Forum Communications Company
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead — Rates, Specs & Deadlines
Fargo, ND · 2026 Edition
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead has served the Fargo-Moorhead area for 135 years, providing local news, information and advertising opportunities for Fargo, Moorhead and surrounding communities.
Rates
2026 Rate Card
Open Local Display — Print
| Ad Size | Dimensions | Open Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 page | 10.056" × 4.9" or 4.96" × 9.93" | $1,028 color |
| 1/2 page | 10.056" × 9.93" or 4.96" × 20" | $1,714 color |
| Full page | 10.056" × 20" | $2,857 color |
Premium Ad Positions
| Premium Position | Dimensions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Skybox | 3.26" × 2.38" | $599 color |
| Banner Label | 8.35" × 2.38" | $599 color |
| Banner Strip | 10.056" × 1.5" | $599 color |
Frequency Program (per-insertion rate)
| Frequency | Full | Half | Quarter | Eighth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | $2,857 | $1,714 | $1,028 | $617 |
| 12× | $1,428 | $857 | $514 | $309 |
| 26× | $857 | $514 | $309 | $185 |
| 52× | $571 | $343 | $206 | — |
E-Paper Rates
| Ad Size | Dimensions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1/24 page | 3.26" × 2.38" | $50 / day |
| 1/16 page | 4.96" × 2.38" | $80 / day |
| 1/12 page | 3.26" × 4.9" | $100 / day |
| 1/8 page vertical | 10.056" × 2.38" | $150 / day |
| 1/8 page horizontal | 4.96" × 4.9" | $150 / day |
| 1/6 page | 3.26" × 9.93" | $200 / day |
| 1/4 page vertical | 10.056" × 4.9" | $300 / day |
| 1/4 page horizontal | 4.96" × 9.93" | $300 / day |
| 1/3 page | 3.26" × 20" | $400 / day |
| 1/2 page vertical | 10.056" × 9.93" | $600 / day |
| 1/2 page horizontal | 4.96" × 20" | $600 / day |
| Full page | 10.056" × 20" | $850 / day |
E-Paper Premium Spots
| Premium Spot | Dimensions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Front Page Top Corner | 3.26" × 2.38" | $60 / day |
| Front Page Bottom Banner | 8.36" × 2.38" | $90 / day |
| Section Front Banner | 10.056" × 2.38" | $108 / day |
| Page 2 Tower (1/3 page) | 3.26" × 20" | $240 / day |
Rate Notes
- All print ad rates include that day's e-paper. E-paper rates apply on days without a printed edition.
- All advertising is payable 30 days upon receipt of bill. Accounts 60+ days past due incur a 1.5% monthly service charge.
- The word "advertisement" must appear above all advertising simulating editorial content.
- We do not accept local brokered advertising.
- Creative design is included in all print advertising rates.
- All rates valid for 12 months with a signed annual agreement.
02 / Specs
Mechanical Specifications
Sizing
Ad Size
Build the ad to the exact size purchased. Ads will not be stretched or reformatted to fit.
- If an ad is submitted at a different size:
- It will be scaled proportionally to fit within the purchased space.
- The ad will not be reformatted or redesigned.
- Final placement may include white space if proportions differ.
File Format
Accepted Files
Preferred: press-ready PDF with fonts embedded or outlined.
Other file types (JPG, PNG, etc.) are not recommended for camera-ready ads due to compression and quality limitations.
Resolution
Image Resolution
| Setting | Specification |
|---|---|
| Recommended | 300 DPI |
| Minimum | 200 DPI |
Images below the minimum resolution may appear soft or pixelated when printed.
Color
Color Requirements
- Color ads must be built in CMYK.
- Files submitted in RGB will be converted for print, which may result in color or tonal shifts.
- Black text should be 100% black (K only).
- Black & white ads should use grayscale or black-only images and text.
Ink Coverage
- Total ink coverage should not exceed 240%.
- Higher ink levels may cause printing issues, including muddy or blurred images.
Trim
Bleed & Safe Area (For Trimmed Publications)
- Bleed: 0.25" beyond trim on all sides.
- Safe area: keep all important content at least 0.5" inside trim (minimum 0.25"); content closer than this may be flagged during preflight.
- Bleed, trim, and safe area may vary by publication size.
- PDFs should not include printer's marks.
- Content outside the safe area may be trimmed.
- Contact us if you need specifications for a specific publication.
Print
Print Considerations
- Keep text above 5.5 pt for readability.
- Avoid reversing small text out of colored backgrounds.
- Expect normal print variation due to press conditions (dot gain).
Content Use
Image & Content Use
- All submitted content must be approved for use in advertising.
- Advertisers are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate rights, licenses, or permissions for all images, logos, and text included in their ad.
