THE GLOBE AND MAIL
NEWSPAPER
SPECIFICATIONS
Quick
Reference
Guide
Effective October 1st, 2010
Quick Reference Guide
http://adforward.globeandmail.ca
Specifications subject to change Visit our website for updates
For further advertising information please visit globelink.ca
Updated August 2010
REDESIGN: 2010
IMPORTANT SPECIFICATION INFORMATION
Effective October 1st, The Globe and Mail will be printed using a combination
of coldset and heatset/UV offset printing on premium paper.
The Globe and Mail has traditionally been printed using coldset offset printing,
where the ink is allowed to dry naturally on the newsprint paper. Heatset/UV (premium paper)
offset printing dries the ink with forced-air heat or with UV light to cure the inks.
This book contains all necessary information to create an ad for reproduction
in The Globe and Mail newspaper and is applicable for ads printed using both the traditional
coldset and heatset (premium paper) methods. These specifications are vital for creating
and submitting an ad and must be followed to ensure adequate time to process the material
and ensure quality reproduction in the newspaper.
These specifications will change after October 1st 2010 and may include separate specifications
for creating an ad for coldset and heatset (premium paper) each.
It is the responsibility of the client to understand and adhere to all specifications for the
proper creation and submission of ad material.
For the latest version of this specification book, please visit our website:
http://adforward.globeandmail.ca
2
Quick Reference Guide
http://adforward.globeandmail.ca
Specifications subject to change Visit our website for updates
For further advertising information please visit globelink.ca
Updated August 2010
ISO STANDARDS
The recommended standards found within this book are based on ISO quality standards.
ISO stands for the International Standards Organization who is responsible for setting
international quality standards, accepted and followed worldwide.
Following these standards allows for defined process control enabling correct and
superior reproduction. Achieving this high level of quality means higher efficiency,
controlled and improved reproduction, and greater customer satisfaction.
3
Quick Reference Guide
http://adforward.globeandmail.ca
Specifications subject to change Visit our website for updates
For further advertising information please visit globelink.ca
Updated August 2010
Quick Reference Guide
While all information contained in this spec book is vital, use this Quick Reference Guide for easy
access to the most fundamental information.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the designer/client to understand and adhere to all newspaper
specifications for the creation and submission of newspaper ad material.
For the complete Newspaper Production Specifications Book, please visit adforward.globeandmail.ca
COLUMNS
WIDTH (inches)
CONVERSION
CALCULATION
1
0.84 in
inches to mm
inches x 25.4
2
1.85 in
mm to inches
mm ÷ 25.4
3
2.85 in
inches to picas
inches x 6
4
3.85 in
picas to inches
picas ÷ 6
5
4.86 in
mm to picas
mm x 0.236
6
5.86 in
picas to mm
picas x 4.23
7
6.87 in
agates to inches
agates ÷ 14
8
7.87 in
inches to agates
inches x 14
9
8.87 in
10
9.88 in
Conversion Chart
Advertising Column Sizes
Advertising Column Sizes & Conversion Chart
Material Deadlines
TYPE OF AD
DEADLINE
Newspaper Ad
(material deadline):
Colour Ad
Black and White Ad
4 business days prior to date section prints
2 business days prior to date section prints
Section Wrap:
Booking Deadline
Material Deadline
6 weeks prior to date section prints
1 week prior to date section prints
Pubset Ads:
Classified Semi-display ads
and Display ads:
Pickup with Changes:
3 business days prior to date section prints
2 business days prior to date section prints
NOTE: Date section prints may differ from publication date depending on the section.
4
Quick Reference Guide
http://adforward.globeandmail.ca
Specifications subject to change Visit our website for updates
For further advertising information please visit globelink.ca
Updated August 2010
Material Submission & Proofs
Material Submission
Preferred Format:
PDF or EPS
266 dpi *NEW*
With fonts fully embedded or outlined.
In CMYK or Grayscale colour mode only.
Preferred Method
of Submission
AdForward
adforward.globeandmail.ca
Alternative Method
for Submission
FTP site:
adftp.globeandmail.ca
username: anonymous
password: (leave blank)
directory: advertising-incoming
Contacts:
Advertising Inquiries
416.585.5111
tol free: 1.866.999.9237
Ad Services
Phone: 416.585.5721
Fax: 416.585.5069
Email: adservices@globeandmail.com
NOTE: Instructional PDFs and Distiller job options can be downloaded at adforward.globeandmail.ca.
