A programme covering the competitions in all of the 19 types of sport had to be compiled. It was decided to issue a single comprehensive daily programme so that the spectator would be able to gain an idea of all the activities which were taking place on any particular day, and at the same time not be encumbered by a considerable number of different programmes for the various events. Special programmes were issued only for fencing and yachting. It thus happened that in spite of numerous curtailments the programme at times reached the size of 76 pages. The smallest programme, that for the opening ceremony, contained 36 pages. Including the fencing and yachting editions, the total publication of all 18 programmes contained 1,020 pages, 121 tons of paper being required for the text pages and 22 tons of enamelled paper for the covers. 

The competitions at the Olympic Stadium always occupied the first place in the programmes, the events at the other Reich Sport Field scenes of competition following. As a means of providing a comprehensive review for the entire day, a general plan of the different scenes of competition with the hours of commencement and transportation connections to the auxiliary events was provided. A similar plan for the following day was printed at the back of each programme so that the spectator could make his arrangements in advance. A schedule of the competitions for each day and the following day with the hours of commencement was also included. The programme was not intended merely as a means of orientation regarding the activities on any particular day, but it also contained a report of the results arranged according to sports and a list of Olympic victors in the Games of 1936, this being augmented each day. 

Announcements concerning auxiliary presentations, exhibitions, demonstrations in the Dietrich Eckart Open-Air Theatre and special events of all kinds as well as a report about the tickets available for the following day were also included. The most important regulations governing the different forms of sport were printed in English and French for the benefit of foreign visitors.

For the publication of the programmes alone the publisher engaged a staff of 250, which was divided into day and night shifts. The type-setting and engraving department employed 50 men, the press room required 128 for printing the text pages and cover, and 90 were engaged in the bindery. The plans and illustrations as well as the covers had to be ready before the beginning of the Games so that during the heat of activity only the text pages remained to be prepared and printed. With the support of the different departments of the Reich Association for Physical Training and other organizations, this task was successfully accomplished. The extremely heavy enrolment necessitated an increase in the size of the programme, so that many plans and designs for the illustrations as well as text pages had to be revised. 

Printing errors here and there could not be avoided in view of the speed with which the programme had to be produced. Although many of the visitors undoubtedly noticed these mistakes, the fact that they received their programmes punctually every morning compensated for such shortcomings.

(Source document: Official Report 1936, page 298)