Timelines and Lead Time Expectations

Project requests must be submitted a minimum of four weeks before the desired launch or delivery date. Earlier submission is strongly encouraged for complex or high-volume projects, such as campaigns, multi-phase initiatives, and work involving photo/video shoots or multiple marketing channels. See example timelines below to help assess your project’s lead time needs.

Submission of a project request initiates OMC review; it does not constitute project acceptance, assignment, or a guarantee of production or delivery. OMC evaluates each request based on institutional priorities, strategic alignment, policy compliance, feasibility, timing, and available resources. Production timelines and delivery dates are established only after a project has been accepted and scheduled.

OMC is available to consult on internal workflows and external vendor timelines during project planning. Requesting units are responsible for planning sufficiently far in advance to accommodate the entire project timeline, including planning, writing and editing, design, layout or filming, revisions, printing or production, and mailing, delivery or installation. Requesting units must account for these requirements when establishing desired deadlines. Requests submitted with insufficient lead time may be delayed, rescheduled, or declined based on institutional priorities, project requirements, available capacity, existing commitments, and minimum production time requirements.

Example Timelines for New Projects

The following examples illustrate typical production timeframes for common project types and are provided for illustrative planning purposes only. These estimates are not guaranteed turnaround times and do not establish a deadline for project completion.

Actual lead times vary based on project complexity, institutional priority, existing workload, staffing capacity, and other production requirements. OMC will determine and communicate the anticipated project schedule after a request has been reviewed, accepted, and assigned.
 

Standard Print Materials (e.g., flyers, postcards, posters)
Allow 3–4 weeks. This includes content edits, design, proofing, and vendor production.

Specialty Collateral (e.g., banners, signage, branded merchandise)
Allow 4–6 weeks. Timelines vary based on vendor availability, production methods, and item complexity.

Brochures and Small Booklets (up to ~12 pages)
Allow 5–8 weeks. These materials require additional time for content development, layout, proofing, and printing.

Multi-Channel Campaigns (e.g., web, social, print, digital ads)
Allow 8–12 weeks. Integrated campaigns involve strategy, messaging, asset creation, and coordination across multiple platforms and vendors.

Website Builds or Major Web Updates
Allow 3–6 months. Timing depends on content readiness, site architecture, technical needs, and stakeholder responsiveness.

Magazine or Long-Form Publications
Allow 6–10 months. These projects are content-heavy and involve coordination among contractors, freelance writers, photographers, and/or designers. The timeline includes writing, editing, photo shoots, layout, proofing, and production. Content development and multi-stage approvals are typically the most time-consuming phases.

Photography and Videography Projects
Allow 6–8 weeks for simple requests and up to 12+ months for campaign-level or documentary-style productions. Complex projects may include location scouting, scheduling across departments, off-campus venues, scripting, production, and editing—along with reviews and integrations into broader campaigns.

Logos
Standard university logo lockups (LOYOLA + college, center, department, etc.) require 2 weeks for delivery. Custom logo development is approved only under exceptional circumstances by the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Brand identity development—including naming, logo design, positioning, and/or supporting assets—requires 6–12 months, depending on project scope, brief clarity, review cadence, and the number of iterations involved.

Signage and Environmental Graphics
Allow 6 months to 2 years from request to installation. These projects require extensive in-person assessments, concept development, architectural and facilities coordination, materials sourcing, complex production methods, and expert installation sometimes requiring rental of specialty equipment. Timelines vary based on project scope, clarity of the brief, campus infrastructure needs, supply chain variables, and installation constraints.