DISPLAY AD REQUIREMENTS
Please note: The only accepted ad file format is PDF/X-1a (saved to PDF/X-1A standards).
Ads should be at least 300 dpi and in CMYK color format. We do not print Pantone colors, so any spot colors should be converted to CMYK.
Full-page ads that are meant to bleed should have an extra 1/8β of bleed space around all 4 sides, and live materials (text and non-bleed images) should be at least ΒΌβ-1/2β from the trim edge. Bleed ads should incorporate crop marks.
Fractional ads that will not bleed off the page should not be submitted with bleed.
Please refer to your media kit for correct ad dimensions.
Troubleshooting Common PDF Problems - Click each item for more info:
Low Res Ad
All images must be saved at 300 dpi. If you are being asked to resubmit your ad because it is low resolution, please make the necessary adjustments to your original files (resample low-res images in Photoshop), create a new file using Acrobat Distiller's PDF/X-1a job setting and resubmit. If your original files are indeed 300 dpi, then check your PDF-creation settings to make sure you are not downsampling images.
RGB Colors
Ads are printed in 4-color process (CMYK). If you are being asked to resubmit your ad because your ad was saved in 3-color (RGB) format, convert the images to CMYK in your original file, create a new PDF file using Acrobat Distiller's PDF/X-1a job setting and resubmit.
Low Res AND RGB Colors
If you are being asked to resubmit your ad because the colors are RGB and the images are low resolution, convert the colors to CMYK in your original files, resample your images to 300 dpi in Photoshop, create a new PDF using Acrobat Distiller's PDF/X-1a job setting and resubmit. If your original files indeed meet these requirements, then check your PDF-creation settings to make sure you are not converting color, downsampling images or optimizing for web use.
Spot Colors
Usually Pantone colors automatically convert in the preflight process, but when they are used in gradients, we cannot convert them to CMYK. If your ad contains gradient spot colors, convert the colors to CMYK in your original files, create a PDF using Acrobat Distiller's PDF/X-1a job setting and resubmit the ad.
Transparency
Unflattened transparencies can create black boxes around the images. This usually occurs when PDF files are exported from Illustrator. Flatten the transparencies before you export your PDF, or export the Illustrator page as a postscript or EPS file, create the PDF in Acrobat Distiller using the PDFX-1a job setting and resubmit.
Missing Fonts
Text can reflow incorrectly if fonts are missing and not embedded in your ad file. Embed fonts in your original file, create a new PDF file using Acrobat Distiller's PDF/X-1a job setting and resubmit.
Bleed Dimensions
Full-page bleed ads need to have an extra 1/8-in. bleed around all four edges of the ad, beyond the trim size. For example, if the magazine trims to 7-7/8 in. wide by 10-3/4 in. deep, your bleed ad needs to measure 8-1/8 in. wide by 11 in. deep. Be sure to leave at least 1/4 in. of space between the page edge and any live material (text) so that it doesn't get cut off in the trim. Create your PDF file using Acrobat Distiller's PDF/X-1a job setting and resubmit.
Trim Violations
If the ad you submitted is correctly sized, but the text is too close to the trim edge and is in danger of being cut off on press, adjust the text in your original files to stay within at least 1/4 in. of space from the page edge, then create a new PDF file using Acrobat Distiller's PDF/X-1a job setting and resubmit.
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