Entourage Yearbooks Online Support

Entourage Yearbooks Payment Schedule

Customer Service — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:51:56 GMT

I have chosen Entourage Yearbooks as my yearbook publisher, when are my payments due?

You have payment options available to you as an Entourage Yearbooks customer.

1) Prepayment Option

Full payment (including shipping) is due 30 days after contract date. The discount goes down 1% each month that the full amount is not paid. Speak with your Sales Representative to take advantage of this discount!

2) 20%-30%-50% Option

a) 20% payment: due 30 days after Entourage Yearbooks recieves your signed Terms of Acceptance

b) 30% payment:

i) For new contracts signed 3 months or less from delivery date: 20% and 30% are due 30 days after contract

ii) For delivery date between April 1 and August 31: due January 31

iii) For other delivery dates: due two months before delivery date

iv) The Production Department will not print your books without this 30% payment. This might delay your delivery.

c) 50% payment + shipping:

i) For delivery within US:

Due at delivery (checks only). Someone has to be present to give the check to the UPS driver at delivery. Please make your check payable to Entourage Yearbooks. UPS will attempt to deliver three times, after that they will return the books to us. A second shipping charge will incur to reship the books. In some areas customers may be able to call UPS to reschedule the delivery.

ii) For delivery outside US and APO/FPO:

Due prior shipping. The books will be shipped after full payment is received.

How do I submit InDesign files to Entourage?

Customer Service — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:10:45 GMT

How do I submit InDesign files to Entourage?

To Send Files from InDesign you have to Package them first so all the links and fonts get sent with it:

To Package:

- First check the links menu to make sure there are no missing or modified links.

- Go to File > Package and follow the prompt

- Disregard the error warning about RGB images

- It will ask you what you would like to name the folder it makes and where you want it saved to. I would use the default name or just add the date and save it somewhere easy to find.

- Zip the entire folder it creates and send it to Entourage by using one of the file submission options found in the Message post "How do I submit completed yearbook pages to Entourage?"

We are having difficulties with our Yearbook Sales. Can Entourage Yearbooks Help?

Customer Service — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:19:07 GMT

Having trouble with your yearbook pre-sales?

Entourage can help! We are happy to provide you with FREE marketing materials to help boost your yearbook sales! Entourage offers various custom marketing options to help generate excitement about your yearbook project! Contact your Account Manager today to order your custom posters and order forms!

What is a PSPA CD?

Customer Service — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:11:32 GMT

PSPA is a formatting system that allows for automated flowing of the portrait pages within your yearbook design software.

Usually your photographer will provide you with a CD including all of the required elements to Professional School Photographer Association (PSPA). If your photographer does not provide you with a PSPA CD, we are happy to provide you with instructions on how to create a PSPA CD that you can either forward to your photographer or keep for your own reference to create a PSPA CD.

Need more help creating your PSPA CD?

Entourage Yearbooks is happy to help! For an additional fee, Entourage will create your PSPA CD for you! Notify your Account Manager if you would like this service!

How do I use my organization's website through http://www.entourageyearbooks.com?

Customer Service — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:33:43 GMT

Entourage Yearbooks is happy to provide you with your own personal photo uploading website! This website is great for organizing your yearbook and opening your project to your students, their families, or members of your organization!

Contact your Account Manager right away to set-up your website!

FOTOFUSION FAQs

Customer Service — Thur, 11 Feb 2010 23:24:30 GMT

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions for Fotofusion along with their solutions! Fotofusion is one of our strongest yearbook creation software programs and our Entourage staff is well trained to support you! If you are having one of the following issues please try our suggested solution. If this does not correct the problem please call us right away on the tech support line: 888-926-6571 ext 2.

ENCORE FAQ's

Customer Service — Thur, 11 Feb 2010 23:20:59 GMT

Need assistance using Encore?

Here are some FAQ's about our MAC-based yearbook creation software, Encore. If you are still having technical difficulties that are not on this message board, please contact Entourage Yearbooks right away. Our Account Managers and Technical Support are on call to help! Our Tech Support line is 1-888-YBOOKS1 ext.2

How do I submit completed pages of my yearbook to Entourage Yearbooks?

