MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS

RETAIL AD SIZING
Ads are sized according to column width and depth.

RETAIL
Column width
Inches
Picas/Points
1 col.
1.78
10p8
2 col.
3.72
22p4
3 col.
5.67
34p0
4 col.
7.61
45p8
5 col.
9.56
57p4
6 col. (not Tab)
11.50
69p0

Retail broadsheet specifications:
  • Page size is 6 col. (11.5 in.) x 20.5 in.
  • Ads can be any column width and any depth.
  • Ads more than 18 inches in depth will be charged full column depth of 20.5 in.
  • Full double trucks are 12 3/4 col. (24 in.) x 20.5 in., billed as 261.5 in.
  • Double trucks are charged 3/4 column for the gutter.
  • Scotch double trucks are 10 3/4 col. (20.11 in.) x 20.5 in., billed as 220.5 in.
  • Facing ads measuring 10 columns of total space will be butted to the gutter upon request.
  • Ads should be prepared for offset reproduction; 100-line screen recommended.
Retail tabloid specifications:
Tabloid ad sizes apply to Neighbors, New River Valley Current and special advertising sections.
  • Page size is 5 col. (9.556 in.) x 11.5 in.
  • Ads can be any column width from 1 to 5 columns, but may only be 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11.5 in. deep.
  • Double trucks are 10 3/4 col. (20.11 in.) x 11.5 in., billed at 123.75 in.
  • Double trucks are charged 3/4 column for the gutter.
  • Ads should be prepared for offset reproduction; 100-line screen recommended.
SPECTATOR
Space in the Saturday TV viewing guide is limited and ad sizes are as follows:
1 col. x any size up to 11.5 in. 4 col. x any size up to 5 in.
2 col. x any size up to 11.5 in. 5 col. x any size up to 5 in.
3 col. x any size up to 5 in. Back page: 5 col. x 11.5 in.

CLASSIFIED AD SIZING
Classified ads run in The Roanoke Times and
New River Valley Current.

CLASSIFIED
Column width
Inches
Picas/Points
1 col.
1.08
6p6
2 col.
2.25
13p6
3 col.
3.40
20p5
4 col.
4.55
27p4
5 col.
5.72
34p4
6 col.
6.87
41p3
7 col.
8.03
48p2
8 col.
9.18
55p1
9 col. (not Tab)
10.35
62p1
10 col. (not Tab)
11.50
69p0

Specifications:

The Roanoke Times

  • Page size is 10 col. (11.5 in.) x 20.5 in.
  • Ads can be any column width and any depth.
  • Ads more than 19.5 in. deep will be charged full column depth of 20.5 in.
  • Double truck ads are 20 3/4 col. (24 in.) x 20.5 in., billed as 425.5 in.
  • Double trucks are charged 3/4 column for the gutter
  • Prepare material for offset reproduction; 100-line screen recommended.
  • Liner size: 13 lines per inch

NEW RIVER VALLEY CURRENT

  • Page size is 8 col. (9.18 in.) x 11.5 in.
  • Ads can be any column width from 1 to 8 columns.
  • Double trucks are 16 3/4 col. (19.86 in.) x 11.5 in., billed at 192.75 in.
  • Double trucks are charged 3/4 column for the gutter.
  • Prepare materials for offset reproduction; 100-line screen recommended.

HOMES PLUS
Ads are sold in full-, half- and quarter-page sizes.
Call 540-981-3312 for specific information.

PREPRINTED INSERTS
Preprint distribution is available by zip code in The Roanoke Times circulation area and to non-subscribers in the Roanoke Metro area and the New River Valley. Other areas of the primary market are available in The Roanoke Times by county. Contact your advertising representative for information on correct zones. Minimum preprint distribution is one zip code in the metro area or 5,000 quantity outside the metro area. Zip codes 24059 or 24011 do not qualify as one of the zip codes to meet the minimum. Preprint insertion is available Tuesday through Sunday.

Specifications:

  • Minimum size is 3 x 5 in.
  • Maximum size is 10.75 x 12.5 in.
  • Folding: All 4-page tabloid inserts should arrive quarterfolded.
    The Roanoke Times can provide this service for an additional charge
    of $12.50 per thousand. All tabloid inserts larger than four pages should arrive flat.
SHIPPING INFORMATION
  • Shipping address: 201 W. Campbell Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24010
  • Shipping must be paid in advance.
  • Inserts should arrive on skids, no greater than 5 ft. high.
  • Inserts may be received at our freight dock from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
INSERTION ERRORS
While every effort is made to ensure that preprinted inserts are handled according to specific distribution requests, several factors can prevent 100% coverage:
  • Thickness. Products that are book-like in thickness may cause the insertion machinery to miss more frequently. Conversely, extremely thin products are prone to multi-inserting.
  • Paper type. Lower-quality paper, such as tissue paper or recycled paper, is easily torn.
  • Viscosity (slickness). Paper that is very glossy and slick is prone to being duplicated in one newspaper and creating shortages.
  • Type of fold. Uncommon types of folds or unusual locations of the fold, such as spadeas, gatefolds and tri-folds, can cause tearing.
If you have concerns about the acceptability of your product, please submit samples at least 10 days before the insertion date to the Packaging Operations Manager.

PREPRINTED INSERT SIZES
Card = up to 11 x 17 in.
Flexi = 80 sq. in. or less
Tab = 80.25 sq. in. to 183 sq. in.
Standard = over 183 sq. in.