SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
The Beacon is printed at Evergreen Printing Company in Bellmawr, N.J., using the air-dried (coldset) web offset printing method. The Beacon follows Specifications for Newsprint Advertising Production (SNAP) guidelines. For more information about SNAP go to http://www.usink.com/snap.html
Editorial
- Stories may be submitted as an email message or as a Microsoft Word .docx file attached to an email message.
- Photos should be a minimum of 150 dpi — any image size smaller than 100 KB is unusable.
- We strongly suggest that no manipulation be done to an image — please send us the original as it was downloaded from the image-capturing device.
- We strongly suggest that images not be embedded in Microsoft Word .docx files — if there is a photo accompanying a submission please attach it to an email message separately.
- Mailed submissions are accepted. We will return a submitted photo if a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided.
Advertising
- We welcome press-ready PDF files generated in the CMYK color space with all fonts embedded.
- All colors must be CMYK process colors. PDF files using RGB colors and/or spot colors will be converted to CMYK if possible — The Beacon will not be responsible if this conversion gives an undesirable result.
- PDF files containing "rich black" or black made up of equal amounts of CMYK will not be accepted; all black must be 100%K.
- Maximum ink limit (also known as Total Area Coverage) for our production environment is 240%.
- We welcome TIF files if they are at least 300 dpi at the final usage size.
- TIF files must be created using CMYK process colors and a maximum ink limit of 240%.
- JPG files are NOT recommended for advertising reproduction.
Graphics Programs
- PDF files generated from comps created in professional publishing programs such as InDesign and QuarkXpress are preferred if generated using CMYK colors and all fonts are embedded.
- Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher are not professional publishing programs. Both programs use the RGB color space by default, and only Publisher allows you to change that to CMYK, but that has to be done manually. If you create a PDF in Word or Publisher we strongly suggest sending us the original .pub or .docx files, including any photos or graphics used in the design. If a revision is required, we will send you back a revised PDF for approval prior to publication.
- No GIFs or web-resolution (72-96 dpi) files will be accepted.
Fine Rules and Small Type
Rules that are 4 points or less, as well as small type should be reproduced as one color only. Small type is defined as: Sans-serif type, 8 points or smaller; Serif type, 14 points or smaller.
Reversed Rules and Type
- Type smaller than 12 pt. should not be reversed on a four-color background and type smaller than 10 pt. should not be reversed on a single-color background.
- Serif type should not be reversed at sizes smaller than 12 points, and single- or two-color builds should be used whenever possible.
- For readability, reverse type should not be positioned within screened areas containing less than a 70% screen, and type face should be sans-serif.
- Type should not be reversed on a yellow or other light colored background.
