::GENERAL GUIDELINES::
All copy (text content) MUST be proofed and final and submitted in a word document. You will be given an opportunity to approve your project before print, but we are not a proof-reading service (unless you figure out how to clone Melissa a time or two, then we can talk).
All art (images) must be at least 300dpi in order to be used at the provided size. Images with a lower resolution will only be able to be used at a smaller size. Some low-res images will not be able to be used at all. Preferred file types are: .tiff, .jpeg, .ai, .eps. Images found on Google Image search are not acceptable and may actually be illegal to use.
Please do everything in your power to plan ahead! This gives us as much time as possible to get to your project and also allows as much quality and creativity as possible go into your project. Rush projects not only prevent creative ideas to “incubate”, but also bump projects down the “que” of those who did submit their project in time.
DO NOT expect a project to be completed in a few days, even if it is a small project. At any given time, Print Services has approximately 40 projects waiting to be completed. During the busiest times of the year (Easter, Summer, Judgement House, Christmas), it may take up to 8 weeks until we can even get to your project.
Strategize! Pretty pictures are great, but strategically used pretty pictures can really impact your audience and increase the scope of your ministry efforts. Try to think through who your audience is, what you want them to “learn” form your communications efforts, what will encourage them to participate, etc.
Make your communications efforts multi-faceted. Try to think outside the box. There are ways to communicate your event beyond the Bulletin and Encourager! Start early enough to explore all of your options and have time to implement them. It is also good to do this in case your announcement/article can not run in the Bulletin or Encourager due to space limitations.
Keep your eye out for what others are doing: other churches, other non-profits and other secular companies. You can really get inspired just by keeping your eye open.
::PROOFING GUIDELINES::
TIMES AND DATES
Time 11:00 a.m. / 5:30 p.m.
* Include all digits of the time, a space after numbers, include periods between a.m. and p.m.
* If “morning” or “evening” is used, you do not need to indicate a.m. or p.m. in the sentence.
* If listing two times, only use one a.m. or p.m. (like 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.)
Dates July 1 / August 23
* Do not include the year where it isn’t necessary
(ie: at the end of one calendar year when referring to the next)
* Do not include “st” after a 1, “nd” after a 2, “rd” after a 3 etc…
* When using a month and year, do not use a comma (ie: June 2009)
TYPESETTING
Spacing
* Do not use double spaces after periods—only single space.
Numbers
* spell-out 1-9
* write 10-100 numerically
Special Characters
* Within a sentence, do not use + or &, spell out “and”
* Em (—) Dashes (PC Shortcut: alt 0151 / Mac Shortcut: opt + shift + -) should be used to set off phrases in a sentence. Do not surround by spaces.
* En (–) Dashes (PC Shortcut: alt 1050 / Mac Shortcut: opt + -) should be used to show passing of time (like 9:30–11:00 or May 15–30). Do not surround by spaces.
Capitalize
* Church Office
* Worship Service (and capitalize Worship when using the word to refer to the service vs. the act)
* Small Groups (specifically Sunday morning classes)
* Scripture
* God’s Word
Do NOT Capitalize
* gospel
* biblical
* good news
CHURCH NOMENCLATURE
Church Name First Baptist Oviedo
* Do not use First Baptist Church of Oviedo, FBCO, or FBC Oviedo. FBCO is allowable only when absolutely necessary (space constraints etc.), otherwise always use First Baptist Oviedo.
Small Groups
* NOT BFGs or Bible Fellowship Groups
Room Names Legacy Hall-D038
* For the time being, we will list “old” room numbers with new building name. No space or hyphen between letter and number; use hyphen between building name and room number.
Building Names
* TWC/The Worship Center (old) = Hangar
* Sanctuary = Legacy Hall
* Education Building/Preschool + Church Offices/ E-Building = Courtyard Building 1
* C Building = Courtyard Building 2
* A Building = Chapel
* Shopping Center = Annex
UPPER-DECKER REFERENCES
Christian Terms to Avoid on Website (and other media intended to be read by non-church members)
* Use Bible not “God’s Word”
* Avoid using “lost” “blood of the lamb” etc. Vocabulary should be applicable and understandable by those that are not churched and are not Christians.