- If content is licensed, it is the advertiser's responsibility to confirm that the license allows for commercial use and third-party reproduction.
- The publisher reserves the right to reject any content that does not meet these requirements or is deemed unsuitable for publication.
Adjustments
Ad Adjustments & Rebuilds
Camera-ready ads are intended to run as submitted. If resizing, edits, or reconstruction are required:
- All editable materials (text, images, logos) must be provided.
- Submitted files will be used as a reference only.
If we are unable to scale to a usable size, the ad will be returned to client for resizing; deadlines apply. Rebuilds and adjustments void our credit policy.
Dimensions
Print Ad Dimensions — Broadsheet
Modular standards for broadsheet publications across Forum Communications. Build ads to the exact dimensions shown.
Standard Sizes
Full Page
10.056" × 20"
1/2 Page — V
4.96" × 20"
1/2 Page — H
10.056" × 9.93"
3/8 Page — H
10.056" × 7.43"
1/4 Page — V
4.96" × 9.93"
1/4 Page — H
10.056" × 4.9"
1/8 Page — V
4.96" × 4.9"
1/8 Page — H
10.056" × 2.38"
Small & Specialty Sizes
1/12 Page — V
3.26" × 4.9"
1/12 Page — H
6.66" × 2.38"
1/16 Page — H
4.96" × 2.38"
1/24 Page — H
3.26" × 2.38"
Double Truck
Double Truck
21.065" × 20"
1/2 Page Double Truck
21.065" × 9.93"
Front Page Premium Spots
Skybox
3.26" × 2.38"
Banner Strip
10.056" × 1.5"
Banner Label
8.35" × 2.38"
Banner Full
10.056" × 2.38"
- Skybox — top of the page in the masthead area. Available at all print locations.
- Front Banner Strip — beneath the masthead. Available at all print locations.
- Banner Label — bottom of the page above the index. Available in newspapers printed in Detroit Lakes and Bismarck.
- Banner Full — above the index at the bottom of the page. Available in newspapers printed in Sioux Falls.
10 / Dimensions
Print Ad Dimensions — Tabloid
Modular standards for tabloid publications across Forum Communications.
Standard Sizes
Full Page
10.056" × 9.93"
1/2 Page — V
4.96" × 9.93"
1/2 Page — H
10.056" × 4.9"
1/4 Page — V
4.96" × 4.9"
1/4 Page — H
10.056" × 2.38"
1/6 Page — V
3.26" × 4.9"
1/6 Page — H
6.66" × 2.38"
1/8 Page — H
4.96" × 2.38"
Bizcard
3.26" × 2.38"
Double Truck
Double Truck
20.862" × 9.93"
Front Page & Premium Positions
Front-page modular spots are premium positions and available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Deadlines
Submission Deadlines
| Publication Day | Space, Copy & Cancellation Deadline |
|---|---|
| Monday E-paper | Noon Thursday |
| Tuesday E-paper | Noon Friday |
| Wednesday Print & E-paper | 10:00 AM Monday |
| Thursday E-paper | Noon Tuesday |
| Friday E-paper | Noon Wednesday |
| Saturday Print & E-paper | 9:30 AM Thursday |
| Sunday E-paper | Noon Thursday |
Shopper
West Fargo Focus
West Fargo Focus is a monthly community magazine mailed to over 19,000 addresses — reaching the ENTIRE West Fargo community. Color is included in all rates.
Open Local Display — Print
| 1/8 Page | 1/4 Page H | 1/4 Page V | 1/2 Page H | 1/2 Page V | Full Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $350 | $575 | $575 | $875 | $875 | $1,650 |
Modular Ad Sizes
| Ad Size | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| 1/8 Page H | 4.96" × 2.38" |
| 1/4 Page H | 10.056" × 2.38" |
| 1/4 Page V | 4.96" × 4.9" |
| 1/2 Page H | 10.056" × 4.9" |
| 1/2 Page V | 4.96" × 9.93" |
| Full Page | 10.056" × 9.93" |
Monthly Materials Deadlines
| Issue Month | Materials Deadline |
|---|---|
| January | December 17 |
| February | January 15 |
| March | February 12 |
| April | March 19 |
| May | April 16 |
| June | May 14 |
| July | June 18 |
| August | July 16 |
| September | August 13 |
| October | September 17 |
| November | October 15 |
| December | November 12 |
Rate Notes & Terms
- Color is included in all rates.
- For ad sizes not listed, please consult your advertising representative.
- Materials: work required of The Forum — copy due on deadline. E-materials delivery (no work needed) — please consult your sales representative.
Contact
Get in touch
Phone
701-235-7311
Email
advertise@forumcomm.com
Web
advertising.forumcomm.com
Address
101 5th St N, Fargo, ND 58102-4826
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