Customer Service — Thur, 11 Feb 2010 23:11:14 GMT

There are a few different options to submit your completed yearbook pages to Entourage Yearbooks. Always notify your Account Manager when you are preparing to submit file for test prints, proof books, or your final yearbook project!

OPTION 1: ENTOURAGE WEBSITE

You can go to LOGIN to your yearbook project online. Once you log in you can upload images, documents, spreadsheets, pretty much any digital file format you want.

When you do log into your online yearbook, you can either upload image files (in JPEG format) or other digital file formats. When you upload an image file use the "Upload Photo" feature. Upload Photo stores your image and also creates a thumbnail for easy viewing of collections of photos.

If you have any other digital files (.doc, .xls, .ppt, .gif, .tiff), use the "Upload Content" option. Upload Content is different from Upload Photo in that this tool does not create any image thumbnails and it allows for you to pretty much upload anything.

OPTION 2: YOUSENDIT.COM

Before you send your file, you will have to first compress/zip it. You can use your software of choice for the compression or follow these steps:
-Right click on the file
-Scroll down to "Send To:"
-Select compressed file and follow the prompt
a new folder with a zipper will appear where you choose to save your file.

YouSendIt.com
Type the following addres into your web browser:
http://dropbox.yousendit.com/entourageyearbooks

- Enter your email address and a message about what you are uploading to us.
- At the bottom of the page click on "browse" to find the file that you would like to upload.
- After you have selected the file click on "send it".
*BE SURE TO NOTIFY YOUR ACCOUNT MANAGER OF ALL FILE SUBMISSIONS RIGHT AWAY!

OPTION 3: ENTOURAGE FTP SERVER
You can access the Entourage FTP by using your web browser. Entourage suggests using Mozilla Firefox. If you do not have Firefox, the browser and FireFTP are both free downloads.

To access FireFTP from your Firefox browser, click on "Tools" and select FireFTP from the drop down menu

You will be prompted to the FTP screen:The 2 left windows are your computer and the right windows are the FTP

To log on to the FTP, click "connect" and fill out the prompted information appropriatly:

Host: ftp.entourageyearbooks.com
Login: "Teacher" or "Student"
Password: Apple

Make sure that your files are saved in a folder that is labeled with your school name. Then move this entire folder over into the FTP.

Once your files have uploaded, disconnect from the FTP and inform your Account Manager that you have uploaded your files.

OPTION 4: MAIL YOUR PHOTOS AND CONTENT TO US

At the end of the day sometimes it's easier to put the technology aside and just mail in your photos and CD's. We can also take content for your yearbook this way as well. Please mail all digital CD's and photographs to:

Entourage Yearbooks

attn: Account Representative

743 Alexander Road, Suite 6
Princeton, NJ 08540

Once we receive your information, we'll email you to verify that we've received everything.

That's four ways to submit your work to Entourage Yearbooks. We're always open to explore other convenient ways to work with our Customers so if you have any ideas for how to make this easier, we'd love to hear them.

Yearbook Editors Dilemna - Choosing the Right Yearbook Software

Elias — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:48:59 GMT

There are two main decisions that go into creating the perfect yearbook. The first is the software used to design the book. The second decision is ensuring that the printing of the yearbook goes easily and smoothly, mainly driven by the yearbook company you work with. With these two decisions under control, your school can count on having an amazing yearbook.

There are many different software options for creating the perfect yearbook. Each year, students make their yearbook the most important book for that graduating class. Many people keep their yearbooks for as long as they live and look back on them often. This puts a lot of pressure on the design and layout of the yearbook. There are companies that provide yearbook software for schools, but choosing the right one can be a daunting decision.

Types of yearbook software

For schools who wish to create the yearbook layout for themselves, there are many different kinds of yearbook computer programs to help. Choosing the right yearbook software is important for several reasons. First of all, the cost of the software is a large part of the yearbook budget. Secondly, the type of software that is chosen is important because each software program has different strengths and weaknesses.

Software

Difficulty of use

Image editing

Template available

Typical Cost

(per license)

The "low-down"

Adobe InDesign

High

Yes

> $700

Industry standard tool, gives tons of flexibility but difficult to learn to use

Microsoft Publisher

Medium

Limited

Yes

$200

Easier to learn with great flexibility. There are some bugs in the software that may surprise you (e.g,. transparent images)

QuarkXpress

High

Yes

$500

Similar to InDesign. Robust tool with tons of flexibility, but more difficult to learn to use

PageMaker

High

Yes

$300

Older software, not in as much use anymore

Microsoft Office

Low

Limited

Depending*

If you know how to use MS Word, this is sometimes the simplest option. Not as flexible

PelicanSoft Yearbooks Desktop!

