Publishing a season’s worth of program books is a massive undertaking for performing arts organizations. Between design, proofing, last-minute edits, and delivery logistics, the process can consume hundreds of hours. In 2025, organizations are looking for smarter, more efficient ways to handle program book publishing—without compromising quality or audience experience.
The good news? There’s a better way. Here’s how you can streamline your program book production while saving time, money, and resources.
1. Rethink the Process—What’s Holding You Back?
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Yet many arts organizations continue to struggle with the same time-consuming issues season after season:
- Managing design, layout, and print production in-house.
- Constant back-and-forth proofing cycles.
- Dealing with print delays, distribution headaches, and unexpected costs.
The key to making program book publishing easier is eliminating inefficiencies and focusing on what actually enhances the patron experience.
2. Consider a Hybrid Approach
The future of program books isn’t print or digital—it’s both. By reducing print quantities and shifting expanded content to digital, you save on production costs while meeting audience expectations.
- Print programs offer a timeless keepsake for traditional patrons.
- Digital programs allow for real-time updates, clickable content, audience engagement, and marketing opportunities.
- QR codes and SMS delivery make accessing digital programs seamless—no app downloads required.
This hybrid model cuts costs while enhancing accessibility and engagement.
3. Outsource to Experts and Reclaim Your Time
Managing program books in-house means spending countless hours juggling design, proofing, and logistics. But what if your team could get all that time back?
With Onstage Managed Program Book Services, everything—from layout and production to delivery—is handled for you. We provide:
- Custom-designed print and digital programs tailored to your needs.
- Frictionless digital tools, including SMS delivery and audience analytics.
- Time-saving workflows so your team can focus on performances, not publishing.
Conclusion: A Smarter Way Forward
2025 is the year to rethink your program book strategy, and stop the insanity. By embracing a hybrid approach and outsourcing time-intensive tasks, your organization can focus on delivering world-class performances while keeping program book publishing simple and stress-free.
Ready to make 2025 your easiest season yet? Let’s talk. Get a custom quote today!
