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mechanical requirements

Trim Size: 7-7/8" x 10-1/2"
Ad Size
 Non-Bleed
(W x L)		 Bleed
(W x L)		 Bleed Safety
(W x L)		 Trim
(W x L)
Spread 15-1/4" x 10" 16" x 10-3/4" 15-1/4" x 10" 15-3/4" x 10-1/2"
Page 7-3/8" x 10" 8-1/8" x 10-3/4" 7-3/8" x 10" 7-7/8" x 10-1/2"
2/3 Page Vertical 4-3/4" x 10" 5-1/4" x 10-3/4" 4-1/2" x 10" 5" x 10-1/2"
2/3 Page Horizontal 7-1/4" x 6-1/2" 8-1/8" x 7" 7-1/4" x 6-1/4" 7-7/8" x 6-3/4"
Digest 4-3/4" x 7" 5-1/4" x 7-1/2" 4-1/2" x 6-3/4" 5" x 7-1/4"
Island* 4-3/8" x 6-1/2" Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable
1/2 Page Vertical 3-1/2" x 10" 4-1/8" x 10-3/4" 3-3/8" x 10" 3-7/8" x 10-1/2"
1/2 Page Horizontal 7-1/4" x 4-7/8" 8-1/8" x 5-3/8" 7-1/4" x 4-5/8" 7-7/8" x 5-1/8"
1/2 Page Horizontal Spread 15-1/4" x 4-7/8" 16" x 5-3/8" 15-1/4" x 4-5/8" 15-3/4" x 5-1/8"
1/4 Page 3-1/2" x 4-7/8" 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" 3-3/8" x 4-5/8" 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"
1/3 Page Vertical 2-1/4" x 10" 2-7/8" x 10-3/4" 2-1/8" x 10" 2-5/8" x 10-1/2"
1/3 Page Square 4-3/4" x 4-7/8" 5-1/4" x 5-3/8" 4-1/2" x 4-5/8" 5" x 5-1/8"
1/6 Page Vertical 2-1/4" x 4-7/8" Not Available    
1/6 Page Horizontal 4-5/8" x 2-3/8" Not Available    
1/12 Page 2-1/4" x 2-3/8" Not Available    

*Island Ads need advance notice to accommodate.

digital advertising specifications

For Production Questions & Extensions contact:
Ryan Petersen at 515.284.2869-phone, 515-284-2709-fax or email - ryan.petersen@meredith.com

Send Materials to: Meredith Image Center
American Baby (Issue/Date)
1716 Locust Street
Attn: Prelim LS013
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: 515-284-3000

File Formats:
  • Preferred format:
    • PDF/X1A
  • Acceptable format:
    • PDF
  • Instructions and tools required to create a PDF are available:
    • Please contact your Production Traffic Supervisor for details.
File Submission Site:
  • Meredith Ad Express:
    http://meredithadexpress.vioopen.com
  • For 24-hour Ad Express assistance call
    1.800.823.7363 (1.800.T.ADSEND)
    or email meredithhelp@adsend.com
Resolution Requirements:
  • Vector (PDF/X-1A, PDF)
  • 300 dpi/2400 dpi for Line Work
Accepted Media:
  • CD-Rom (created using ISO-9660)
  • DVD (created using ISO-9660)

Live Matter Requirements:

  • Set the offset setting to .167 when creating PDF/X-1A files so the standard trim, bleed and center marks are included but not in the “live” image area or “bleed” area.
  • Single page ads should be built to 100% trim size with the marks & bleeds option turned on. If ad bleeds, extend bleed a minimum of 1⁄8" beyond trim. Keep live matter a minimum of ¼" inside trim
    dimensions.
  • Partial page ads should be built to 100% of their actual trim size with the marks & bleeds option turned on. If ad bleeds, extend bleed a minimum of 1⁄8" beyond trim. Keep live matter a minimum of ¼" inside trim dimensions.
  • All non-bleed ads should be built to 100% of the non-bleed specs.
  • All bleed ads: Keep live matter a minimum of 3⁄8" inside the bleed dimensions on all four sides.
  • Spread ads: keep live matter ¼" away from each side of center or ½" total across the gutter. For spread ads with a headline crossing over the gutter, contact production department if the visual spacing between words or letter is critical.

Note:

New files are required for ads that need type changes such as key-codes, addresses, phone numbers, etc. A corresponding color contract proof is required to show these changes.

File Specifications/General Guidelines:

  • Do not apply style attributes to basic fonts.
  • Include and/or embed all fonts, images/scans, logos and artwork.
  • Do not nest PDF files in other PDF files.
  • Do not nest EPS files in other EPS files.
  • Use of illegal characters in file names will not be accepted (example: &, /, -, ~, %, (, ), #, ‘, $, etc or anything after the extension).
  • Limit File Name to 24 characters INCLUDING the extension.
  • On 4/C ads, Pantone colors, other spot colors, and non-CMYK elements must be converted to CMYK.
  • Four color solids should not exceed SWOP density of 300%.
  • To create a rich black use 100% K and 60% C.
  • Color type, reverse type and/or line art should not be less than .007 at the thinnest part of the character. Single color type should be no less than .004 at the thinnest part of the character.
  • To avoid low-res (soft type) or 4/C black type, type should be built in Quark, InDesign or Illustrator and not within Photoshop.
  • Reverse type should use a dominant color (usually 70% or more) for the shape of the letters. Where practical and not detrimental to the appearance of the job, make the type in the subordinate colors slightly larger to minimize register problems on the production press.
  • All supplied materials intended for use in Meredith publications must be properly trapped and, when possible, image trapping should be represented in the accompanying SWOP proofs.

Proof Requirements:

Advertiser understands that if they do not supply a SWOP certified color proof with color bars or if they supply a color laser proof that Meredith cannot guarantee a color match to the supplied proof and will print to the supplied file.

  • Supply a minimum of THREE composite SWOP certified proofs for color.
  • Proofs must be made from supplied file.
  • Proofs must be 100% of size.
  • Proofs must be SWOP certified.
  • For an up-to-date list of SWOP approved color proofs, please visit: www.swop.org.
  • Color bars are required on all analog or digital halftone proofs. Color bars should include:
    • SWOP color bars at 100% size as found on SWOP website (above).
    • A solid and 25%, 50% and 75% tints of each process color.
    • Solid overprints.
    • At least one gray balance patch (cyan-50%, magenta and yellow 39%).
    • Two-color overprints at 25%, 50% and 75% are also recommended.
    • The color bar can be a GCA/GATF Proof Comparator, or a GATF/SWOP Proofing Bar or digital equivalent.
  • Proofs must indicate the proofing product or system used, prepress supplier contacts and information showing conformance to the manufacturer’s Application Data.
  • Ad should be proofed on Publication grade stock.
  • Proofing systems requiring line screen:
    • Publication Grade Stock use 133 line
    • Commercial Grade Stock use 150 line.

If the above guidelines are not met, the color and quality of print reproduction may vary. Proofs that are not SWOP compliant will be referenced for content only. Meredith will try to achieve a reasonable match to the supplied proof.

Retention of Materials:

Materials for all processes will be held for one year then destroyed, unless otherwise notified.

Meredith Corporation is a member of the DDAP Association and subscribes to and supports all digital exchange standards developed by CGATS/SC6, the accredited graphic arts standards committee.

Meredith Corporation is a member of the DDAP Association and subscribers to and supports all digital exchange standards developed by CGATS/SC6, the accredited graphic arts standards committee.