Print Ad Specs & Guidelines
Standard Print Units
Unit Name
Live
Trim
Bleed
Full
6 3/4” x 10”
7 5/8” x 10 1/2”
7 7/8” x 10 3/4”
Full Spread
14 3/8” x 10
15 1/4” x 10 1/2”
15 1/2” x 10 3/4”
Strip Ad
7 1/8” x 1 1/16”
7 5/8” x 1 5/16”
7 7/8” x 1 7/16”
Half Page Horizontal
6 3/4” x 4 5/8”
–
7 7/8” x 5 3/8”
Half Page Vertical
3 3/8” x 4 5/8”
–
4” x 10 3/4”
Half Page Horizontal Spread
14 3/8” x 4 5/8”
–
15 1/2” x 5 3/8”
Quarter Page
3 3/8” x 4 5/8”
–
4” x 5 3/8”
Square Third
4 3/8” x 4 5/8”
–
5 1/8” x 5 3/8”
Mechanical Requirements
Guidebook Trim Size
7 5/8” x 10 1/2”
Gutter Safety
Between two words ensure 1/8” on each side of the centerline.
Between two letters ensure 1/16” on each side of the centerline.
Binding Method
Perfect Bound
Production Details
Density of Tone: For 4/C, maximum 300%; 2/C maximum 170% with second color not to
exceed 85% overprint.
Minimum densities: Color builds should not contain any color less than 5%. Reproduction of
tints built from less than 5% of any color is not guaranteed.
Reverse Type: When lettering reverses out of CMYK, the type should not be less than 0.007”
(1/2 point rule) at the thinnest part of a character. The dominant color should be used for
shaping the letters, with subordinate colors spread slightly to minimize registration issues.
Overprinting type: When lettering is intended to overprint, the background should be no
heavier than 25% in any color and total no more than 75% in all four colors.
Resolution: Image resolution should be sufficient (226 ppi at output size) for 133-line halftone
reproduction.
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U.S. News & World Report | Digital Ad Specs & Guidelines | Updated September 2014
Reproduction quality is at the advertiser’s risk if specifications are not met or if material is
received after the closing date. Adherence to these specifications is especially important in the
case of late or fast close material.
File & Production Requirements
U.S. News accepts digital files on CD or transmitted via FTP and email. U.S. News will also
accept files transmitted via other ad delivery services if prior arrangements have been made
with our production unit. All materials must adhere to SWOP specifications. Please review all
of the requirements before submitting your files.
File Format
PDF/X-1A format
Proofs
U.S. News does not require an advertiser to supply proofs. If contract proofs are not supplied,
U.S. News & World Report will print to SWOP densities and will not be held responsible for the
color reproduction. Proofs must arrive via delivery service or courier.
Production Contact Required
All files must include a production contact name, phone number, and email address.
Transmittal via FTP
Please call Ad Management at 202-955-2040 or email [email protected] if files are sent
via FTP. Please do not send files via FTP without contacting Ad Management. To send files via
FTP use file delivery software such as Transmit on a Mac or Filezilla on a PC.
Host: specs.usnews.com
User ID: usnspecs
Password: usnadimages
Transmittal via Email
Ad files which are under 10mb in size may be delivered via email by sending to admgmt@
usnews.com.
Transmittal via Delivery Service
The final package of files should include the PDF/X-1a file(s), contract proofs (if matching is
required), insertion order and production contact information. Please send files and proofs to:
U.S. News & World Report
1050 Thomas Jefferson St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
ATTN: Digital Production
Contact Information
If you have questions please contact Ad Management at 202-955-2040 or email
[email protected].
U.S. News & World Report | Digital Ad Specs & Guidelines | Updated September 2014