Editorial FAQ

ARC

How do I add a pull quote?

Use the pull quote text box in certain layouts or click the block quote icon in the text box tools. Avoid leaving notes in the text box, as they will be printed in the magazine.

Why does my text look like it is in bold text in ARC?

When text is copied from a Google Doc into the ARC text box, it can automatically be bolded. Highlight and unbold the text to ensure it’s ready for the layout designer.

Where can I leave notes for the designer?

For general editorial direction, leave notes in the production notes section of the content tab. Use the notes section under your photos for image-specific instructions. Please do not place notes to the designer in the caption of the photo or the text box for the editorial - text in those sections will be printed in the magazine.

Why are the names on my Masthead different?

ARC auto-generates names based on access. Adjust titles via dropdowns or during review rounds.

Why is my photographer being redirected to the Customer Portal?

This happens because the Photographer Portal and Customer Portal share the same URL. If your photographer has an active contract, they will automatically be directed to the Customer Portal. To access the Photographer Portal, they will need to log in using an email address that is not associated with their customer account.

Why can’t I assign writers or photographers in ARC?

Only editors have editorial access, not publishers.

I’m using a 3-page recipe article, but removing page 2. Why is ARC still showing the original word count?

ARC doesn’t automatically adjust word counts. You’ll need to manually recalculate the word count based on the pages used. You can reference the word count breakdown in the training docs or the assignment tab under the article description.

Content

What is the difference between City List and City Scene?

City List is considered an ad that lists local businesses in different categories and is typically used as a prospecting tool. City Scene is an editorial piece that showcases images from things that happened in the community in the prior month.

What is the suggested variety of 1, 2, 3, and 4+ page articles within one magazine issue?

Refer to our Page Count Recommendations resource.

Do we have the rights to publish National and Evergreen content?

Yes. We maintain all necessary agreements with writers and photographers (or use licensed stock photography).

Can I use Evergreen content in every issue?

Evergreen content should only be used as a backup option when an article falls through or if there is a last-minute page count jump. Avoid relying on it each month.

Why isn’t the Evergreen article listed on my landing page?

Evergreen content is not posted to the website/landing pages as it is not local, and posting it online detracts from community engagement. It also risks multiple publishers posting the same content, reducing local uniqueness.

Can I change the color of the layout background?

The background color of a layout can only be changed if it is a color other than white. It can be requested to be changed in the production notes section of the content tab. The team will choose an appropriate color tone based on the photography.

Can I add my own QR code to the editorial?

The only QR codes allowed in the editorial are for the business monthly. The QR code needs to be the CL QR code. We cannot allow any QR code that is made outside of the system in editorial, as we cannot manage and confirm that the link will go to the appropriate site.

How is the order of the editorials in the magazine determined?

The order is determined by the order in ARC. Drag and drop editorials in the Issues tab to change the order. The sections that are set in stone are the Masthead, Lifestyle Letter, Table of Contents, Business Monthly, City Scene, and Calendar.

Can we reuse a previously uploaded signature in the Lifestyle Letter?

Yes, the production team can reuse previously uploaded signatures from past Lifestyle Letters. However, this must be noted under the production notes on the Lifestyle Letter page. Since the author of the letter may change each month, ARC does not automatically carry over this information for each issue.

Can I have two articles from the same category?

Yes, you can include two articles from the same category (e.g., Q&A, How-To, Round-Up). However, you cannot use the same layout twice unless you are using custom content.

Can I search for articles from other publications written on a certain topic?

At this time, there is no way to search through the other magazines for articles on similar topics in ARC. Although you can Google our website/the topic, and it will search our website for articles. Ex. You are looking for articles written about Porsche, you could Google “citylifestyle.com Porsche” and it will pull articles from the site.

Covers

Do we have an Anniversary cover template? Can I do an anniversary cover if it is off-theme?

We do not have a standard Anniversary cover, but most magazines will do something involving a cake/candle or a photo of their team. We do not allow collages. In the main and secondary teasers, you can choose what you want to say about the anniversary issue.

Do we have exact measurements for the cover, logo, and address block?

The cover space is 8.625" x 11.125" with a .125 bleed and a .375" safe area.

The mailing label is a 5" x 2.25" horizontal box .5 from the trim edge of the page.

The magazine title does not go past 5" from the top.