A PDF can be created by distilling an EPS or PS file using Adobe Distiller or Saving/Exporting a PDF from the
software program the ad was created in. Saving a PDF from QuarkXPress is not recommended.
Proofs
All colours ads should be accompanied by a colour proof that simulates the intended colour reproduction.
Without a colour proof, The Globe and Mail cannot ensure that the colour reproduces as the client intended
or that it was prepared properly for newspaper reproduction.
If a hard copy proof is supplied indicating the intended colour, The Globe and Mail will make colour
adjustments if necessary in order to match the client’s supplied proof. The exception to this is if the proof is
clearly labeled For Content Only or Not for Colour.
A printout or fax will be used to check content and layout only. Soft Proofs/ will not be used for colour.
5
Quick Reference Guide
http://adforward.globeandmail.ca
Specifications subject to change Visit our website for updates
For further advertising information please visit globelink.ca
Updated August 2010
Software Specifications
Supported
Unsupported
Acrobat Distiller
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
QuarkXPress
Adobe PageMaker
CorelDRAW
Macromedia Freehand
Microsoft Powerpoint
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Word
Word Perfect
NOTE: If both a PDF and native files are submitted, the PDF will automatically be used
unless the PDF is deemed incorrect for printing.
Ad material should be created in a page layout program such as Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress, or in a design
program such as Adobe Illustrator. Material should not be created as all one image or in an image manipulation
program such as Adobe Photoshop.
Even though Adobe Photoshop is a supported software, it should be used for image manipulation only. If a
Photoshop file is used, it must be submitted unflattened with supporting fonts included, otherwise the text will
appear fuzzy with jagged edges, limiting the quality of the reproduction.
Ad Sizing & Layout
All ads should be supplied at 100% booked size. The ad size given is the final trim size. No bleed allowance is
necessary. No trapping (chokes or spreads) should be used.
Doubletruck Ad Considerations
As a result of the printing process, setoff will occur along the gutter of a doubletruck ad. As a result, it is
recommended that text and vital images be kept outside of the gutter space. To allot for this, approximately 1
inch of space should be left free in the center of the ad.
Ad Specifications
Colour Modes
Colour ads
Must be supplied in CMYK colour mode
Black and White/
Grayscale ads
Must be supplied in Grayscale colour mode
Ads not supplied in the appropriate colour mode will be converted without notice. The Globe and Mail is not
responsible for any shifts in colour or shifts in grayscale tonal values as a result of having to convert to the
appropriate colour mode.
Total Ink Density
Maximum Total Ink Density
6
240%
Quick Reference Guide
http://adforward.globeandmail.ca
Specifications subject to change Visit our website for updates
For further advertising information please visit globelink.ca
Updated August 2010
The maximum total ink density applies to all elements within an ad including images, text, tints and line
elements.
When the total ink density is above 240%,The Globe and Mail will adjust the ink density without
notification by applying The Globe and Mail’s ICC Profile. This profile can be downloaded for use at
adforward.globeandmail.ca.
Dot Gain
Dot Gain
26%
Use of The Globe and Mail’s ICC Profile automatically adjusts colour images for dot gain. The PDF “Guide to
Correcting Grayscale Images” can be used to adjust black and white image for dot gain. Both PDFs can be
downloaded at adforward.globeandmail.ca.
Image Resolution
Colour and Grayscale (Bitmap) Image Resolution
266 dpi *NEW*
Monochrome Image Resolution
2400 dpi *NEW*
Text Specifications
Black Tints, Logos and LIne
Elements
• Create as black only
• Set to overprint
• Lines should be no smaller than 0.5pt
• Lines 2pt or larger can be white and set to knockout, or created
using multiple colours.
Gray Tints, Logos and LIne
Elements
• Should be created using black only.
• The use of four colour gray is not
recommended.
Text
• Black text should be created as black only and set to overprint.
• Four colour black is not recommended.
• If four colour black is required, create as 40% cyan,
40% magenta, 40% yellow, and 100% black.
• If text is larger than 24pt, text can be created using multiple
colours.
• If text is smaller than 24pt, it should be created as black only and
set to overprint.
White/Knockout/
Reverse Type
7
• Serif Type (E): minimum of 14pt
• Sans Serif Type (E): minimum of 12 pt
• Set to knockout.