Ad Specifications for Mailer

If you are giving us a finished ad:

In the past, we have had trouble with advertisers giving us ads that did not follow our specifications in one or more ways. Please read the following carefully.

Please follow these specifications:

• Trim Size: 8.5" wide x 11" high (standard letter size). This is the size that the mailer is trimmed to.
• Live Area: 8.25" wide x 10.75" high. This is the area that can contain text and other elements, NOT including the ad's background image/color. Please do not submit ads smaller than this. Click here for an illustration.
• Bleed: If your artwork has a background image or color, include a 1/8" bleed extending beyond the 8.5" x 11" trim size for a total of 8.75" x 11.25". Click here for an illustration.
• All images must be at least 300dpi resolution.
• All elements must be CMYK. We cannot accept Pantone colors. If Pantone colors are in the ad, they will be converted to the closest CMYK equivalent.

PC Users: We can accept CorelDraw, Adode Illustrator, Microsoft Publisher, Quark Express 5.0 (or lower) files and bitmap images (.tif, .bmp, etc.), including Adobe Photoshop PSD files. If you do not use any of those programs, please save your file as a PDF. Note about fonts: If we do not have the fonts you used, you will either be asked to send them to us or we will convert your file to a bitmap image.

Mac Users: With the exception of Adobe Illustrator, we can only accept PDF, EPS or bitmap files. Due to font issues, we must ask that all fonts be converted to outlines/curves. If your application does not have that ability, please send an EPS, TIFF or uncompressed JPEG file. We cannot use any PDF file that has fonts, even if the fonts are embedded since all of the ads are being brought into another program for compilation of the mailer. Any PDF file we receive that includes Mac fonts will be converted to a bitmap image. In such a case, we cannot guarantee that image quality will remain the same as in the original file. To assure results that you are satisfied with, please do the conversion yourself.

Please email a low resolution (100-150 dpi) PDF file for preview and approval. If there are any problems or changes needed, we'll let you know ASAP. Email the low res PDF to: maureen@mdschoice.com, tmercer@helpus.com, terrytravel@mdschoice.com and rad@americasacres.com

Please send questions about artwork to maureen@mdschoice.com

If we are doing the ad:
Click here for samples of ads we have done in the past

Please send us the following:

1. Company logo
2. All images you want included in the ad. CPT, PSD, TIFF, BMP, EPS and uncompressed JPG files are accepted. All bitmap images must be have a resolution of 300dpi or higher. Vector graphics (e.g. CDR, WMF, AI, etc.) are also accepted and are preferred for logos, line art and any image that needs a transparent background.
3. All text you want in the ad (product descriptions, slogans, etc.). Please send text in a DOC, TXT, RTF or WPD file.
4. PDF or JPG samples of consumer and/or dealer ads that have been done for you in the past (that you are happy with) so that we can maintain the corporate appearance or make suggestions, if necessary.
5. Any idea or concept that you may have regarding your company product or goal. In other words, how classic, classy, in your face, jumping, or blatant you want your company's ad to be.
6. The "show special" or "deals" you are offering to push for a response.

Please send questions to maureen@mdschoice.com

ALSO NEEDED:

For inclusion on the HUB dealer Web site (www.tackstoreinfo.com), please email the following:

1. Company logo
2. At least 3 product photos
3. At least 3 "power words" or phrases describing your product or deal (for an animated GIF)
4. Company Web address (for link and inclusion on site)
5. Company phone number (Toll Free Preferred)
6. Contact name
7. Preferred email address

We would greatly appreciate ANY articles or information you or someone at your company has written that will TEACH or INSTRUCT a store owner, the buyer, OR their employees HOW-TO (or Why to) do, save, train, sell, help, or otherwise benefit from your product, service, or knowledge.

For example:

• Why have a fax machine
• How to sell xyz type of products
• How to keep employees
• Why have customer appreciation days
• Why supplement
• How to shampoo a horse (or dog)
• About safety issues (common sense & facts)
• How to get more out of something

The goal of the "HUB" Dealer Site is to make it complete and useful enough of a resource that dealers will want to look there FIRST for information. We are doing it to help promote ourselves and each of the non-competing companies participating with us. Our hope and goal is to create a "HorseCity.com" or "Info Horse" type site for DEALERS - the owners, buyers, and employees. At some point we may have a "jobs" section (for stores and prospective employees). We may offer the stores that are actively participating in this site something a little extra that stores not participating won't get.

We will be posting a variety of surveys and questionnaires on the site. The demographics sheet that MD's Choice originally did will likely be the starting spot. Our goal is to stay in front of the dealers with both our products and company name and to encourage them to not just order, but to participate in the markets and the industry (more than the walls that hold their store). The stats gathered will be shared with the participants and key organizations.

Best Regards,

Terry Mercer