Tips For First Year Advisers
Start planning for a successful year with simple tips to keep your yearbook on track.
10 Yearbook Content Ideas for 2021
We have heard from countless advisers looking to provide the tradition of a yearbook. However, distance learning has restricted many components that go into it. So what content goes in a yearbook where students are in and out of the classroom, activities are canceled...
How to Include More Students in the Yearbook
With limited space and lots of students, how do you include more students more often in your yearbook? Read how with these easy steps!n
Fun and Engaging Ways to Keep Your Yearbook Team Motivated
Have you ever noticed a lull with your yearbook team–one that they just can’t shake? Try out these fun ideas to keep them engaged and motivated! Hint… they include ice cream.
The Perfect Yearbook Playlist to Stay Motivated
It’s yearbook crunch time! There’s nothing better than a good yearbook playlist to keep you and your team energized! Check out our yearbook playlist essentials.
4 Steps to Hit Your Yearbook Deadlines
Yearbook deadlines can be overwhelming, but easily managed with a little organization. Breakdown your deadlines into these four easy steps.
Tell Unforgettable Stories with Your Yearbook Photos
Are your yearbook’s photos worth a thousand words? Yearbook photos should be inclusive and fun, but they should also tell a story. That’s really what yearbook is all about—telling our students’ stories. Photos are the perfect way to illustrate all of them. These seven tips can help take your photos (and yearbook) to the next level:
Simple Tips for Grading Your Yearbook Class
Grading your yearbook students’ performance isn’t always easy! Follow these tips to track their progress, offer feedback and reward their accomplishments along the way.
Yearbook Shirts Your Staff Will Love
Your yearbook club or class is more than a group of students. You’re a team! Just like any other sports team or club, you need a uniform. You can probably skip the cleats and shoulder pads, but outfitting your staff in yearbook t-shirts is a great way to bring everyone together.
8 Ways to Involve Your Yearbook Class
Involving all your students in yearbook class can be a challenge. Often times, students are assigned to their own pages and focus primarily on finishing them. Engaging your yearbook students more gets work done faster and allows them to make valuable contributions....
The Key to Creating Successful Yearbook Ads
Yearbook ads can feel daunting at times, but a little creativity and research can help guarantee your success!
The Secret to Organizing Your Yearbook Photos and Portraits
Class portrait pages are the foundation of a yearbook! How do you organize hundreds of portraits or combat scenarios like new students or missed picture day?
5 Tips for Starting a Yearbook Club From Scratch
Congratulations, you’ve volunteered to spearhead the yearbook club this year! You’re probably thinking, now what? Follow these five tips to get started.
How to Plan Every Page of Your Yearbook
How do you create a plan for yearbook? Planning every element of your yearbook can be time-consuming, but it makes the creation process faster and more enjoyable.
3 Tips for Training New Yearbook Staff Members
Whether you’re a first-year yearbook adviser or a seasoned veteran, you will likely work with students of many different skill and interest levels. Practicing these few tips and tricks to help train new “yearbookers” helps your club flow smoothly and efficiently year over year.
How to Choose a Yearbook Theme Your Students Love
Yearbook advisers want to make their yearbook unique, with fun ideas and trendy content. How do you keep your yearbook theme and design fresh year over year?
How to Celebrate National Yearbook Week
National Yearbook Week celebrates decades of memories treasured in every yearbook. How will you celebrate?
How to Jump Start Your Yearbook Sales in the Fall
If you’re a teacher, adviser, or PTO/PTA, you understand the beginning of the school year is always busy! Mixing yearbook sales into the excitement can be challenging. Stay on track with your sales and marketing this fall using these quick, easy tips!
6 Essentials to Make Your Yearbook Club Run Smoothly
Every yearbook adviser understand challenges come with running a club. Stick to these six essentials to ensure your yearbook club runs smoothly.
5 Tips on Organizing a Yearbook Committee
The beginning of the school year is the best time to assemble your team. Follow the steps below to organize your yearbook committee!
The Great Yearbook Adviser / Advisor Debate
The Adviser vs. Advisor debate is undoubtedly one of the most popular (and nerdy) in all of yearbooking. Here at Jostens/School Annual/etc., we spell adviser with an e. The two spellings can technically be used interchangeably, but we have a few reasons why we use...
Yearbook Themes to Steal for 2019-2020
Borrow and steal these four 2019-2020 yearbook themes. These yearbook themes are sure to make your students excited about getting the yearbook. With our pre-designed, ready-to-use themes, called Quick Creator, your school can use matching clip art, backgrounds and...
Tips for Selling Out of Extra Yearbooks
You’ve distributed all of the yearbooks that the students and families ordered but you realize that you still have some leftover…don’t worry. Here are some tips for selling out all of your yearbooks that may be “left over”.Many schools have a “waiting list” for kids...
23 Quick Tips to Generate Yearbook Sales Buzz
Quick tips to create last minute yearbook sales buzz. Use these ideas for inspiration to sell out of your remaining yearbook. Based on your school and yearbook program, pick the ones you think will have the most success. And have fun with it!
Creating a Yearbook Cover that Stands Out
The saying goes, don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but in most cases, we all do! The yearbook cover is no different. At my school, we have tried a few different types of covers and have always been happy with how it turns out. See some of my tips and tricks below. The...
The Complete Timeline for a Smooth Yearbook Adviser Transition
Ideally, passing the yearbook onto the next person would be a process that could happen over the course of a year, or, better yet, two years. This would include one year to train and one year on to help them while they go through the entire process as the lead. One...
