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BRANDING TEMPLATES PHOTOGRAPHY ICONOGRAPHY NEWSPAPER AD REQUEST BUSINESS CARDS BUILDING WRAP PRINT & MOUNT SERVICES TIMELINE & PROCESS FAQS & ABOUT
Greetings from the Graphics Team! Our goal is to help you navigate and utilize the resources we provide, supporting your success as much as possible. We aim to grow our library over time. Stay tuned!
As the Graphics Team serving as the brand ambassadors for the Planning Department, we lead the effort to ensure the City of Boston’s brand voice is accurately represented, making it easier for you to do the same. Explore our comprehensive toolkit below, and don’t forget you can also access the City of Boston employee toolkit here.
Contact
Still have questions?
Contact: Planning Graphics
Need graphics assistance? Submit your request 2-3 weeks before your project deadline to ensure timely delivery. Timelines vary based on the request and our capacity.
You must have Box access to this link.
TEMPLATES & RESOURCES
We recognize the importance of choosing the right template to meet your specific needs. Below is a breakdown of the four most common materials, each designed to help you achieve your goals effectively.
Promotional Communication
Type | Difference | Use Cases |
Brochure/Pamphlet | Detailed, bi-folded/tri-folded, comprehensive info with images and sections | In-depth informational & educational handouts, event handouts |
Flyer | Concise, single-page, eye-catching, brief | Promoting events, public distribution, quick information |
One Pager
| Concise, single-page, business context, summary with key points | Meeting handouts |
Postcard | Short, single-page, direct mail, visually appealing | Direct mail marketing, announcing promotions/events, invitations |
Canva: For templates in Canva format, please select “Use Template for New Design”. You may need to sign up for Canva first if this is your first time.
Additionally, our Graphics Team currently has a Canva team with limited seats. If you’re a regular user for Canva user, please let us know and we can add you to the Canva team so you’ll have full access.
Don’t know how to use Canva? Check out this video guide!
Supporting Materials
Letterhead Guidance: Please use the Planning Department letterhead when representing the City of Boston Department in communications with external stakeholders, community groups or other entities and City of Boston Departments. If you believe you need BRA/EDIC letterhead, please confirm with the legal team. Materials should only have BRA/EDIC on them for legal reasons.
Presentation
PHOTOGRAPHY
Neighborhoods
City of Boston Photography Library
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
If none of the photos above meet your needs, the graphics team is happy to take additional outdoor photos for your upcoming projects. • Neighborhood Photos • Aerial Photos
This request is subject to our capacity and weather conditions. Drone aerial photos may not be possible in all locations due to FAA regulations.
Please submit photo requests at least 2 weeks before the next scheduled photo capture day.
April to November only.
Headshot
The graphics team hosts a headshot event for the entire Planning Department every other month. These headshots will be added to your intranet staff directory entry unless you inform us otherwise. You are also free to use your headshot for your Gmail profile, LinkedIn, or even as a passport photo.
How to Reserve Your Slot:
The graphics team will send an email 1-2 weeks before the headshot event with a link to the sign-up sheet. Simply add your name and preferred time. Once you’ve reserved your slot, get ready to pose, and we’ll see you there!
* All staff are welcome, including interns, contractors, and co-op members.
Every other month. (Tuesday or Wednesday)
Location: Board Room | 9th Floor.
Updated: June, 2024
ICONOGRAPHY
Currently, we have a library of over 500 icons, with 300 icons updated to the City of Boston brand style and ready to use. The remaining icons will be available in the coming weeks. In the meantime, feel free to explore the City of Boston’s icon library here.
NEWSPAPER AD
To request an ad for the weekly papers, please submit the form at least two weeks prior to publication and review the attached newspaper ad deadlines within the form.
Each team has a designated person responsible for sending out the ads, while the graphics team focuses solely on creating them, requiring a minimum 48-hour turnaround time.
* Please refrain from rescheduling the meeting or changing ad information once it’s sent out to avoid confusion.
Expected delivery time: 1-2 Business days
NAME TAG
Yes, we make our name tags in-house. Whether you’re requesting a name tag for yourself or for someone else, as long as you provide us with an accurate name and room number, we will make the name tag and put it up for you.
We recommend that managers submit the request at least one week before a new employee starts.
* We typically produce name tags on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
Expected delivery time: 1-3 Business days
BUSINESS CARDS
BUILDING WRAP
Graphic Requirements:
Vector Logos (.ai or .eps) files for any and all logos that are being included in wrap
- A CAD, Outline drawing, or rendering of the building, must be 300dpi.
- 300dpi images to be used on the two separate panels of the wrap (These images can anything from renderings, lifestyle shots, neighborhood photos etc).
