When you’re building your ladder, grab three things: last year’s yearbook, the school calendar, and your adviser-set deadlines or final submission date. That’s your roadmap to making sure every event is covered and submitted on time.
Photo from: WoodCreek Middle School
The easiest way to start? Copy last year’s ladder and update it. Portrait sections usually stay about the same, except for seniors (because, let’s face it, they always get more space). If you think you’ll need to add or cut pages, be sure to contact your rep!
Updating means making changes! Especially on your student life spreads. Don’t just copy what you did last year—those topics might feel stale. Instead, brainstorm with your staff to find fresh, relevant ideas that actually reflect this year and connect to your theme.
For example, if your theme is “Level Up,” you might cover how students are “leveling up” in sports, academics, or hobbies. If your theme is “All In,” you could highlight the ways your school community shows commitment—through spirit events, clubs, or even student jobs.
The key is to let your theme shape the stories you tell. New year, new angles, new energy!
Once you’ve nailed down what to cover, it’s time to figure out how to make it all happen—and on what timeline. Think about the order pages need to be completed, who’s responsible for each piece (assign spreads for the whole year up front so everyone knows their responsibilities), and how to set deadlines that line up with your overall ladder. A clear plan now means less stress (and fewer late nights) later.
The beauty of Balfour Vivid Print? You get the freedom to submit pages on a schedule that works for you—and in any order you like—as long as everything is in by the final deadline.
Next step: make it official! Transfer your plan to the big paper ladder that hangs in your yearbook room (you’ll find one in your 2026 yearbook kit. HERE is a digital copy, as well). Post it somewhere everyone can see—it should be the centerpiece of your space.
Keep it visual and easy to read: use colors, highlighters, and even stickers to separate sections, track page assignments, and mark progress. The more organized (and fun) it looks, the easier it’ll be for your staff to stay on track.
And finally… don’t forget to celebrate every deadline you hit. Pizza, snacks, music—whatever works. Deadlines = party time. 🎉