Can I do a photo collage for the cover?

We don’t allow collage-style covers because we believe that a magazine cover should make an immediate, powerful statement. When you combine multiple images, it can feel cluttered or disjointed, which makes it harder for the cover to grab attention or communicate a clear message.

What if the image on the cover is behind the magazine name? Can I request that it be brought in front?

A production note can be added if you would like the magazine title to be in front of or behind an object in your cover photo. (Typically, this is for a person on the cover, and the title cover is over the face.)

Can I change the main teaser on my cover?

Yes, you can, although it must tie to the magazine's theme, highlighting your compelling content. It can reference an article, but it must align with the broader theme. Keep it concise—ideally 5 words or less. If it is longer, use a brief headline with a subhead. We suggest omitting the teaser if the cover image conveys the theme, letting the visual alone captivate readers.

Can I see both black and white versions of my magazine title on the cover?

While you cannot see both black and white title options in one proof, you can request one color and then change it in the review round. Then, you have one final time (final review feedback) to settle on which color you want, and you can put in a production note confirming your color choice. If there is no note requesting a specific color, the designers will choose based on what looks best with the cover image.

Can I get a high-resolution PDF for my cover?

If you would like to request a high-resolution PDF for a cover or article, please submit a support ticket, and the team can get that for you. Please keep in mind that once a magazine has been printed, we cannot print additional copies or provide a PDF of an entire issue for reprint. However, if you need a particular article or ad, we can provide a high-resolution PDF to be used as needed.

Can I convert the PDF of my cover into an image to post on social media?

Here is a free online resource to assist with converting your PDF to a PNG image file: PDF to PNG Converter - FreeConvert.com

Can I use a photo from an Evergreen or National Content article for my cover?

Yes, you can request an image from Evergreen or National Content for your cover. Simply add a note in the production notes, similar to requesting an Adobe Stock image. Be sure to include the article name, month, and year, and a detailed description of the image so the team can select the correct one.

Can I place a fractional ad on the back cover of the magazine?

No, fractional ads are not allowed on the back cover of the magazine. This includes ¼ page, ⅓ page, ½ page, and ⅔ page ad sizes. Only full-page ads may be placed on the back cover. This guideline is part of City Lifestyle’s official regulations and best practices for review rounds, and no exceptions should be made or promised to a prospect or client.

Custom Content

How do I find layouts for custom content?

To use the inspiration layouts, you will add your article as Custom Content, enter the article details, and under the Assignment tab, scroll to the bottom and click “Add Inspiration” to select layouts from this year and past issues. You can also go to the “Past Issues” tab and look at layouts used in other magazines that may not be in the Inspiration Library. Just be sure to note which layout you want to use from the past issues by notating in production notes on the content tab the exact magazine name, month, and year it ran, and the page numbers it can be found in. Uploading a photo of a layout for inspiration is prohibited.

Read here for more: Managing Custom Content

How many pages of custom content do I have per issue?

The number of custom content pages available to you is dependent upon your magazine's overall page count.

Read here for more: Managing Custom Content

What if I can’t find a layout that fits the word count and photo orientation that I have for an editorial?

This is a perfect time to use custom content. Alternatively, you could alter the original layout without using custom content by repeating a page already in the layout (ex., Repeat page 4). This is not considered custom content. Although the first page of the layout must remain on the page. Keep in mind, ARC will not add the additional word count, so you will have to manually count and add the word count to your total. This can be noted in the production notes.

Why can't I change the page count of my custom content article?

Once custom content is added, its page count cannot be changed. To modify the page count, you need to start the article from scratch. Current content can be moved to the next month’s issue and copied/pasted to help facilitate this process.

Do we have options to run a Reader’s Choice article?

Reader’s Choice content is not allowed in the editorial section of the magazine. This means:

You cannot run an editorial piece encouraging readers to vote.
You cannot publish a “winner's” article in the editorial section.

However, Reader’s Choice can be promoted through:

Social media
Ads (e.g., an ad encouraging readers to vote)
- A two-page spread listing all the winners (which must be fully produced by the publisher, including all associated ads).

There is no editorial support for Reader’s Choice, and any editorial submission related to it will be denied.

Deadlines & Review Rounds

How do I verify that my proof was uploaded?

