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Communications Stylebook: Basic Checklist for Product Development
Stylebook Table of Contents
Introduction
Checklist for Product Development
Writing Guide
- Introduction
- What is the EPA Writing Style?
- Spelling - One word or Two?
- Titles
- Writing for Kids
- Words and Structure
- Punctuation Pointers
- Grammar Guides
- Structure and Style Recommendations
- How to Structure Communications
- More Elements of Style
- Process Suggestions
- The Substance of Style
Logo Guide
- A Couple of Preliminary Ideas About Logos
- Ethics and EPA Logo Usage
- Other Rules and Orders
- Basic Elements (PDF)
- EPA Logo Policies
- Touchpoints
- EPA Logo Classifications (PDF)
Graphics Guide
- Overview/General Guidelines
- Color Printing vs. Black and White
- Requirements and Printing Regulations
- EPA Policy Regarding Paper Stocks
- Paper Savings and Paper Sizes
- Use of Government Bankcard for Printing and Photocopying
- In-House Copy Center Duplication
- Peer Review
- Anchor Elements
- Types of Communication Materials
- Processes and Forms for Print Publishing
- Technical Guidelines for Print Publishing
- Key Printing Questions
- Top 10 Things You Can do to Create Better Printed Documents
Authorities and Legal Information Guide
- Production
- Authority and Sources of Information
- Copyright and Trademark Laws
- The Nature of Copyright
- Government Works
- Works of Recipients of Assistance Agreements and Contractors
- Joint Works of EPA and Non-EPA Employees
- Use of Copyrighted Materials
- Fair Use Doctrine
- Computer Software and Data
- Children's Privacy
- Additional Information
- Authorities: Internal and External
Training and Education Guide
Who's Who and Networking in EPA
Appendix A: Bibliography and Sources for this Manual
Appendix B: Glossaries
1. Develop Your Concept
Develop your communications product concept. Consult with your office's communications staff, your Product Review Officer and OPA. Early consultation leads to a better product every time.
- Questions to consider: What are you trying to communicate? What are you trying to get your audience to do? Identify your top messages. Through what means will you communicate your message and get people to take action? The Web? A podcast? A brochure? A promotional item?
- Determine if similar EPA products already exist and can simply be improved upon. For example, if your product is intended for teachers or students, check the Environmental Education Resource Center on the EPA Intranet.
2. Identify Your Audience
Determine the audience you wish to reach.
- Are you targeting scientists, businesses, mothers, gas station owners or the general public? Your product should suit your target audience.
- How prepared is your audience to use your information? What do they need to learn in order to use the information effectively? What do they already understand?
Learn more about structuring your communications for your audiences.
3. Develop a Distribution Plan
Develop a distribution plan that will best get your product to your target audience.
Distribution can be more complex and expensive than expected depending on the type of product you selected. For example, a multi-page full color brochure mailed to multiple stakeholders will be more costly than a product intended for the Web.
Find out more about distributing different types of communication materials
4. Get a Cost Estimate
Get approval from your manager and obtain funding for the development of the product, printing or production, and for distribution. Consult with your manager and Contracting Officer/Contracting Officer's Representative if your product needs to be created by a contractor. Develop a cost estimate and get approval from your manager.
5. Concept Product Review
Continue working with your communications staff and Product Review Officer to enter your concept description into PROTRAC. You must have OPA approval before proceeding further and/or incurring product development costs.
View a full explanation of the Product Review system
6. Use the Stylebook
Design and develop your communications product using the EPA Communications Product Standards Stylebook and related guides.
View Appendix A: Bibliography and Sources for this Manual
7. Obtain a Publication Number
Contact the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) for a product number 
to identify the originating office, the type of product, such as fact sheet or booklet, the date of publication and other factors.
Learn more about processes and forms for print publishing
8. Draft Product Review
Enter your final product into the PROTRAC for feedback. You must obtain OPA approval prior to moving forward on production or publication.
View a full explanation of the Product Review system
9. Publish
This step will vary depending on your communications medium. For a Web product, consult your Web team member and your Product Review Officer. For audiovisual products, you will likely shoot your video or record your audio file at this time.
For print products, complete a printing request on EPA Form 2200-9 (available electronically on WebForms) Work with the HQ or regional EPA printing offices where you will receive professional assistance to determine the best printing practices and options for your product.
- Tip: If you are planning a direct distribution from the printer to regional offices or other addresses, include a listing of names and complete addresses and the number of copies going to each location.
More information on this topic is available in the Graphics Guide part of this Stylebook