Letterhead, business cards, envelopes

Q: What happens to a someone if their business cards, letterhead and envelopes do not adhere to the policies set forth by the chancellor and those stated in the graphic identity manual?
A: Intentional noncompliance only harms the individual or the department. The chancellor will personally deal with these individuals and situations as they arise. There are serious repercussions if departmental money was used to pay for noncompliant business cards, letterhead and envelopes.

Q: Can I center my department's name, address and other information on the letterhead below the horizontal hairline?
A: No, the structure or architecture of the letterhead permits only two columns of information. One column contains the land-grant statement above the line. In some instances, some information can be printed below the line in this column, providing it is only several lines (Web address, department's slogan, extra phone numbers, the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action statement, etc.). The second column closest to the right edge should contain all department, school/college, address, phone, fax and email. Spacing between these elements is up to individuals departments. Consult University Graphics, 515-2131 or Vicky Earp, Project Manager, Office of Public Affairs, 919.515.3865, vicky_earp@ncsu.edu for questions.

Q: Can I recreate the letterhead on my computer to generate letters directly from my printer?
A: No.

Q: What is the thickness of the vertical and horizontal lines?
A: The thickness is hairline.

Q: Why can't I just use box instead of campus box in my address?
A: Campus Box must be used to avoid confusion with local PO Box addresses.

Q: Why is the envelope printed in all red?
A: To avoid higher costs in printing envelopes in 2 color (red and black).

Q: Do I have to indicate phone and fax numbers by attaching the words (fax) and (phone)?
A: If you do not want to use (phone) after the phone number, the distinction can be stated by attaching (fax) after the fax number.

Q: Can I change the dots in the phone numbers to dashes?
A: No, all phone numbers must use dots.

Q: Can I print on the back side of the business card?
A: Yes, for those wanting to list more than one title, affiliated department, address information in a second language or additional information about themselves.

Q: Can I add the full name "North Carolina State University" to my business card?
A: Yes. The proper position is in the address block as a line immediately preceding the campus box number.

Q: Can I put my departmental logos or the bell tower seal on letterhead, envelopes or business cards?
A: No.

Q: As a foundation or national organization who receives no money or support from the state or the university, am I required to follow the new graphic identity policies on letterhead, envelopes and business cards?
A: No.

Q: Can I change the column lengths or widths, or rearrange them to other sizes?
A: No.

Q: Can I put my department's full address above the line on the letterhead?
A: In most cases, only the department's name should appear above the line and the remaining address, phone, fax, Web address, etc. should appear below the line. Use your discretion in judging what should be above or below the line.

Q: Do the lines bleed to the edges?
A: No, not on the letterhead. This saves money for printing costs on larger sheets of paper. However, on the business cards, the lines do bleed to the edges.

Q: What is the official NC State color?
A: PMS 186 red

Q: Are departments permitted to use slogans on the letterhead?
A: Yes, provided they adhere to the architectural design of the letterhead by placing the slogan in one of the columns to the right of the center of the page (i.e., beneath the line of the land-grant statement or the department name). Slogans should not be centered on the bottom of the page.

Q: Who can I contact to help me with the layout of letterhead, envelopes and business cards?
A: E-mail or phone Vicky Earp, Project Manager, Office of Public Affairs, 919.515.3865, vicky_earp@ncsu.edu.

Use of the logotype in publications

Q: Where should I place the logotype?
A: Generally, it should be placed in the upper-left corner of the front cover, the main cover photograph (provided the photograph occupies most of the front cover) or the left column of type on the front cover. The same position is occupied in display advertising. This position is recommended because the graphic design system frames the page rather than takes the center. The logotype is weighted to occupy an upper-left position on the page and is not to be centered on a page. The full name of the university -- North Carolina State University -- should appear with the logotype on all front covers of publications. See the graphic identity manual for examples.

Q: What other elements should be present on the front cover?
A: The full name of "North Carolina State University" should be paired with the logotype when designing publication covers.

Q: May I use the bell tower seal or a departmental logo in a publication?
A:Yes, as long as the logotype is used according to specifications. Other logos should not be placed adjacent to the logotype. They may occupy the lower left or right corners, or be used as an illustration as the bell tower seal has been used on the cover of the graphic identity manual. The bell tower also makes an attractive presentation centered at the bottom of the back cover of a publication, as long as it is printed large enough to be legible.

Q: Does the logotype need to be on both front and back covers?
A: No, it is preferred to be on the front.

Q: Can the logotype be printed in colors other than black and red?
A: Yes.

Q: Can the logotype be vertically aligned?
A: No.

Q: How can I get copies of the files?
A: They are downloadable off the graphic identity homepage or disks can be requested by e-mailing or calling Vicky Earp, Office of Public Affairs, 919.515.3865.

Q: Can I recreate the logotype if I own the univers font family on my computer?
A: No! The logotype has been specifically kerned at each point size. It is imperative to use the files that you can download from the graphic identity homepage or request from Public Affairs.

Use of the logotype on the web

Q: How do I begin changing my Web pages?
A: Dreamweaver templates and downloadable logos are available here.

If you have requests for disks or additional questions, e-mail: vicky_earp@ncsu.edu.