Publications requirements

On this page

• Responsibility for publishing
• Volume printing
• On-demand printing
• Co-publications
• Use of third-party material
• International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN)
• International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN)
• Electronic publications
• Related links

Responsibility for publishing

Publishing is a communications activity that falls under the responsibility of heads of communications. This guidance supports the requirements in the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity, Directive on the Management of Communications and Procedures for Publishing.

Volume printing

Volume printing, also known as a "print run", is a predetermined number of communications products that require warehousing. Volume printing should only be undertaken under specific situations.

The situations, or exceptions, where volume printing is permitted are meant to give departments the flexibility needed to communicate with target audiences in print where required, for example, by legislation or in the case of a health or safety issue.

Regularly reviewing warehoused printed publications and other communications is recommended in order to limit warehousing costs.

The head of communications approves all communications products, promotional items and volume printing even though publishing activities can be carried out by a variety of functional areas within a department.

Heads of communications are responsible for approving volume printing and the development, production, acquisition, distribution and use of promotional items under Requirements 6.2.1 and 6.3.3 of the Procedures for Publishing. Approval of the Minister is required when volume printing does not align with one of the situations outlined in requirement 6.3.3 of the Procedures for Publishing.

On-demand printing

On-demand printing refers to the printing of communications products whether using in-house printers or contracted printing firms, when requested by an individual or as the need arises. On-demand printing does not require warehousing.

Departments are required to limit volume printing and to ensure that on-demand printing is carried out by default using the most economical printing option.

Co-publications

Co-publications are products created in collaboration with another government or published by a third-party such as a private sector publisher or a university press and selected through a competitive process.

The Procedures for Publishing apply to all co-publications except when a third-party incurs all costs, including distribution, printing and warehousing costs.

Co-publications are included in the index of publications maintained by departments and provided to Public Services and Procurement Canada and Library and Archives Canada.

Use of third-party material

Departments must obtain permissions prior to using third-party material (e.g. texts, photographs, videos, etc.) to protect the Government from any potential legal or ethical issue.

Departments must not publish advertisements from private-sector or non-government entities including symbols, logos or other information that could be perceived as an endorsement by the public on government communications products or vehicles.

International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN)

An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit number that is applied to publications published by the Government of Canada. Book-like products include books, pamphlets, educational kits, microforms, CD-ROMs and other print, digital and electronic publications. Publishers, booksellers, libraries and others in the book industry use ISBNs to identify, locate, track and manage publications. As well, many retailers will not stock an item that doesn’t include an ISBN.

An ISBN generally appears on the verso of the title page, following the Crown Copyright statement and the Government of Canada Catalogue Number. For example:

However if this is not possible or appropriate, the most important factor is that the ISBN appears accurately and legibly in the publication. For example an ISBN can appear on the face of a CD-ROM or on the back of a kit or folder.

• Departments can obtain an ISBN from the Depository Services Program at Public Services and Procurement Canada.

International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN)

An International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is an 8-digit number used to identify serial publications, such as periodicals, newspapers, annuals, journals and monographic series, published by the Government of Canada. The ISSN provides an efficient and economical method of communication between publishers and suppliers. ISSNs are used in libraries to identify titles, order and check in serials, and claim missing issues.

The ISSN should appear in a prominent position on all issues of a serial publication. For serials distributed on the Web, the ISSN should appear on the first screen of the item. For printed serials, the preferred location for the ISSN is the top right-hand corner of the front cover. The number should always be preceded by the letters ISSN.

• Departments can obtain an ISSN from Library and Archives Canada.

Electronic publications

The Publishing and Depository Services Directorate at Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is responsible for managing electronic access to Government of Canada publications provided by departments and agencies.

PSPC no longer produces, prints, distributes or warehouses tangible publications such as printed books, DVDs or CDs, and videos and no longer accepts tangible publications from departments and agencies for distribution to depository libraries.

Related links

• Procedures for Publishing
• Policy on Communications and Federal Identity
• Directive on the Management of Communications