Arc only allows one upload per proofing round. If you ever are unsure if the file has been uploaded, go to the editorial tab, select issues, choose the month/year that the proof is under, scroll down, and select review rounds. Once selected, it will showcase the following:

Download Print Ready Review (this is the proof our teams send to you all)
Download Print Ready Feedback (this is the PDF file that you upload with the edits)
Download Print Ready Review (this is the proof our teams send to you all)
Download Print Ready Feedback (this is the PDF file that you upload with the edits)
Final Proof (file that is sent to the printers)

Why isn’t my proof showing up in ARC?

If you aren’t seeing your PDF uploaded to ARC, try to wait about 5 seconds, log out, and log back in, then go look in the spot where you upload edits and see if it says Download Print Ready Feedback. If it does, then the edits are uploaded. There should also be an email with Print Ready Feedback in the subject line for confirmation!

Can I submit a photo during the review rounds?

We are unable to accept local photography after the editorial deadline because our internal checks and balances would require that the image manually pass through three different departments before it reaches its final destination in your layout. To get all our magazines beautifully designed, reviewed for the highest print and content quality, and in mailboxes on time, we have to abide by strict deadlines.

You can, however, use the print-ready rounds to note an edit and change the photo for another photo that has been submitted in ARC before the deadline date, or provide us with a stock photo number. Please note that if you are providing a photo for content review, this can be completed during the content review's deadline time frame.

Why does the Ready for Review button do?

You should only use the Ready for Review button when you are finished making all edits to the content. The risk of pressing this button is that ARC will lock you out from making any changes afterward, and this action cannot be undone. If you press the button and later need to make a change before the deadline, you will need to submit a ticket to National Support. The button isn't required to be selected, as the content will automatically be finalized once the editorial deadline passes.

Will edits to articles be reflected on the CL website?

At this time, the content that is online is the content that is submitted at the Editorial deadline. Unfortunately, any edits made in the proofing rounds will not make it to the online version. Minor edits to the online version of an article may be requested via ticket.

When content needs to be cut or reduced, how is it determined?

Content is cut or reduced in the following order:

National/Evergreen Content
Anchor Content (including Events, City Scene, Business Monthly, and City List)
Local Articles

If you have specific preferences on how content should be adjusted, please include directions in your production notes.

Read more here: Understanding Pagination

How do I plan for potential ad sales coming in and changing our magazine’s page count?

Since the total page count locks after the Ads Contract Deadline date, we recommend making a production note for the Table of Contents, which articles should be expanded if extra space opens up. You would also need to ensure that the noted articles have additional material (like extra photos) to allow for the expansion.

We cannot use content from a future month's editorial if space opens up. All content goes through a lengthy QC process that begins right after the editorial deadline passes.

Additionally, you can have more control over the filler content by specifying which Evergreen Content (or National Content) should be used if there's extra space and no articles left to expand.

Photography

How do I access stock photography?

You can access free stock photography through Adobe Stock. Please be aware that while our stock photo services are free to Publishers and clients, our subscription does not include images that are marked for "editorial" use or "premium" images. If you would like to use the premium image you have uploaded, please purchase the image and upload it with your request.

Can we still use Unsplash photos, and do we need to credit the photographer?

You’re responsible for knowing the licensing rights of any photos you use. If you're using stock photos not from Adobe (which we provide), you must understand and follow their license terms.

If unsure, it's safest to only use photos provided by us. It can be found here: License | Unsplash

Can I manipulate a photo to not give the resolution warning so that ARC accepts it?

The designers can tell when a photo has been altered to appear as if it is meeting resolution requirements. The resolution warning is there as a safeguard so that the images printed in your magazine aren't blurry once they are printed larger in the layout. Please follow the resolution requirements so that the integrity and quality of the magazine remain intact.

Which photos is my designer saying are blurry?

If a designer refers to a photo in ARC as being blurry, they will refer to the photos by their upload order (e.g., “photo 1 and 3”), not by captions or notes. Check the order of the uploaded photos.

Can the photo have a logo and text on it?

Photos with logos or text are not accepted for editorial use, and graphs or similar images are also not allowed.

Can I use a premade collage of photos?

While we can't accept collage-like images as photos, we do have a close alternative solution. Each image would need to be submitted separately, along with production notes detailing the desired collage style you're looking for.