- 3-4 Stats sections have set themes but can be changed as needed to suit the project. More information can be found here: Development Standards
Expected delivery time: 2-5 Business days
PRINT & MOUNT SERVICES
Need help with printing and laminating your work?
Printing:
Many staff members are familiar with using the plotter, but if you need assistance, the graphics team is happy to provide basic training. Additionally, we can print files for you if they are provided with 2-3 days’ notice.
If the plotter isn’t working and you need the service urgently, you may also check with GIS to see if you could use their plotter.
Mounting & Laminating:
Laminating services are more complex than printing. We’re happy to laminate materials for you or provide training if you’re interested. This process requires foam boards, and sometimes things can go wrong, so please inform us at least one week in advance, especially if you need more than five boards. This allows us to ensure we have enough boards and reserve them for you if needed.
Expected delivery time: 2-5 Business days
Printing Service:
• Print files in advance: 2-3 days.
• Max size: 36” x 48”.
Laminating Service
• Advance notice: 1 week.
• Max size: 24” x 36”.
TIMELINE & PROCESS
This process and timeline serves as a guideline to help you plan your project as early as possible and ensure a smooth workflow.
Material Type | Time Estimate | Included Drafts | Suggested Uses | Content Needs | Image/Graphic Needs | Specs | Printing Requirements |
Infographic | ≥3 Weeks | ≤2 Drafts | Mailings, event advertisements, short-term initiatives | Statistics or facts, contact info, social media links | Logos, photos | Rectangular for Facebook/Twitter, square for Instagram | n/a |
Postcard | ≥3 Weeks | ≤2 Drafts | Event handouts, brief info dissemination | Event date, time, location, return address, brief background, relevance, eligibility, accessibility, call to action | Logos, photos | 4.25” x 5.5”
5” x 7”, 6” x 9” | Purchasing order number, printer preference, quantity |
Flier | ≥2 Weeks | ≤2 Drafts | Informational display, wayfinding | Event date, time, location, background, relevance, eligibility, checklist, accessibility, call to action, translated text | Logos, photos | 4.25” x 5.5”
8.5” x 11”
18” x 24”
20” x 30”
24” x 36” | Purchasing order number, printer preference, quantity |
Poster | ≥2 Weeks | ≤2 Drafts | Events | Event date, time, location, background, relevance, eligibility, checklist, accessibility, call to action, RSVP | Logos, photos | 18” x 24”
20” x 30”
24” x 36” | Purchasing order number, printer preference, quantity, mounting/hanging specifications, weatherproofing |
Invitation | ≥2 Weeks | ≤2 Drafts | Events, basic info dissemination | Event date, time, location, background, relevance, eligibility, checklist, accessibility, call to action | Logos, photos | 5” x 5”
5” x 7” when folded | Purchasing order number, printer preference, quantity |
Brochure | ≥1 Month | ≤3 Drafts | Annual reports, research findings, promotion | Contact info, social media links, call to action, background info, facts | Logos, cover and content photos | 8.5” x 11” tri-fold
8.5” x 14” tri-fold
11” x 17” quarter fold | Purchasing order number, printer preference, quantity |
Booklet | ≥1 Month | ≤4 Drafts | Events | Agenda, notable bios/photos, background info on host, purpose, acknowledgments, call to action, sponsors | Logos of hosts and sponsors, cover and content photos | 5.5” x 8.5”
when folded, 8+ pages | Purchasing order number, printer preference, quantity |
Report | ≥1 Month | ≤4 Drafts | Depends on project | Contact info, social media links, table of contents, works cited, text content, mission statement, headers/sections, charts, facts, acknowledgments | Logos, cover photo, content photos | 8.5” x 11”
when folded/bound or as requested | Purchasing order number, printer preference, quantity |
Promotional | ≥2 Weeks | ≤2 Drafts | Giveaways, events | Contact info, social media links, brief background, eligibility, call to action, mission statement, hyperlinks, services, locations, navigation | Logos, photos | Bookmark, coaster, stickers, buttons, pencils, clothing | Purchasing order number, printer preference, quantity |
Website | Depends on project | Depends on project | Online presence | Contact info, social media links, brief background, eligibility, call to action, mission statement, hyperlinks, services, locations, navigation | Logos, photos | Lives on Bostonplans.org, subdomain, or unique URL | n/a |
*Logo request: Please note that our graphics team no longer offer logo design services. This is because we were informed that only City of Boston departments are eligible for logos; individual projects or planning initiative do not receive their own logos. However, there may be some exceptions. If you require a logo, please reach out to the City of Boston Creative Team.