Ads Production FAQ

Advertisement Tag

Why is an Advertisement tag being placed on my ad?

An Advertisement tag is used to distinguish an ad from editorial content. The tag is placed at the top center of the ad if:

The ad contains text covering more than 50% of the space.
The ad is in a multi-column format, has a headline or a byline.
The request specifies an advertorial layout.
The ad size is larger than a 1/4 page.

Read more here: Understanding the Advertisement Tag

Ad Maker

Can a creative request be reset so I can design an ad in AdMaker?

Yes, as long as a proof has not been uploaded. If a proof has been uploaded, the request must stay updated with the submitted assets. You can use AdMaker to create a mockup for the production team. Ensure all necessary materials are uploaded to facilitate proof creation.

Can a provided ad be reset so I can design an ad in AdMaker?

Yes, but you must reset the request before your ad deadline. Once reset, the originally uploaded ad will no longer be accessible.

Creative Requests

Can the design team create an ad if a client has no branding or logo?

No, all corporate-designed ads must contain branding or a logo. If the client lacks branding, they should provide an ad or use AdMaker to create one.

Can a provided ad be reset to a creative request?

Yes, before the ad deadline. Ensure all necessary materials are uploaded, as the originally provided ad will no longer be accessible.

What if I’m waiting on materials, but my deadline is near?

All creative request materials must be received at the start of your deadline. If missing materials are not provided at least 24 hours before the deadline, the request will be rescinded, and a provided ad will be required. If no ad is supplied, a previous ad or house ad will be placed.

Can I upload a creative request after my deadline?

Late requests are only accepted if:

A ticket was submitted to National Support before the deadline.
An ARC glitch prevented the upload (proof required via screenshot).

If the request is accepted, materials must be provided within 24 hours of National Support’s response, or the request will be denied and a previous ad or house ad will be used.

Can I upload creative requests for future months?

Yes, this helps the production team prepare in advance.

What is a billable request?

A request is billable if:

It takes over 15-30 minutes.
It requires more than one proof (except for mistakes made by our team).
A new creative request or redesign is requested.
The ad size is changed (e.g., Half to Full page).

Why was I charged for some creative requests but not others?

You may have exceeded your allotted “free” billable ads.

Can I select a template with more photos than I provided?

Yes, we can use Adobe Stock images. You may suggest specific standard-license Adobe Stock photos within our content policies.

I clicked “Fix My Ad,” but my ad was still rejected. Why?

“Fix My Ad” is a reminder of issues, but does not guarantee adjustments. We can only resize ads, but cannot fix low DPI, text placement, or design elements.

Read more here: Advertising Specifications

Can horizontal/vertical images be used in templates requiring a specific orientation?

Yes, we can crop images, but be mindful of potential cropping when selecting a template. Taking your photo orientation into consideration when choosing a template can lead to a more successful design.

Can the production team create a QR code?

No, clients must supply QR codes. We recommend using free services like bit.ly or qr-code-generator.com to ensure codes do not expire.

Deadlines & Proofs

What are the ad deadlines?

There are four ad deadlines per month, depending on your magazine:

Creative requests and provided ads must be submitted by 11:59 PM CT on the first day of the deadline.

Creative requests must be completed/approved by 10 AM on the last day of the deadline.

Read more here: Publication Deadlines in ARC

How long does it take to receive a proof?

Proof turnaround follows the 321 Rule:

3 business days for a proof, revision, or communication outside the deadline.
2 business days for a proof or communication within the deadline.
1 business day response for a revision request within the deadline.

Can I submit a creative request or a provided ad after my deadline?

No, late submissions disrupt production schedules. Contact National Support for concerns.

How does my client know the ad's deadline?

Your contract includes your deadline.
Reminder emails are sent 10 days and 5 days before the deadline.

Can a client’s insertion month be removed or changed in ARC?

Only before the ad deadline. Once the first deadline has passed, changes cannot be made.

Can I make changes to an ad during proofing rounds?

No, proofing rounds are for repositioning insertions within the publication, not ad revisions. The final proof undergoes corporate quality control checks.

How many proofs can I receive per request?

You receive one proof at a time.
Up to 6 total proofs, including the initial request and 5 revisions.
After the 6th proof, the request is locked unless an exception is granted.

Why is there a note with my proof?

Notes may indicate:

A template change to better fit your brand.
A request for more information.
Adjustments based on provided details.

I received a message saying my request/provided ad is with National Support. What does this mean?

If rejected with the message “currently under review,” your ad may violate content policies. A team member will contact you.

Can ad space be used for editorial content or sponsored ads?

No, editorial content is not for advertising. Requests for article-style ads may be rejected or tagged as “Advertisement.”

I don’t have an ad ready this month. What should I do?

If no ad or creative request is provided, a previous ad will be used. If no previous ad exists, a corporate house ad will be placed. If you would like to use a specific previous ad, you can choose Repurpose a Past Ad, select the prior month’s ad you would like to use, then click submit.

Double Ads

Can a client advertise multiple businesses in one ad?

No, two advertisers cannot split an ad to promote two businesses. If a client owns multiple businesses, they can:

Purchase multiple insertions.
Alternate businesses every other month.

Read more here: Double Ads Dos and Don’ts

Files/Sizing

Why is ARC saying my file size is too large?

The total file size for uploaded ads or images must be under 125 MB. If your file(s) exceed this limit, your upload will fail.

Can I use a Dropbox or Google Drive link to send assets for my ad creation?

