UKRI Creative Services (JRS)

We are a team of creative specialists. We have dedicated account managers who will liaise with you on your project from start to finish. Our experienced team of designers are familiar with the UKRI brand and can create something professional and unique for your needs. Our skilled production team can produce a stunning array of products from banners and brochures to building signage and display boards - and most things in between.

Together we have a broad range of creative skills, so please get in touch to find out how we can help you with your next project.

When to contact us

We appreciate that sometimes our clients will only contact us only when they're ready to commission our services.

However, engaging with us in the early stages, even before you're ready to brief us, will be beneficial for you and us - particularly on complex and important projects.

Having early knowledge of a project will give us the opportunity to explore possible solutions with you, resulting in the best creative solution. We can often make suggestions that you may not have considered, and we can also help you to develop the design brief so that we have a much better chance of getting the solution right the first time round.

It's also really useful for us to know about unmoveable dates (such as exhibitions or conferences, or sign-off meetings) in advance, so we can work to specific deadlines if needed.

How to brief us

We like to keep things straightforward, and for that reason our work request form (PDF, 3MB) has been designed to capture the essential information only. In many cases this will be enough for us to start and complete a project, but for more complex projects you will almost certainly be contacted by one of our account managers to discuss the brief in more detail.

For most jobs we'll need information on branding, images and supplied content.

For more complex projects we may also ask for information on the context and background to your project, the challenges, aims and objectives, key messages, audience information, editorial requirements, media and format and plans for distribution.

Don't know where to start? Don't worry, we're here to help - get in touch and let's have a chat.

Our clients often ask us how long certain requests will take to turnaround. Below we have provided an indicative guide for some of our most common requests, which we hope will be helpful in your own timeline planning.

However, in all cases and for both design and print projects, time from submission to completion can vary depending on capacity, job size and complexity.

For design work, this will also depend on response times from our clients and the number of amends in each proof round. In such cases the delivery time can only be confirmed once we have discussed the project in more detail with you.

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Design and creative requests

We aim to acknowledge your request within 2-3 working days (usually much sooner). We prefer to discuss more complex requests with our clients first, so these may need longer lead in times before the job is passed to the design team. Please allow for this in your scheduling.

We generally allow for three rounds of proofs/changes in the guidance below - time for completion is likely to be considerably longer the more changes or iterations there are.

Indicative turnaround time for design and creative requests

Once all content is received and the creative brief is received by the design team, the following gives an indication of expected turnaround time:

Small publication

• 3+ working days for first draft (proof)
• 2+ working days for second draft
• 2+ working days for final draft

Large publication

• 8+ working days for first draft (proof)
• 3+ working days for second draft
• 3+ working days for final draft

Social media assets

• 3+ working days for first proof/visual

Other creative services

Projects involving illustrations, infographics, copywriting, proofreading or more in-depth subject research may require additional time. Please ask.

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Videos, animations, creative campaigns, digital publications and exhibitions (generally more complex projects)

Indicative turnaround time for complex requests

Every job is different. Please contact us as soon as you know about the request and we will confirm turnaround times once we have discussed the brief with you.

We would recommend allowing a minimum of two to three weeks lead in for these kinds of projects.

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Branding and identity

If you are considering a new logo or identity, these projects must always be discussed and agreed with the Brand team (brand@ukri.org) first.

Please ensure that you allow time for this to happen before approaching Creative Services.

Indicative turnaround time for branding requests

Once agreed with the URKI brand team, we would recommend allowing a minimum of two to three weeks lead in for these kinds of projects.

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Print and production requests

We aim to acknowledge your request the same working day. We prefer to discuss more complex requests with our clients first, so these may need longer lead in times before the job is passed to the production team. Please allow for this in your scheduling.

Indicative turnaround time for production requests

Production time is dependent on the size and complexity of project. We will always aim to deliver in the shortest time possible. From receipt of the print-ready artwork file, please allow for the following:

Small publication

3+ working days

Large publication

5+ working days

Simple large format print

For example posters, pull-up banners and pop-up stands
3+ working days

Complex large format print

For example exhibitions, visitor centres and hoardings
5+ working days

Finishing

Items that involve hand finishing or setting may need additional time. We will include this time in our response to your request.

Dispatch

Please allow for dispatch times if necessary. Materials to be posted will also need a full postal address and delivery contact. These can be dispatched same day (before 3pm) or overnight for most UK locations.

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Print requests via online store (ERIC)

You can also order a range of print material - including business cards, event name badges, name plates and pull-up banners - through our online store (ERIC).

Indicative turnaround time for online print requests

Usually these products are available to collect the same day or next working day, but please allow 2-3 working days for most orders.

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Merchandise requests

We work with several trusted suppliers to get the best products at the best prices. Merchandise includes things like pens, notebooks, bags, lanyards, umbrellas and other items that promote your brand or campaign.

Please contact us with details of your request. We will confirm turnaround times once we have discussed this with you and have estimates from our suppliers.

Indicative turnaround time for merchandise requests

We recommend allowing at least 7-10 working days for most orders, once artwork is approved.