It is important to note that the local team will need to crop the individual photos. Unfortunately, our production team cannot do the cropping. This would also make the article custom content.

Why are my photos not being uploaded to ARC?

If you are uploading an image for an article before the editorial deadline date and ARC is not uploading the images successfully, you could be experiencing a broken image error.

When one of the images you have uploaded gets a broken image, ARC will not allow you to upload any new images after that. ARC will try to load the image to 100% and then freeze up on the screen. The only solution is to reach out through National Support so that we can remove the broken image for you. Please provide us with the following information when reaching out: publication name/month/year/name of article, or you can remove all of the previously uploaded images and only upload up to 2 at a time.

Can my photographer sell the photos they took for my magazine?

It is best practice to let the photographer handle sharing their photos. We generally say that the photos can be sold by the photographer to the client after the shoot. (They often arrange a discounted rate.) We just ask that the photos aren't used in competing media sources, but can be used for personal use or their social media, etc.

An advertiser got a free photoshoot and now wants the photos, but they don’t advertise with us anymore. Can we give them the images?

Photos from our articles belong to us when taken by our photographer. The advertiser must get permission from both the photographer and the publisher. They also can’t use the photos in competing magazines.

What do I do if my photography byline is too long?

If the “photography by” line is too long, you can list photographers under the photo captions or in the contributing photographer's box on the masthead, so they receive proper credit in both places.

What are the required photography specifications?

Minimum resolution: 300 dpi

Cover: 2550 x 3300 pixels or higher

Large: 2100 x 1425 pixels or higher

Small: 900 x 600 pixels or higher

File types: .jpg or .png

Cover photos should be vertical for optimal use.

Ideally, we want every image/logo to have an effective DPI of 300 or higher. However, this is not always possible. The image must have an effective DPI of 200 and be visually clear to avoid rejection.

The photo sizes for photos in your layout can be found on the layout guide in Arc for the recipe you select. To find the photo size in inches, take the pixel number and divide it by 300. (Ex. 2100x1425px = 7x4.75 in)

Can I use the photos for National Content or Evergreen to create my original editorial?

National Content photos are not for use as stock images. If you wish to use them, you must include the related article in the issue.

What are the dimensions of the Business Monthly photos?

The dimensions for the Business Monthly photos are 1.97 x 1.70 inches. The image should be bigger than 2x2 inches to fit. If you do not have a photo to fit the space, you can also include a stock photo.

Can you remove/photoshop the background of the photo?

We cannot remove the background of a photo, but we can crop something out if needed.

Can you edit this photo for my client using Photoshop?

The design team can make simple color adjustments (brightness, tone), cutouts of headshots or products from simple backgrounds, and simple backgrounds (e.g., sky or plain color).

We do not make complex adjustments, such as color changes to faces, removal of objects, or complex background adjustments.

Can I use photos in the magazine without having a photo agreement on file?

No, it is of utmost importance to make sure every photo you use in your magazine has a photo agreement signed by the photographer. There are two different agreements in ARC. The first is for City Lifestyle freelance photographers who are hired to take photos specifically for the magazine. This agreement states that City Lifestyle owns the images. The second agreement is for provided images, and this agreement simply states that the photographer is permitting us to print their photos in the magazine. There is also a section in this agreement for PR companies to sign for the photographer if they own the rights to distribute the photos at large for print media. Note that many businesses think they own the rights to the photos, but in fact, they don’t. There is a difference between owning the rights to use the photos for personal use and owning the rights to distribute them at large via a 3rd party. Be sure you know the difference between these so that you are legally covered. The agreements can be found in training and documents.

Why are my photos getting flagged as too small in ARC?

The ARC warning is a general size guideline and flags any image smaller than 5" x 7" (in either height or width). It does not analyze where each image is placed in the layout, so the warning may not always indicate an actual issue.

During the content review period, the QC team will check each image’s size based on its placement in the layout. If an image is truly too small or low resolution, they will flag it and request a replacement.

To avoid issues, we recommend:

Check the image specifications for your selected layout in the guide.
Ensuring all uploaded images meet the required dimensions and are at least 300 dpi.

As long as your images meet these requirements, they should be fine for use!

Can I include a movie poster in an article if we have permission from the producer?

Yes, movie posters are allowed in editorial as well as book covers.