How to Take Out a Full-Page Ad in the New York Times

Take Out a Full-Page Ad in the New York Times

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide in which edition of the Times you'd like your ad to appear. Depending on the message and your audience, you may want to place it in the Sunday edition, a special news section, or a weekly theme section in the New York Times Magazine.

2. Reserve space by calling the Times's order fulfillment department. To place an ad through customer order fulfillment (COF), contact a representative by calling [phone]. Outside the New York metropolitan area, dial [phone]. When you call COF, an advertising service representative (ASR) will handle your request. To submit an ad online, go to nytadvertising.nytimes.com.

3. Give the ASR your ad information, which must include size, date, edition and position request (if applicable). The ASR assigns a reservation number to your ad and tells you how much it will cost. Have the ASR assign your ad a contract number. Also make sure to retain the reservation number, as all materials submitted for publication must have a reservation number.

4. Prepare an insertion order for your advertisement, which should include the following: reservation number; contract number; your name, billing address and phone number; day and date of insertion; section or position request; size and cost of the ad; and a description of the ad.

5. Ask for detailed production specs including size, line screen, restrictions on tints or halftones, and minimal type sizes. Create the ad yourself or have a professional do it. (See How to Hire a Graphic Designer.)

6. Submit your materials electronically in an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file if your ad is black-and-white. For color requirements, call the color services department at [phone].

7. Arrange to pay for your ad prior to the publication deadline unless you've already established credit. You may prepay with a bank wire transfer, credit card or a guaranteed check from the advertiser or agency.

8. Establish credit with the Times by calling [phone] or send an e-mail to [e-mail] for an application. If your request is granted, the Times will establish a credit limit and applicable payment terms for you.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any questions after placing your reservation, the COF office is available to help you with advertising reservations, material processing and billing information: [phone] or [phone] outside the New York metropolitan area.
• The New York Times maintains an advertising acceptability department whose staff members examine ads before publication to make sure they meet the paper's standards. The Times does not accept advertising that is misleading, inaccurate or fraudulent; that makes unfair competitive claims; or that fails to comply with its standards of decency and dignity. The advertising acceptability department can be contacted directly at [phone] for questions or for a pamphlet containing detailed information on acceptability guidelines.