Low

Yes

$200

Solid yearbook tool with tons of templates. Some limitations on flexibility but built with a number of great utilities to make yearbooks easier (e.g., layout of profiles)

* Many computers are already loaded with the suite of Microsoft office tools (e.g., Word, Powerpoint). Purchasing a new license typically in the range of $250-300 (less for academic licenses)

Working with your yearbook printer

There are a number of yearbook companies that do a great job helping schools with their yearbooks each year. Jostens, Entourage Yearbooks, Lifetouch, and Taylor Yearbooks are a few of the most popular. There are 4 areas in particular you can ask your yearbook printer for help with in regards to your yearbook software.
1.       Templates & clip art - Get your hands on the library of templates and clip-art used. Most companies have a CD that they can distribute to help you get the basics right first. Entourage Yearbooks provides a good comprehensive "starter-kit" with templates & clip art.
2.       Electronic & printed proofs - Make sure to ask for both a printed and electronic proof (usually PDF) from your printer to make sure the book looks the way it does on your computer.
3.       Discounted software - Many yearbook companies can offer software at lower that list prices, ask about discounts and offers.
4.       Technical support - Your yearbook company can provide technical support beyond what the software company can usually provide on page specification and color palettes. Make sure you know who to contact for which questions.

Starting on your yearbook project

Creating a great yearbook involves more than just the software you use but you don't have to be hindered by the software either. Following the above steps can help you get past a lot of the common "pitfalls" other schools have run into. There are a few final things to keep in mind for anyone embarking on a yearbook project. First, it's a lot of coordination to create a yearbook. Be ready to be working with a lot of people. Second, the software you use can be your friend or enemy, choose the right one for you wisely. Finally, remember to ask your yearbook company for help, the better ones will have figured out a lot of the more technical problems for you already.

About the author:
Elias Jo is the President of Entourage Yearbooks and a regular contributor to a number of blogs and ehow websites on yearbook design.

Four Yeabook Tips for Every Yearbook Advisor

Elias — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:47:51 GMT

Tip #1 - Plan who will do the work
Early in the school year the decision should be made as to the yearbook publisher. There is no way to overcome problems that will arise due to procrastination. The school should have historical data as to the usual purchase rate for annuals. Samples from various publishers, with printing costs, can guide selection of the company to be used. Well known publishers such as Jostens, Entourage Yearbooks, Lifetouch, and Taylor Publishing have longstanding reputations for quality work. Be sure to inquire about specials such as cover upgrades or price breaks for changing from black and white to color. Once a selling price is set, a budget can be worked out. This will serve as a financial plan for the project

Tip #2 - Plan what the book will look like
This is the most critical issue to students. The yearbook should contain all the important memories of the school year. It is the advisors responsibility to see that these are presented in an organized and complete way. A yearbook can be made interesting by tying all the sections together with a theme. The theme can be almost anything, but it should be consistent throughout the volume. The sections of the book should include all of the activities that are important to school life. Even if only 2% of the student body participates in a certain club, there will be unhappy customers (and their parents) if that organization is left out of the yearbook. Create a sample layout for the sections, planning the number, size and style of pictures. This plan will guide the actual work.

Tip #3 - Plan and execute the collection of materials
Decide early on aspects of data collection. What software will be used to lay out the volume? The publisher will have formats that they will accept. Make sure that the editors know how to use the software and do a test run to be sure the publisher is receiving sample pages accurately. Choose who will do the photography, writing, and recording of names for labeling the pictures. Individual shots will usually be taken professionally, and at least one backup date will need to be scheduled for retakes and to cover absences. Who will take candid shots, and what will be their general style?

Tip #4 - Plan for and meet all deadlines
Create a time line with the various deadlines prescribed by the printer. Know when photographs, copy and art work is due and submit it on time, even early. Things always go wrong and publishers can be most flexible when errors are discovered early. Be sure the editorial staff understands when their portions of the project are due.

