How long does an exhibition catalogue take?

Begin with the required delivery date

Tell me when the copies must reach the organiser. The opening date may be later than the date needed for mailing, press materials or distribution to partners.

About a month is typical; the exact schedule depends on the commission. A short catalogue with complete materials differs from a substantial publication involving several authors. If images or translations are still being prepared, I need their expected delivery dates.

You can contact me before everything is complete. The important point is to distinguish approved materials from those still in progress.

Define the publication and organise materials

I ask whether the catalogue primarily presents artworks, documents an exhibition or contains substantial curatorial essays. This helps determine the balance of text and images.

Prepare a draft contents list and identify required elements such as biographies, credits, logos and acknowledgements. If the catalogue belongs to a series or follows an exhibition identity, send the relevant guidelines.

Supply reproductions separately, with filenames matching a master list of objects and captions. Include the agreed information, such as artist, title, year, medium, dimensions and image credit. Tell me whether cropping is permitted and whether the sequence is fixed.

Check image quality

Send the available source files. Images placed in a text document can identify the objects but do not replace reproduction files. Their suitability depends on the intended size in the publication.

I assess retouching and colour work separately. Basic retouching starts at approximately PLN 10-15 net per image; more demanding material needs an individual assessment.

Where colour is particularly important, the checking process should be agreed with the publication and printer requirements in mind. A view on an arbitrary screen should not be the sole reference. Any additional proof, its cost and approval responsibility need to be agreed.

Plan the languages before layout

I prepare bilingual and trilingual catalogues. Tell me the required languages before layout starts. Parallel texts, separate language sections and shared illustrations with multilingual captions offer different reading arrangements.

Translations vary in length, so adding a language after the layout is settled can change the page plan. I need to know when the approved versions will be available and who will check them.

Provide consistent translations of artwork titles, institutional names and captions. Typesetting language versions and producing translations are separate tasks.

Coordinate approval and printing

I recommend one coordinator to consolidate comments from the curator, artists, authors and organiser. Check the relationship between captions and reproductions as carefully as the text itself. Names, dates, object numbers and language versions all need attention.

I agree revision rounds in the quotation. Final approval should identify the specific version for production. New objects or essays added afterwards may affect the schedule and layout.

Print preparation is generally included when I typeset the catalogue. I can arrange printing through one of five trusted print partners, with quantity, specifications and delivery priced individually. International delivery is available; settlement in EUR or GBP can be agreed.

What I need for a quotation

Send the intended extent, format, image count, languages and delivery date, together with a contents outline and sample materials. Tell me whether you need retouching, cover preparation, printing and delivery.

The starting rate is PLN 75 net per page. If the page count is undecided, I can begin with the materials and publication brief. For urgent work, call to discuss availability and pricing.