diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 467003b6a4..438b5c9d70 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ Note: We're not following semantic versioning yet, we are going to talk about th
 - Fix review application templates to give them the correct HTML structure.
   ([PR #742](https://github.com/alphagov/govuk-frontend/pull/742))
 
+- Improve release steps
+  ([PR #745](https://github.com/alphagov/govuk-frontend/pull/745))
+
 ## 0.0.31-alpha (Breaking release)
 
 💥 Breaking changes:
diff --git a/docs/publishing.md b/docs/publishing.md
index 64231951ac..689920cac8 100644
--- a/docs/publishing.md
+++ b/docs/publishing.md
@@ -2,19 +2,21 @@
 
 1. Checkout **master** and pull latest changes.
 
-2. Run `npm install` to ensure you have the latest dependencies installed.
+2. Run `nvm use` to ensure you are using the right version of Node.js and npm.
 
-3. Create and checkout a new branch (`release-[version-number]`).
+3. Run `npm install` to ensure you have the latest dependencies installed.
 
-4. Update [`CHANGELOG.md`](../CHANGELOG.md) "Unreleased" heading with the new version number.
+4. Create and checkout a new branch (`release-[version-number]`).
+
+5. Update [`CHANGELOG.md`](../CHANGELOG.md) "Unreleased" heading with the new version number.
    This should be incremented based on [Semantic versioning](https://semver.org/) from the unreleased changes listed.
 
-5. Update [`package/package.json`](../package/package.json) version with the new version number.
+6. Update [`package/package.json`](../package/package.json) version with the new version number.
 This should be incremented based on [Semantic versioning](https://semver.org/) from the unreleased changes listed.
 
-6. Save the changes. Do not commit.
+7. Save the changes. Do not commit.
 
-7. Run `npm run pre-release`.
+8. Run `npm run pre-release`.
 
 This will:
   - copy files from `src/` to `package/` and run tests
@@ -22,7 +24,7 @@ This will:
   - build "govuk-frontend" Sass and JavaScript files into `dist/`
   - commit all changes and push the branch to remote
 
-8. (Optional) Test in [GOV.UK Design System](git@github.com:alphagov/govuk-design-system.git)
+9. (Optional) Test in [GOV.UK Design System](git@github.com:alphagov/govuk-design-system.git)
 
   If you want to test your changes work correctly when used in the GOV.UK Design System you can use [npm link](https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/link) to test before publishing.
 
@@ -39,16 +41,16 @@ This will:
   npm unlink ../govuk-frontend/package/
   ```
 
-9. Create a pull request and copy the changelog text.
+10. Create a pull request and copy the changelog text.
    When reviewing the PR, check that the version numbers have been updated and that the compiled assets use this version number.
 
-10. Once the pull request is approved, merge to **master**.
+11. Once the pull request is approved, merge to **master**.
 
-11. Checkout **master** and pull the latest changes.
+12. Checkout **master** and pull the latest changes.
 
-12. Log into npm, using team [credentials](https://github.com/alphagov/design-system-team-credentials/tree/master/npm/govuk-patterns-and-tools).
+13. Log into npm, using team [credentials](https://github.com/alphagov/design-system-team-credentials/tree/master/npm/govuk-patterns-and-tools).
 
-13. Run `npm run release`.
+14. Run `npm run release`.
 
   This will:
   - check that you're logged in to npm as the correct user.
@@ -57,19 +59,21 @@ This will:
   - push the tag to remote origin
   - create a zip file of the `dist` directory
 
-14. Create a release in the [Github interface](https://github.com/alphagov/govuk-frontend/releases/new)
+15. Create a release in the [Github interface](https://github.com/alphagov/govuk-frontend/releases/new)
   - select the latest tag version
   - set "GOV.UK Frontend release v[version-number]" as the title
   - add release notes from changelog
-  - attach the generated ZIP that is located at the root of the project
+  - add a summary of highlights (this will be used when sending comms out)
+  - attach the generated ZIP that has been generated at the root of the project
+  - mark the release as a pre-release
   - publish release
 
-15. Log out from npm
+16. Log out from npm
 ```bash
 npm logout
 ```
-16. Move Trello cards from "Next Frontend release" column to "Done".
+17. Move Trello cards from "Next Frontend release" column to "Done".
 
-17. Add Trello cards to "This Sprint" column for
+18. Add Trello cards to "This Sprint" column for
   - Update the GOV.UK Design System to use the latest release
   - Update the GOV.UK Prototype Kit to use the latest release
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 758bdb12f8..86df1b6369 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -15100,7 +15100,7 @@
     "send": {
       "version": "0.16.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/send/-/send-0.16.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-ElCLJdJIKPk6ux/Hocwhk7NFHpI3pVm/IZOYWqUmoxcgeyM+MpxHHKhb8QmlJDX1pU6WrgaHBkVNm73Sv7uc2A==",
+      "integrity": "sha1-pw4coh0TgsEdDZ9iMd6ygQgNerM=",
       "dev": true,
       "requires": {
         "debug": "2.6.9",
@@ -15127,7 +15127,7 @@
     "serve-static": {
       "version": "1.13.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/serve-static/-/serve-static-1.13.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-hSMUZrsPa/I09VYFJwa627JJkNs0NrfL1Uzuup+GqHfToR2KcsXFymXSV90hoyw3M+msjFuQly+YzIH/q0MGlQ==",
+      "integrity": "sha1-TFfVNASnYdjy58HooYpH2/J4pxk=",
       "dev": true,
       "requires": {
         "encodeurl": "1.0.2",