No, we do not accept third-party links (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.). All images, logos, and text must be uploaded directly into ARC.

Will ARC reject an ad if elements are outside of the Safe Zone?

No, ARC does not check for content outside the Safe Zone—only size, color mode, resolution, and file type. Our QC team reviews ads for text, logos, and QR codes outside the Safe Zone. We won't notify you of images or graphics.

Can the ad size be changed?

Yes, but only before the deadline begins. Once the deadline starts, the ad size cannot be changed.

Are the design files available for the client or publication from the production team?

We do not provide clients or publishers with design files for an ad produced by the in-house production team.

What are the minimum advertisement requirements?

All ads provided or created ads must contain two of the three elements: a logo, a Call-to-Action, and/or contact information.

What are the minimum requirements for an advertorial-style ad?

All advertorial-style ads cannot mimic City Lifestyle branded content, look, or feel, and must contain these three elements: a logo, a Call-To-Action, and contact information.

House Ads

Can the production team create custom house ads for my publication?

To create brand consistency, we do not support creation requests for custom house ads, nor do we allow corporate house ads to be modified in any way.

Where can I access house ads?

You can access the City Lifestyle house ads here: House Ads

Why was a house ad used and not the ad I provided or designed by the production team?

A house ad may replace your insertion if:

The ad we created was not approved by the deadline.
The provided ad was not updated after a rejection.
There was no response to a rejected creative request.

Images

Can the production team edit or use Photoshop on an image?

The production team can:

Make simple color adjustments (brightness, tone).
Cut out headshots/products from simple backgrounds.
Extend simple backgrounds (e.g., sky, solid color).

The production team cannot:

Edit faces, bodies, or localized areas.
Cut out jewelry or images with complex backgrounds.
Add/remove objects or people.
Extend complex backgrounds with patterns or textures.

How do I use an Adobe Stock image?

While uploading a new creative request:

Click "Add an Image."
Select the Adobe Stock option.
A new window will open—search for your image.
Copy the file number below the image.
Enter the file number in the "Add an Adobe Stock Photo" pop-up and submit.

Can I download a stock image for a client?

No, we own the license for the image and can only use it within the magazine. Your client can use the image in the magazine under our license, but we cannot share it beyond that.

Why didn’t the design team use the image I requested?

Our designers are not only design experts, but advertising experts. We analyse and review all images provided. There can be a few reasons why the image you provided was not used in your proof.

If your image violates a content policy
If your image is too small for print, and we found a similar stock image
If the image you provided does not match what you are advertising

Can clipart be used in an ad created by the corporate design team?

No, holiday/seasonal clipart is not allowed to maintain an upscale look. Instead, we will use a holiday-themed message or a relevant stock image.

Can AI images be used in advertisements?

We take pride in being an authentic lifestyle brand that reflects the genuine experiences and aspirations of the communities we represent. Therefore, we do not allow the use of AI images or the generation of AI images in our publications.

Can the production team make changes to or design a logo?

We do not make color or major changes to logo files. We can only change the logo to black/white. If color changes are needed to a logo, a vector file and brand guidelines must be supplied.

Can coupons be used in an advertisement?

Allowed:

Specials or discounts with messages like “Mention this ad” or “Use code CITYLIFESTYLE.”
Coupons inside basic shapes.

Not Allowed:

Dotted-line coupons or “cut out” instructions.
“Must bring in this ad” wording.
Automatic month-to-month expiration updates (unless requested).

Why was my request rejected?

Your request could be rejected for several reasons, most commonly due to image/logo size or not providing enough information. If you have any questions about why your request was rejected, please contact National Support or reach out to the contact at your publication.

Provided Ads

Can the design team resize my ad?

In most circumstances, we attempt to make small size adjustments under 0.25 inches or remove crop marks, as long as the ad is proportional to the correct insertion size and does not contain information outside of the safe area or border. We cannot resize a provided vertical ad to a horizontal ad or vice versa. We cannot make adjustments to low-quality images.

When does the production team add a white border around an ad?

The team will only add borders on ads that have some white space as an outer edge. If a client includes a border that can be easily seen, an additional border will not be added.

Can the production team make changes to the provided ads?

We do not make changes to a client’s provided ad. If changes are needed to a provided ad, all information must be uploaded for us to make the changes or rebuild the ad. This includes logos, images, text copy, and any other information needed.

Design files can be provided and will help speed up the process. If submitting a design file, make sure all fonts, images, logos, etc., are uploaded with the document.

Can I change a creative request to a provided ad?

Once a creative request has been submitted, it can be changed to a provided ad, as long as a proof has not been uploaded. If a proof has been uploaded, the provided ad must be submitted through the creative request.

Realty Report

Can the format of the Realty Report be changed or adjusted?

The realty report is branded by city lifestyle. The layout, fonts, and all text must remain within City Lifestyle brand standards.

The top header must say Realty Report and cannot be altered in any way.
The sentence, “A sample of recently sold properties in (publication name).”
- “In” can be replaced with around
- The publication name cannot be changed
We ask that you follow this CSV downloadable template when compiling your Realty Report Data.
- We understand that some states have different legal requirements on what can and cannot be shown on a Realty Report. Our document is compliant with all states, and we can make minor adjustments on a per-case basis if needed.

Can a Realty Report be a provided ad?

If the client provides a Realty Report Ad, it will remove them from the "Realty Report" insertion title and mark them as a Full Page. By doing this, they will take them out of the Table of Contents. A provided realty report cannot mimic the City Lifestyle corporate design look/feel and must be branded to the client.