With good management a yearbook with well-preserved memories of the school year will be enjoyed by all.

I Can't Log Into My Yearbook Project

Customer Service — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 02:18:18 GMT

Your school has signed up to use Entourage Yearbooks and you're ready to log on and start working on your yearbook. But you can't log on?

If you're having trouble logging on, you can verify the following information.

1) Are you logging on with your proper id. You school has provided you the access information to access the online yearbook site. Are you entering the correct information?

2) Is the site not available for access. It sometimes takes Entourage Yearbooks up to 1 week to setup your online yearbook site.

In either of the above cases, please contact us at yearbooks@entourageyearbooks.com and we'll try to help you. Make sure to include which yearbook you're trying to access, and what information you're using to access your yearbook.

Digital Photo Quality - Overview

Customer Service — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 19:57:24 GMT

When submitting photos online for your online yearbook project, it's important to understand how to evaluate the quality of your digital image files. In general, what you see in respect to quality on a computer screen does not necessarily translate when you print a photo out. When our designers work with your digital photographs, they need high resolution photos to make sure your pages are designed without the "grainy-ness" that is attributed to printing low resolution images.

The following are just a few rules of thumb when it comes to image quality and resolution. The easiest way to tell if an image file is of high quality is to check the size of the file. The below guidelines are based on "KB" or kilobytes of data.

If you're working with JPEG images, if you submit anything less than 100Kb, you're likely looking at a very low resolution file.
Anything between 100KB and 300KB, you have some resolution in your file, but you will still likely notice some grainyness when the image is printed.
If you're above 300KB on a JPEG image, then you're likely safe. Most digital cameras with 3 megapixels or more will always output a file above this range of data. If you have a 5 megapixel camera, which is the popular setting these days, you should see image file sizes above 1 megabyte.

There's much more technical aspects to image quality in respect to sampling and DPI's, but if that sounds a little advanced, please use the above bullets as a way to understand if your submitted images will print well or not.

PHOTOS ON ONLINE PHOTO SITES (e.g. Shuttefly, PhotoJo, OFotot)

Many people ask us about their photos on other websites. We do not have a relationship with any other online photo site except PhotoJo (http://www.photojo.com). If you use PhotoJo, we can simply import your photos to your yearbook. If you use any of these other sites, then we really have no way to access the high-resolution versions of your online files.

If you do use one of these other sites, aside from PhotoJo, then we recommend you get the original photos that were uploaded. If you simply download the images on these sites, they generally scale down the quality of the images in order to be able to serve the images quickly on their servers. This is not conducive though for printing. Please be aware, if you download photos from photo sites, make sure to check the file size (see above bullets). If the image file size is less than 100KB then you only have the low resolution version of the file .

If you have any questions further on your photos submissions, please email us a yearbooks@entourageyearbooks.com and we'll try to answer your questions.

The Yearbook Process - FAQ

Customer Service — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 01:23:14 GMT

The purpose of this thread is to provide a forum for students, advisors and editors to view and reference questions about the whole yearbook process.

We'll answer questions like:

How do we get started?
How much will it cost?
Where do I get my cover designed?
What should I cover in my yearbook?
Who is going to take care of the photography?

Check in regularly for the latest tips or you can put up your own ideas for how to manage a great yearbook process.

Entourage Yearbooks - FAQ

Entourage Customer Servic — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 01:08:31 GMT

The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions we receive about our yearbook services. If you have any additional information our would like to contribute to our FAQ forum please feel free.

The list of FAQ's is to make using our service as easy as possible, but if you continue to have questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Email: yearbooks@entourageyearbooks.com

Phone: (877) 289-0473

Entourage Customer Service

The Entourage Message Board - Welcome

Elias Jo — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 00:21:11 GMT

In order to keep a close connection with our customers and to provide a forum for yearbook organizers to share their experiences, Entourage is providing message board services instead of traditional FAQ's.

Our goal is to be an interactive and helpful leader in the yearbook publishing industry for schools, universities, and youth organizations. The Entourage goal is to provide a memory service that is easy, affordable, and representative of the quality of experiences you have during your school program.

I invite you all to join our yearbook forum for your questions, to share your ideas, and to participate in the community of people active in creating yearbooks for their student bodies.

Best regards,

Elias K. Jo

President

Entourage Yearbooks