Printing & Creative Services

The Printing & Design team serves the marketing and informational needs of the university by providing print and electronic design for the entire campus community.

Among their services are:

Graphic Design -Print and electronic materials
Illustration -Custom artwork for advertisements, posters, and publications
Printing -Offset and digital, long and short runs, 1 to 8 color
Digital Copying -Direct from your files or hard copy originals
Signage -Interior and exterior signage, temporary or permanent
Large Format Printing -Posters and banners
Bindery -Booklets, notepads, coil binding, stitching, and die cutting
Mailing -Working with WCU's post office and the USPS, we'll handle your mailing for you, ensuring you meet all USPS requirements, get the best delivery times, and get the highest possible postage discounts.

Digital Media Center

The Digital Media Center is a division of EdTech & User Services that offers a variety of audio and video services to university faculty and staff. The Digital Media Center resources are available for university functions and organizations. Services range from setting up sound systems to video editing to transferring video and audio media. For a full list of services visit the dmc website

Sykes Copy Center

Located on the second floor of Sykes Student Union in room 235, the Copy Center offers many different services, including color or black and white copies, faxing, scanning, and lamination. Choose from a variety of paper sizes, colors, card stock and glossy paper. You can speak directly to the Copy Center staff during business hours at 610-436-3336. For a full list of services visit the Sykes Services website.

Other Helpful Information

When copying and pasting content into your website editor, first copy it into Notepad and remove the formatting.
Use bold moderately. For headings, use one of the heading styles instead of bold text.
Use bullets for easy scanning of text and to break up large sections of text to keep attention.
Avoid directional language, such as "navigation on right" because sometimes page sections move or disappear on mobile view.
Test your pages on mobile view.
Use inclusive language. Try to avoid "she/he." It's awkward and can exclude individuals. Use words such as "you," "student," or "they" when possible.

Web Accessibility

Accessible content can be understood by everyone, regardless of the browser or adaptive technology a person might be using. Accessible content benefits everyone, even those with no apparent disability.

West Chester University is committed to diversity and providing a barrier-free information technology environment to all students, faculty, and staff. Information Services & Technology has collaborated with campus constituents to develop plans to comply with ADA standards as they apply to information technology. More resources through the Information Services & Technology website.

Descriptive Link Text

Links should be written in conversational text. Do not write out the URL.
Avoid phrases such as "click here," "read more," or "more information."
Make sure the linked text describes the information the user will be taken to.
Do not underline non-linked text as it can look like a broken link.

Image Alt Text

All images should have Alternative Text or Alt text through websites, email, and other forms of communication.
This is the text that will be read by a screen reader for users with visual impairments. It will also display if the browser has trouble loading an image.
Alt text should describe what is happening in the photo. Limit Alt text to about 10-20 words.
Do not include words such as "image of" or "photo of."

Abbreviations and Acronyms

West Chester University loves our acronyms, but avoid using them initially in communication. It may be used on the second reference after the context has been established.

If using an acronym, make sure to spell out the full name at least once on EVERY page where you use the name.

For many standard abbreviations, use periods so that a screen reader can read them. (e.g. U.S., a.m., p.m.)

Making a PDF accessible

To ensure that your PDF meets accessibility requirements, you will need to use Adobe Acrobat Pro/DC to check.

Make Your Accessible PDFs

Select "Tools > Action Wizard"
Select "Make Accessible"
Select "Start" and follow the prompts.

Check for Accessibility Issues

Select "Tools > Accessibility"
Select "Full Check" in the new sidebar
Select the issues that you would like to have checked
Select "Start Checking"
Right click on issues to either "Fix", "Explain Rule", or "Check Again"

Videos

If you have video content that you would like to have displayed on your webpage, please send it to the Communications and Marketing Department to review. The video must meet all requirements below to be included on the website.

Must be captioned (You can submit a script in Word with the video and we can caption in YouTube).
Must be uploaded to the Student Affairs YouTube page for the library.

Communications & Marketing