The Golf Almanac
Specs

Ad sizes & submission specs.

What you need to prepare or submit a print-ready ad. Sizing, file format and our setup files.

Sizing

Six standard ad sizes.

Every ad has a live area where text and logos must sit, and a bleed area that extends past the live area. Set your bleed to 3/8 inch (.375") past the live measurement on each side. The quarter page is the one exception. See its card below. This is past the safety line, not past the trim line, because different print houses shift differently.

Two-page spread

Live
10.75" × 8"
Bleed
11.5" × 8.75"

Full page

Live
5" × 8"
Bleed
5.75" × 8.75"

Half page

Live
5" × 3.627"
Bleed
5.75" × 4.377"

Quarter page

Live
5" × 1.5"
Bleed
5.75" × 2.1875"

Bleed is 0.375" on the left and right, but 0.34375" (slightly less than the standard) on the top and bottom. Use our setup file to be safe.

Cover banner ad

Live
5" × 1.625"
Bleed
5.75" × 2"

Bleed on left, right and bottom only. No top bleed.

Logo splash ad

Live
1.65" × 0.94"
Bleed
No bleed

No bleed. We recommend a 3pt stroke border so the ad does not float in white space.

Submitting your ad

How to deliver your artwork.

File format

  • PDF preferred. JPG, PNG, TIFF and packaged Adobe design files are also accepted.
  • 300 DPI at the ad's final print size. A small image stretched to fill a full page will print muddy, even if the source is 300 DPI.
  • CMYK color mode. Not RGB.
  • Fonts embedded or outlined. When exporting a PDF, embed all fonts. If you are not sure how, convert text to outlines (curves) before export so the type cannot reflow.
  • No crop marks in the final ad.
  • No Microsoft Publisher files. Convert .pub to PDF before sending.
  • Name the file with your business name. Example: castle-adjusters-full-page.pdf. Helps us match files to advertisers when a batch arrives.
  • Files over 25 MB: send a WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive link instead of an email attachment.

Setup files

Download our setup files for the size you purchased. Each file has guides for the safety line and bleed area, so your ad fits cleanly.

  1. Download the setup files (.zip).
  2. Open the file that matches your ad size in your design program.
  3. Move the guides to the red lines to set up your bleed area.
  4. Delete the red-lines layer and design your ad.
  5. Export as a full-resolution PDF with no crop marks.
  6. Email the finished file to gfx@thegolfalmanac.com.
Using AI artwork

Build a better AI ad prompt.

Use this tool to write a clean prompt for your AI design tool. Fill out what you know, copy the finished prompt, then paste it into ChatGPT, Midjourney, Ideogram, Adobe Firefly or a similar tool. If your AI tool allows uploads, add your logo, QR code and real business photos there before running the prompt.

1 Fill the worksheet

Use plain answers. Short, specific details create better ad concepts than broad instructions.

2 Upload assets there

Logos, QR codes and photos go inside your AI design tool, not on this page.

3 Copy the prompt

The prompt includes our print size, bleed, safe area and quality rules.

Step 1

Ad size

Choose the size you purchased. The prompt will include the full canvas with bleed, the live area and the right orientation.

The full canvas includes bleed so the background can print to the edge and trim cleanly.

Step 2

Business basics

Write this like you are explaining the business to a new customer. Simple and specific works best.

Step 3

Message and offer

Pick the one thing people should remember after seeing the ad. A focused message usually prints better than a long list.

Optional. A few strong words usually work better than a full sentence.

Only include claims that are true and allowed to appear in your advertising.

Step 4

Style and visuals

Style tells the AI how the ad should feel. If you are not sure, start with premium and clean.

Step 5

Assets for your AI tool

Select the files you plan to upload directly into the AI generator before running the prompt. These files are not uploaded here.

Assets you will upload

Photo guidance

Real photos make the ad feel more specific to your business. Good options include team photos, completed work, vehicles, office interiors, storefronts, food, products, showroom photos or lifestyle photos you own.

Step 6

Contact details

Enter only the details you want printed in the ad. The prompt will tell the AI not to invent missing contact information.

Copy this prompt

Prompt preview

Build the prompt, then paste it into your AI design tool. Upload your logo, QR code and real business photos there before running it.

Before sending final artwork, review spelling, phone numbers, websites, QR codes, logos, image quality and claims.

Using Canva

The exact steps that keep your Canva ad from coming back.

Canva does not export print-ready PDFs with bleed by default, which is why most of the Canva ads we receive need to be redone. These steps walk you through the right setup so your ad fits the first time.

  1. Download the setup files (.zip). The .zip contains a separate PDF for each ad size. Pick the one that matches the ad size you purchased, such as full page, half page or quarter page.
  2. In Canva, click Create a design → Import file, and open the PDF you picked.
  3. Under the File menu, turn on Rulers and guides. Drag a guide onto each red line on all four sides of the setup file.
  4. With the guides in place, delete the red box and the setup text. Design your ad on that same page so your work stays inside the guides.
  5. Click Share → Download. Choose PDF Print. Do not turn on crop marks.
  6. Email the finished PDF to gfx@thegolfalmanac.com with your company name in the subject line.
Don't have artwork?

Our design team will build the ad.

At no additional cost. Send us a description, photos, a logo or just your website and social handles. Most ads are ready within twenty-four hours. The full turnaround is one to three business days.

Design Desk 561-637-4715
Email gfx@thegolfalmanac.com

Ready to advertise?

Request advertising options for your market, or view a sample edition.

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