The Specification // Active Magazine

Magazine artwork specifications

Sizes
Set Up
Imposition and Folding
Bleeds
Resolution
Colour
Ink Coverage
Type
Overprint/Knockout
Transparancies
Quark features
Photoshop features
Freehand files
Corel Files
Artwork Re-supply
Artwork Supply

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Magazine advert artwork that is not in line with these specifications may be subject to amend charges. Active magazine cannot accept responsibility for print errors where artwork has been supplied incorrectly. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the advertising department.

SIZES

Double Page Spread: w:420mm x h:285mm (plus 3mm bleed outside edges and 6mm gutter bleed)
Full Page: w:210mm x h:285mm (plus 3mm bleed all round)
1/2 page Landscape non bleed: w:188mm x h:125mm
1/2 page Portrait non bleed: w:90mm x h:256mm
1/4 Page Portrait: w:90mm x h:125mm
1/8 Page Horizontal: w:90mm x h:58mm
Classified: w:58mm x h:42mm
Classified Strip: w:188mm x h:42mm

SET UP

Files should be supplied including bleeds and crop marks. Please centre all artwork within the document page and ensure no excess artwork remains on the art board.

IMPOSITION & FOLDING

All artwork supplied that requires a particular imposition or folding must be accompanied by printed proof that is imposed and folded as required.

BLEEDS

Artwork for all adverts must include a 3mm bleed on all sides (see sizes above), all text and images should be at least a further 5mm from the crop guides. The easiest way of thinking of this if you are uncertain is to ensure the background image goes to right to the edge of the file and then all text, logos, etc are at least 8mm from the edges. To ensure correct printing an appropriate border will be added to all artwork supplied without correct bleeds.

RESOLUTION

All non-vector artwork should be supplied at a minimum of 300dpi, any artwork supplied lower than 300dpi will print blurred. EPS and Illustrator files should have their final output set to 2540. PDF’s should be set as follows; overall resolution of 2540, individual line art resolution of 1200dpi and individual bitmap resolution of 300dpi. An Active magazine alternative to Acrobat Distiller’s Press settings is available on request; this is set exactly as required to achieve best possible results.

COLOUR

Artwork should be completed and saved in CMYK process, Active magazine cannot take responsibility for any unexpected results experienced from artwork supplied in non-CMYK colour. Please delete all unused colour swatches from the colour palettes. Do not use Pantone or similar colours unless pre-arranged.

INK COVERAGE

Maximum ink coverage must be no more than 240%, we recommend a vibrant black is created with 100% Key, 40% Cyan & 20% Magenta. Any thin text and/or artwork will not appear crisp if ink coverage is supplied too high.

TYPE

All fonts used should be embedded (PDF’s) or converted to outlines (EPS, Illustrator). We can accept Mac fonts for Mac generated artwork but cannot accept any artwork that requires PC fonts. If Mac fonts are supplied please ensure all, and only the correct fonts, are supplied including both the postscript (printer) and screen fonts.

OVERPRINT / KNOCKOUT

Please ensure that no elements of the design are set to overprint unless specifically required. We cannot always check for this and it is likely to generate unexpected results.

TRANSPARENCIES

If using the transparency functions in Illustrator and Freehand generated files, transparencies must be flattened and the files then converted to PDF or bitmap (TIFF or JPEG) before supplying. Transparency in vector programs is still in its infancy and Active magazine can not accept any responsibility for any unwanted results if this is not done.

QUARK FEATURES

You should not change imposed picture sizes in Quark, the files should be re-sized in Photoshop /Illustrator and then imposed at their full size. You should also not use the text display attributes (Bold, Italic, etc) in Quark, instead use font families with suitable choices. Both these options may not work when the file is ripped and may generate unwanted results.

PHOTOSHOP FILES

Please save all Photoshop files as either uncompressed TIF files or Photoshop EPS files. All Photoshop files must be flattened prior to saving, TIF files saved with layers or EPS files containing vector information may not work correctly when the file is ripped and may generate unwanted results.

FREEHAND FILES

Please save all Freehand generated files into editable EPS files.

COREL GENERATED FILES

Please convert all files generated in Coreldraw and Corel Photo-paint to bitmap files; (TIFF or JPEG). Saving Coreldraw documents as EPS files is possible but may alter the artwork - if you wish to do this please open the EPS files in Illustrator or Freehand to check they are as expected or impose in Quark and print a postscript file and again check that they are as expected.

ARTWORK ORIGINATION & SUPPLY METHOD

We advise that artwork is generated only in the following design programs; Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand, Quark Xpress and Acrobat, Active magazine cannot accept responsibility for any unwanted results from artwork originally generated in any other package (Please see the special note above regarding Corel which it is possible to use). This is especially true of ‘office’ programs such as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, etc regardless of what options are available for final saving.

Artwork should be saved in PDF, EPS, TIFF, or JPEG format. Alternatively a Mac generated open application file can be supplied using one of the following applications (and previous versions). Please remember to include all fonts and images required (We can not except open PC files):

Adobe Photoshop 7
Adobe Illustrator 10
Quark Xpress 4.1

Files should be supplied uncompressed wherever possible; Stuffit / Drop Stuff may be used to compress files if necessary. Ideally artwork should be supplied on a CD. Artwork may only be emailed if the file size is less than 3 megabytes, please phone to pre-arrange this. ZIP discs will be returned after publishing. CDs will not be returned unless specifically requested at time of order. We also do not hold any supplied artwork. All artwork must be supplied with a colour proof, Active magazine cannot accept responsibility for any printing errors if no proof is supplied. All non bitmap artwork sent digitally must be sent with a clearly labeled JPEG proof.

RE-SUPPLYING ARTWORK

We aim to check and prepare for print all artwork as soon as it received, if you need to amend your artwork and re-supply it you must phone the office to arrange this. Active magazine cannot accept any responsibility if incorrect versions are printed when multiple versions have been supplied with no phoned instructions have been given. If the files are complex and take significant time to prepare for print a charge may be made for re-supplied files.

ARTWORK SUPPLY ADDRESS

Please post artwork to:

Active Magazine
Eventus Business Centre
Sunderland Road
Northfield Industrial Estate
Market Deeping
PE6 8FD

Click here to email us your artwork.

If you have any questions or want further information please do not hesitate to contact the studio. Click here to send an email.