Event Print Materials for Higher Education

Go to any school with an engaged, animated student body, and you’ll see immediately that print still matters at campus events. From signs held up on game day to postcards promoting upcoming events, there’s no substitute for print when you want to build hype and promote school spirit. To prove that point, let’s take a closer look at the specific role print plays in the events of higher education. We’ll analyze the importance of physical presence and branding power, as well as print’s unique capacity to foster engagement within the student community.

Open House and Campus Tours

It all starts with the very first event a student’s likely to attend - an admissions event. Brochures, campus maps, program guides, and branded welcome packets all help create a polished, informative, and memorable first impression. What’s more, these tactile print materials serve as valuable take homes, strengthening the memories and impressions formed in-person. The use of specialty coatings and materials can further elevate this effect, increasing the prestige and perceived value of a student's encounter. And to top it all off, consider personalizing key materials like tour packets, to help students feel more appreciated and individually celebrated.

Learn how to design recruitment materials that speak to prospective students.

Admissions & Orientation Events

Print admissions materials also play a critical part in supporting clear communication and smooth logistics during complex orientation and admissions events. They come in many forms, including:

• Name badges
• Event schedules
• Folders
• Signage for wayfinding and session details
• Print kits that reinforce school pride and onboarding.

Though more reserved than print’s most exuberant event-support materials, the benefit of printing practical and informational resources can’t be understated. These resources support structured, high-attendance gatherings by ensuring everyone knows the who, what, when, and where. It’s the best way to guarantee these events run smoothly, and that everyone has a positive experience for their start of life on campus.

See how print shapes the entire student experience, from recruitment through alumni engagement.

Fundraising Galas, Alumni Receptions & Donor Events

Perhaps the most upscale printed event materials are used for big ticket events related to fundraising and alumni relations. For these celebrations, using high-quality print materials and finishes helps communicate the prestige and value placed on donors and alumni. Every invitation, RSVP, and event program can be rendered more impactful through the use of treatments like metallic foils, gloss, embossment, and fine textured papers.

Athletic & Campus Spirit Events

Finally, we arrive at the stars of the show. Game-day, concert, festival, and other major event print materials should be boldly designed and printed, amplifying excitement and evoking school pride. These materials don’t just promote and inform, they also play a physical part in the celebration. They’re raised, waved, carried, signed, and saved by the students and staff involved. They include:

• Banners
• Flyers
• Handouts
• Branded swag giveaways
• Coordinated signs for student sections and pep rallies.

Because of the prominent part these print products play in the physical events themselves, it’s always recommended to work with a professional printer to identify the best materials for the occasion. Durable substrates, inks, and treatments are needed to ensure these products hold up to the energy and unpredictability of outdoor and large-scale events.