When designing projects for print, such as flyers, postcards, or reports, it’s important to leverage the Johns Hopkins University brand and consider any connections to a digital medium for consistency. Our colors, typography, photography, and graphic elements provide the flexibility to create on-brand designs representing your unit’s unique voice and identity.
Design Considerations & Tips
To design effective print marketing and communications materials, first ask the following questions:
Who is your audience and what is the tone?
Will this print piece be seen by a younger audience, like prospective students? How about an audience that’s already familiar with our brand, like current graduate students or employees? Your target audience will rarely be “everyone,” and you should take the time to narrow in on who it is you’re really communicating to. Consider segmenting your broader communications so you can tailor your designs and voice to the audience!
How will this be printed and where will it be distributed?
Determine how your piece will be printed and distributed. Will it be mailed to alumni, posted around campus for students and faculty to see, or included in a local news outlet? Remember to think sustainably and don’t waste paper! Always ask yourself if the audience would be better served through a digital communications channel.
What’s your primary goal or call to action?
Every design should have a purpose—a call to action (CTA) for the audience. Whether you want them to register for an event, support a certain cause, or remember an upcoming deadline, it’s important to connect your audience with additional resources, like a URL, QR code, or an email address. These CTAs also help to measure the efficacy of your communications because you can track the data and gain insights from the analytics.
Marq Templates
Create on-brand print marketing materials with ease in Marq, our templated design portal! Marq is a web-based desktop publishing software used to create branded marketing and communications materials, such as flyers, postcards, and reports.
Local Print Vendors
The following vendors are familiar with the Johns Hopkins University brand guidelines and will provide quotes, print proofs, and order guidance. You are welcome to order from other vendors beyond those listed below.
Note: If you’re looking to order promotional items (apparel, giveaways, etc.), you must use a licensed vendor. Find out more on our Merchandise page.
Stationery
Our official Johns Hopkins University stationery system consists of approved designs for letterhead, envelopes, business cards, name tags, greeting cards, and more. All university employees are required to use the approved university stationery templates. Johns Hopkins does not allow changes or alterations to the designs unless a strategic need is presented. These designs may be customized and ordered online via our Stationery Portal, powered by Alpha Graphics, Inc. If you have any questions about the order process, please contact us.
Note: If it’s your first time ordering through the Alpha Graphics portal, you’ll need to request an account through the link above.
Letterhead
Use official JHU letterhead for formal print correspondence to convey your university affiliation and your specific unit identity. Only official JHU logos are permitted on university letterhead. Digital letterhead is available for download.
Envelopes
Use official JHU envelopes for mailing formal print correspondence to convey your university affiliation and your specific unit identity.
Memo Pads
For print correspondence and notes that are more informal, yet still professional, consider using official JHU memo pads.
Primary Business Card
The primary business card format should be used by all faculty and staff. You may choose to use the JHU logo or a division or interdisciplinary logo on the back of your card. There is also an option to include a QR code on the front of your business card.
Student & Alumni Business Card
The student business card format may be used by any current or former undergraduate or graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. You may choose to use the JHU logo or a division logo on the back of your card.
Athletics Business Card
The athletic business card format may be used by employees in the JHU athletics department. You can use the Hopkins Athletics logo or a specific team logo on the back of your card. There is also an option to include a QR code on the front of your business card.
Sticky Notes
Take note of phone messages, reminders, to-do lists, and more with JHU-branded sticky notes.
Nametags
Identify yourself at events with a JHU name badge. Adherence to a standardized template for these tags enhances the university’s professional image and strengthens our brand.
Folders
Use pocket folders to hold and protect loose sheets of paper, photos, and brochures.
Note: For staff members with dual appointments, use the primary University logo. If multiple appointments must be included, do so using the designated unit or title text fields.