The Ultimate Yearbook Dictionary
ADVISER | Although no two yearbook advisers handle the job in the exact same way, the adviser’s job is that of a teacher, leader, manager and coach. Effective advisers teach the staff the skills necessary to publish the yearbook and then empower the students to...
Planning Your Yearbook Signing Party
Yearbook signing parties can be both helpful and fun at the same time! A yearbook distribution party is a great way to bring your school together and celebrate the end of the school year and get your yearbooks signed.
Create Unique Club and Event Pages For Your Yearbook
Learn easy ways to make your event and club pages unique and fun. Using backgrounds and online design tools, each pages can be done in a snap.
Top 5 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Yearbook Company
If you are new to the world of yearbook shopping or are a veteran who is looking for a company that can meet your needs, this post is for you. The basic items to consider when shopping for a yearbook include…
Yearbook Proofreading Tips and Tricks
Getting ready to submit your yearbook pages for printing? You have worked tirelessly for the past few months to make sure it’s perfect with amazing pictures and graphics, but before you hit that SUBMIT button… STOP!
How to Hit Your Deadlines on the Head
Yearbook design and yearbook deadlines may seem overwhelming at first, but when you break it down into manageable tasks, your path to the finish line will become clear and success just a few steps ahead.
Enhance Your Yearbook With Clip Art
How can you add a little “extra something” that will really make your yearbook POP? Look no further than Clip Art available through School Annual. There are so many clip art options to pick from, the possibilities are endless. Clip art can be used in a few different...
The Five Yearbook Social Media Tips You Need Implement
Whether you want to create a page for your yearbook program or piggy back off your school’s page, implement these tips to begin on your yearbook social media journey!
Five Yearbook FUNdraising Ideas
Fundraising may seem like an oxymoron because most of us do not find fundraising to be FUN. Check out our five yearbook fundraising ideas below to help make money for your yearbook program in a FUN way.
Graduating Class Yearbook Ideas
Have fun with it and make these students feel like this was an important year – they are on to wonderful things, but their memories from elementary school will also hold a significant place in their hearts.
Portraits on Pages in 1, 2, 3
Getting your portraits onto your yearbook pages doesn’t have to be intimidating! We make it super easy to take your school’s portraits and turn them into portrait page masterpieces. Don’t work with us for school portraits? No problem! We can take portraits from any...
What’s Inside – Yearbook Creation Kit
Check out what’s inside our 2018-2019 Yearbook Kit! Our School Annual Yearbook Creation Kit includes, four yearbook sales posters, two order forms, a teacher envelope, a portrait CD envelope, a yearbook cover art envelope, two take home postcards and a special...
Yearbook Photos: Collection and Organization
What’s a yearbook without pictures? Definitely not a yearbook! Getting pictures to use in your yearbook is the most important task you will have as a yearbook adviser, but can also be the most challenging.
How to Write and Use Photo Captions
Photo captions are a great way to make sure every photo’s story is told without sacrificing space or emotional impact. Not sure how to start writing photo captions? We can help! Here are a few tips for making your photo captions the best they can be.
Happy National Yearbook Week!
31 YEARS OF CELEBRATING YEARBOOKS In 1987, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first week of October to be National Yearbook Week. That make this year, the 31st commemoration of the yearbook. FROM THE PROCLAMATION "School yearbooks not only chronicle...
Yearbook Creation Kit Unboxing
Check out what’s inside our 2018-2019 Yearbook Kit!
5 Yearbook Themes Everyone Will Love
Check out out elementary and middle school yearbook themes that stand out from the rest. These yearbook themes are sure to wow your students. Customize and make these themes unique.
Top Tips to Make Creating a Yearbook Easier
The beginning of the school year is upon us! That means it’s time for introductions, preparation and creativity. School Annual Online (SAO) makes creating, designing and executing an entire yearbook so easy! After creating yearbooks for multiple schools over the past...
Coverage Ideas for Elementary Schools
Teachers can take some of the best candid shots of our students since they are always with them. These days most teachers take photos throughout the year and have a method of sharing them with parents.
Top Yearbook Photo Tips & Framing Tricks
Photographs are the life blood of your yearbook. The better the photos are, the more likely students and parents will be to purchase your yearbook.
Top 10 Tips: Getting Started with Yearbook
It will definitely be an adventure and one you remember forever (thanks to those memories you can look back on in the yearbook). Here are 10 tips to help as you embark on this great adventure.
Top 10 Tips to get Parents to Buy the Yearbook Early
Hand out fliers at every meeting and school event that parents are involved in. There are SO many opportunities at school plays, parent/teacher events, class parties etc.
Tips for Engaging Your Students with Yearbook
All yearbook classes or clubs should be informative, productive and most importantly fun. As the yearbook adviser, you want your students to be as equally excited about the yearbook creation process as you are.
Color Palettes that Catch the Eye
Choosing color palettes for your yearbook can be a daunting task, but it is one of the most important. After all, color can be used to convey emotion, create unity, add personality, and more!
Plan And Run A Yearbook Cover Contest Like A Pro
A great way to generate buzz about your school’s yearbook is to include your students in the creation of the cover.
Organization 101: How to Organize Your Yearbook World
The toughest question is always where to start. Organization is the key to executing a great yearbook.
Ideas To Make Your Yearbook Theme Cool and Unique
Themes can elevate a yearbook to make it memorable and unique. Creating a cool theme can help bring all the year’s photos and yearlong memories together.
How to Start Your Yearbook Sales Early
Take the steps to start your yearbook sales early. Getting started earlier in year can make it easier on you later in the year.