Specifications

With the arrival of a digital era in the graphic arts industry, a lack of agreeable standards hindered the progress of increasingly efficient methods for the creation and distribution of digital advertising. Thus, in collaboration with various industry groups such as Digital Ad Lab, SWOP and the former DDAP Association, Time Inc. advocated for the development and adherence of standards when creating digital advertising intended for print. It was decided upon that the specifications for PDF/X-1a compliant files would be suitable for all areas of the digital advertising process.

As of January 1, 2004, all ad files submitted to Time Inc. titles must be supplied in PDF/X-1a format.

Time Inc. will no longer accept native application files, such as QuarkXPress, PageMaker, etc.

Refer to the MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS chart below to view all available ad size units for this title.

Please adhere to the guidelines below when preparing files. Ensure that only one ad is included per PDF/X-1a file.

• All high-resolution images must be included. Do not embed OPI information in files.
• Images are required to be SWOP TR 005 compliant.
• CMYK or Grayscale only. Convert any Spot colors not intended to print into CMYK.
• Minimum resolution of 200 dpi.
• Screening: 133 lpi for Body & Cover.
• Apply image trapping as needed.
• Do not nest EPS files within other EPS files.
• Save images in TIFF or EPS format, with no ICC profiles embedded.

• Only use Type 1 or TrueType fonts.
• Text containing thin lines, serifs, or small lettering should be restricted to one color.
• Reverse lettering: For CMYK advertisements should be spread with the dominant color used for letter shapes, while subordinate colors are to be spread slightly, to minimize registration issues.
• Surpinting/Overprinting: When type is intended to surprint/overprint, the background should be no heavier than 30% in any color and a total of no more than 90% in all four colors.

• Maximum dimensions for file, inclusive of all marks, color bars and agency information:
  Single Page: 11” wide x 17” high
  Spread Page: 22” wide x 17” high

• Include standard Trim, Bleed & Center marks for ALL separations placed .5” outside Trim area.
• Include a 6mm CMYK strip (included in Time Inc. - Advertiser Kit) with the following values:
  5% Cyan 25% Magenta 20% Yellow 100% Black
• File should be Right Reading, Portrait Mode, and sized at 100%, with no rotations applied.

• For Full Page Ads, all content intended to print must be kept at 3/8” from Bleed edge.
• For Spread Ads, all live content should be kept at 3/8” from gutter for each side, for a total 3/4” combined.
• For safety information on Partial Ads, please refer to the MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS chart above.

• To create an acceptable PDF/X-1a file, please click on the PDF Guide link above to access specific instructions for your application.

Files must be submitted via the Time Inc. Ad Portal. Please click on the Ad Portal Guide link above to access step-by-step instructions on how to submit a file.

Southernl Living is presently using Virtual Proofing at its printing plants and is no longer accepting hard proofs from advertisers. Please click on the Virtual Proofing Guide link above to access information on submitting a Virtual Proof compliant file.

SOUTHERN LIVING magazine is perfect-bound.

Ship Materials & Proofs to:
Southern Living/Quebecor World
Mark Mortensen
2100 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35209

Phone: 205.445.6300

Send Insertion Orders Only to:
Southern Living Advertising Production Dept.
2100 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35209

Materials Extensions
Email Theresa_Mazzola@timeinc.com or call 204.445.6300

Technical Questions
Call Tara Hardee at 205.445.6826