Advertising Requirements

To insure the highest quality print advertisements possible, please adhere to the follow requirements.

We accept the following formats: Adobe InDesign 1.0 – CS2, QuarkXPress 4.1 – 6.5, Adobe Photoshop 6.0 CS2, Adobe Illustrator 8.0 CS2 (EPS Format). Please see below for details on how to prepare your files.

General Guidelines: To avoid production charges, your digital artwork dimensions must conform to our ad sizes, standards and specifications. All ads must contain a border that extends around the entire ad, except full-page tabloid ads. All ads must be sized according to the ad specifications per the advertising contract. Lines knocking out of a 4/Color background image, gradient or solid color must not be smaller than 1 point.

Artwork: All artwork must be sent as a separate file, whether embedded or placed. It must be either PDF, TIFF, EPS or Native File Format listed above. Use 4-Color (CMYK) or Grayscale (Black & White). It must be sent at 100% full physical print size at a resolution of 300 DPI for gloss publications and 200 dpi for newsprint. It can not exceed 270% total ink density for gloss and 230% for newsprint.

Fonts: All screen and printer fonts must be included. Fonts in Illustrator must be converted to OUTLINES. Photoshop text must be rendered (Not editable text). Black text must be 100% black or a shade of solid black not values of CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black, otherwise known as 4/Color). Reversed text must not be smaller than 10 points, 4/Color text, text knocking out of a 4/Color background, image, gradient or solid color, must not be smaller than 12 points.
NOTE: Ads with text or lines that do not meet these requirements will not print clearly.

Raster Ads: Pixel-based artwork, raster, must not contain text smaller than 12 points, reversed or color text smaller than 14 points, or lines thinner than 1 point. Text and lines should be added in one of the page layout applications listed above. Your ad must be in PDF, TIFF, EPS or Native File Format (listed above). And must be either 4-Color (CMYK) or Grayscale (Black & White)
NOTE: Ads with text or lines that do not meet these requirements will not print clearly.

PDF File Requirements: All fonts must be embedded. No OPI tags on images/artwork or any profiles of any kind such as ICC. Images/Artwork should be at least 300 dpi for gloss and 200 dpi for newsprint. Black type should be 100% Black/Grayscale. It is recommended that reverse type be no smaller than 10 points. Reverse type in colored boxes is not recommended. The Total Ink Density of your advertisement should not exceed 270% for gloss and 230% for newsprint. Ink density exceeding these values will over saturate causing your advertisement to appear darker than intended.

For more detailed specifications and requirements please contact MPA Media at 800-324-7758.