Political Campaign Printing Checklist: What to Order

Signs are visible.

But behind them may be postcards, palm cards, door hangers, event signage, volunteer materials, banners and multiple rounds of direct mail.

The expensive mistake isn't necessarily ordering the wrong product.

It's discovering you need something after the production window has become a rush job.

Use this checklist to map the entire print program before the orders begin.

The Campaign Print Checklist

Yard Signs

Determine:

Quantity
Finished size
One or two sides
Corrugated-plastic thickness
Stakes
Delivery location
Initial quantity
Replacement/replenishment plan

Don't forget to compare multiple quantities before approving the order.

Related guide

How Much Do Political Yard Signs Cost?

Palm Cards

Palm cards can be useful anywhere campaign staff or volunteers distribute printed information directly.

Before printing, determine:

Finished size
One or two sides
Stock
Quantity
Number of versions
Delivery schedule

If multiple groups need different versions, identify that before production.

Door Hangers

Door hangers add finishing considerations that a standard flyer does not.

Confirm:

Finished dimensions
Die-cut configuration
Paper or stock
Printed sides
Quantity
Versioning

A printer needs more information than simply:

“We need 10,000 door hangers.”

Political Postcards

For direct mail, printing is only one part of the project.

You may also need:

Mailing data
Addressing
Postal preparation
Postage
Mailing indicia
Versioning
Mail-drop coordination

If PrintScale is quoting the complete mail project, provide the mailing quantity and preferred format at the beginning.

Letters and Envelope Packages

Some mail programs require more room than a postcard provides.

A package may involve:

Outer envelope
Letter
Reply device
Additional insert
Addressing
Inserting
Sealing
Postal preparation

Every additional component affects production.

Define the complete package before estimating.

Flyers

Flyers are flexible because they can be:

Hand distributed
Included in volunteer materials
Used at events
Placed at approved locations
Inserted into other packages

The biggest questions are usually size, stock, quantity, sides and finishing.

Banners

Banners frequently appear at:

Events
Campaign offices
Approved outdoor locations
Press/event backdrops

Confirm finished size, material, finishing and installation requirements.

For example, a banner that needs grommets should be quoted that way from the beginning.

Event Signage

Event printing can include:

Directional signs
Welcome signs
Podium signage
Step-and-repeat graphics
Table signage
Foam-board signs
Coroplast signs
Large-format banners

Build event printing into the schedule rather than treating it as a last-minute category.

Stickers and Labels

Determine:

Shape
Finished size
Material
Adhesive requirements
Quantity
Roll vs. individual format where applicable

Volunteer Materials

Think operationally.

Will volunteers need:

Printed instructions
Maps
Checklists
Sign-out sheets
Event materials
Bundled campaign literature

Campaign printing isn't only public-facing collateral.

It can also support the people handling distribution.

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Build Your Print Calendar Backward

Start with:

When does the finished material need to be in hand?

Then work backward through:

Delivery

Packing

Finishing

Printing

Proof approval

Artwork preparation

That sequence is far safer than choosing a print date first and hoping everything fits afterward.

Have a quantity already?

Have Several Campaign Pieces to Produce?

Send the complete list instead of quoting them one at a time.

That gives us a better picture of quantities, schedules and delivery requirements.

For higher-volume campaign programs, quantities, materials, finishing, freight and distribution can materially affect the final cost. PrintScale can review the actual specifications through its political campaign printing service.

GET A CAMPAIGN QUOTE

Early Campaign Printing

Typically identify:

Core yard-sign inventory
Initial handouts
Basic event materials
First mail formats
General campaign signage

Mid-Campaign Printing

Review:

Sign replenishment
Additional mail pieces
Events
Volunteer quantities
Version changes
Inventory remaining

Final Printing Window

Confirm:

Remaining inventory
Final scheduled mail pieces
Event needs
Reorders
Delivery dates

Avoid creating unnecessary rush work by reviewing inventory before it reaches zero.

Campaign Printing Information Sheet

Before requesting estimates, gather:

PRODUCT: What are we printing?

QUANTITY: How many?

SIZE: Finished dimensions?

SIDES: One or two?

MATERIAL: Paper, board, corrugated plastic, etc.?

FINISHING: Folding, cutting, drilling, stakes, binding, etc.?

VERSIONS: One design or multiple?

DELIVERY: Where?

DEADLINE: When must it be in hand?

Give that information to your printer and estimating becomes dramatically easier.

The Takeaway

One Plan Beats Ten Small Orders.

The best political printing checklist isn't a list of products.

It's a list of products plus quantities, specifications and dates.

Map the entire campaign print requirement early and individual orders become easier to estimate, schedule and produce.

Political Campaign Printing Checklist