Wadena Pioneer Journal — Rates, Specs & Deadlines
Wadena Pioneer Journal has served the Wadena area for 129 years, providing local news, information and advertising opportunities for Wadena and surrounding communities.
2026 Rate Card
Open Local Display — Print
| Ad Size | Dimensions | Open Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1/24 page | 3.26" × 2.38" | $50 b/w · $70 color |
| 1/16 page | 4.96" × 2.38" | $80 b/w · $130 color |
| 1/12 page | 3.26" × 4.9" | $133 b/w · $200 color |
| 1/8 page | 10.056" × 2.38" or 4.96" × 4.9" | $221 b/w · $287.50 color |
| 1/4 page | 10.056" × 4.9" or 4.96" × 9.93" | $369 b/w · $550 color |
| 1/2 page | 10.056" × 9.93" or 4.96" × 20" | $615 b/w · $1,000 color |
| Full page | 10.056" × 20" | $1,025 b/w · $1,750 color |
| 1/2 page Double Truck | — | $1,250 b/w · $1,750 color |
| Full page Double Truck | — | $2,500 b/w · $3,500 |
Premium Ad Positions
| Premium Position | Dimensions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Front Page Banner — Label | 8.35" × 2.38" | $175 |
| Front Page Corner Nook (1/12) | 3.26" × 4.9" | $175 |
| Front Page Skybox (1/24) | 3.26" × 2.38" | $175 |
Frequency Program (per-insertion rate)
| Frequency | Full | Half | Quarter | Eighth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open (1×) | $1,025 | $615 | $369 | $221 |
| 13× | $615 | $369 | $221 | $133 |
| 26× | $410 | $246 | $148 | — |
| 52× | $205 | $123 | — | — |
- 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.
Mechanical Specifications
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.
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.
Image Resolution
| Setting | Specification |
|---|---|
| Recommended | 300 DPI |
| Minimum | 200 DPI |
Images below the minimum resolution may appear soft or pixelated when printed.
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.
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 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).
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.
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.
Print Ad Dimensions — Broadsheet
Modular standards for broadsheet publications across Forum Communications. Build ads to the exact dimensions shown.
Standard Sizes
Small & Specialty Sizes
Double Truck
Front Page Premium Spots
- 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.
Print Ad Dimensions — Tabloid
Modular standards for tabloid publications across Forum Communications.
Standard Sizes
Double Truck
Submission Deadlines
| Publication Day | Space, Copy & Cancellation Deadline |
|---|---|
| Monday E-paper | Thursday 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday E-paper | Thursday 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday E-paper | Friday 2:00 PM |
| Thursday Print & E-paper | Monday 12:00 PM |
| Friday E-paper | Tuesday 1:00 PM |
| Saturday E-paper | Wednesday 2:00 PM |
| Sunday E-paper | Wednesday 5:00 PM |
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