Ad Material Specification Guide

File Specifications

Best Magazine produces its magazine using CTP technology and requires that its' clients supply their ads in specific file formats.

  1. Listed below are the CTPFile types accepted:
    • PDF/X-1a

    2. *Please Include with files all FONTS and SUPPORTING IMAGES used in ad.

    Storage Media:
    CD-ROM, DVD, 100 MB ZIP

Color Guides

Best Magazine requires that all submitted digital files come with a digital proof that follows SWOP Standards, These SWOP Specs and others can be found at http://www.swop.org/certification.html

Acceptable SWOP Digital Proofs:

Disclaimer: Any proofs that are not made from the above SWOP devises or other non-pre-qualified proofing device are considered unreliable for color reproduction. Best Magazine will not support color reproduction concerns when using these proofs on press.

Magazine Ad Sizes

Full Page

Full Page Ad
Trim Size: 8 x 101⁄2
Bleed: 81⁄2 x 11
Safety: 71⁄2 x 10

Spread

Two Page Spread
Trim Size: 16 x 101⁄2
Bleed: 16 1⁄2 x 11
Safety: 151⁄2 x 10
(Spread needs to be built as two single pages)
Binding: Perfect.
Key numbers: Published at the advertiser's risk, unless they are part of the furnished file and are positioned at least 3⁄8" from all trim edges.

Ship Ads Materials to:
Mark Malone
Magazine Production Magazine
220 25th Ave. North Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37203
mark.malone [at] athlonsports [dot] com

Insert Card Specifications


Blow — In Cards

Minimum Size 3 1⁄2" x 5"
Maximum Size 4 1⁄4" x 6"

The United States Post office requires that the card be proportional and you may increase or decrease a card accordingly.

We recommend 70# postcard stock. Post card stock must meet postal regulations of 0.007 minimum thickness. Please send us a mock up of your card and proposed stock prior to their printing.

Placement is not guaranteed for blow-in cards. Printer reserves the right to place this type of card in a position that will not affect the mechanical operation of the bindery machine.

The percentage of insertion is not guaranteed with any card. Printer makes every effort to maintain a high percentage of insertion, but cannot guarantee 100%.

Insert — Cards

Flat Card - Perfect Binders:

Minimum Size 5" x 3 1⁄2"
Maximum Size Untrimmed Signature Size

NOTE: These are guidelines only. To prevent possible bindery problems, it is recommended that a folded dummy be submitted for Printer's approval prior to the printing of all cards. Deviation of these specifications could result in additional charges.

Insert Cards should be sent directly to the printer. The cartons must have identification marked on them with a sample of the insert taped to the outside of each carton. They should all be marked with:

ATTENTION: BEST MAGAZINE — EDITIONS:
Listed for Insertion with:
August, November, Febuary, May

Packing slips must show quantity being shipped and insertions information to the attention of

RR Donnelley & Sons Company
Joe Harris, Senior Customer Account Manager
120 Donnelley Drive
Glasgow, Kentucky 42141-9799
Telephone: (270) 678-0342

A sample must also be sent to Publisher for review.

Insert Packing Specifications

  1. Packing

    Bind-in cards, booklets, inserts and gatefolds shall be brick stacked on skids or pallets using 5" or 6" lifts. All unit lifts shall face one way. Compensation within lifts will only be allowed to ensure the proper stacking of tipped squareness of the lift and prevent undue curling of the product. Skids or pallets are to be wrapped and banded or shrink wrapped securely for shipment.

    A packing slip must accompany each shipment, describing the entire shipment (all loads covered on the bill of lading) by load including:

    1. Purchaser name
    2. Purchase order number
    3. Description of each load
      1. Item(s) number
      2. Package count (bundles, cartons)
      3. Unit count (sheets, inserts, pieces)

  2. Skids

    Maximum load size: 40" wide, 48" long, 48" high, runners 2"x 8" parallel to length of skid. Runners shall be placed to allow 27-1⁄2" for fork entry.

  3. Pallets

    4. Same as maximum size of skids. Fork entry shall be at least 11" wide. Entry shall be into width of the pallet. Clearance for forks shall be at least 3-3⁄4" between stringers and deck boards.

  4. Cartons

    Cartons shall be used when the nature of card, booklet or insert does not permit brick stacking, or when additional protection of the furnished material is deemed necessary. Cartons are to be placed on skids (maximum size shown above). Maximum carton size is 15" wide, 24" long, 10" deep.

  5. Receiving

    Material is to be delivered to Printer's Glasgow Receiving Dock between the hours of 7:00am and 3:00pm on weekdays only. If material is "rush" and cannot be delivered between these hours, special arrangements can be made through Customer Service.

    All shipments must be prepaid. Collect shipments will be rejected a t Printer's Receiving Docks.

  6. Identification>

    Each skid shall be clearly marked with the following:

    1. Publication title
    2. Date of issue in which insert is to be used.
    3. Skid count (key number and quantity in each carton, if cartons are used)
    4. Gross load weight
    5. Load tare
    6. Net load weight
    7. Sample of contents affixed to four sides of skids for identification
    8. If inserts different keys each different key should be packaged separately. No two keys should on the same skid or in the same box.

    Address as follows:

    RR Donnelley & Sons Company
    120 Donnelley Drive
    Glasgow, Kentucky 42141-9799
    Attention: Joe Harris

    An envelope containing samples should be affixed to the outside of container, so Printer need not disturb the packing for future handling.

    Deviation from the above specifications may cause extra handling which will result in extra charges to Publisher.

    All material shall be packed on non-returnable skids or pallets.

    Printer will not accept responsibility for counts of furnished materials unless the specifications listed above are followed.

  7. Other Provisions

    Printer shall be allowed to promptly destroy all remaining quantities of furnished inserts upon confirmation that an adequate delivery of the print order has been made. Publisher reserves the right to temporarily store remaining quantities of a particular furnished insert if Printer is notified in writing prior to completion of binding.

    Printer reserves the right to apply a storage charge for any furnished inserts which are received more than thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled start of binding. This provision does not apply to cards or envelopes used by Publisher to promote subscriptions to the titles covered by this Agreement.

    Publisher agrees to instruct all suppliers of furnished inserts to follow the packing and shipping instructions as outlined above.

FTP — File Transfer

Below is the instruction for uploading digital files at Athlon's FTP site.

There are two ways to access the FTP site:

  1. Web Browser Based (HTTP): Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc.
  2. FTP Client Applications: WS_FTP (Windows Users) or Fetch (Mac Users)

Web Browser URL: http://Corpftp.athlonsports.com/

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Click on the "Access Client FTP Upload Site"

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Once Login is clicked a window will appear asking for a User Name and Password.

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You then type in the following:

User ID: getfile
Password: Production2k

Case Sensitive

We DO NOT allow anonymous access!

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You then drag the files you are uploading over to the FTP page and uploading ensues. Upload to the bestmagazine directory

Mac Users: Mac users cannot access the site via the HTTP method, they must use the FTP application method. Use the Fetch 4.0 link to download the FTP software.