How to complete this rate card: Fill in each [blue field] with your property's information. Expand any 💡 How to Set Your Rate panel for guidance on typical pricing. You don't need to offer every product — remove rows that don't apply.
1 Fill in publisher info from your analytics dashboard
2 Set rates using your traffic data and market position
3 Customize available inventory, targeting, and policies
4 Print or export — then share with advertisers
1

Publisher Information

Publisher / Property [Publisher Name]Your legal entity or brand name Website URL [www.example.com]Primary website URL
Monthly Unique Visitors [000,000]Find in Google Analytics → Audience → Overview Monthly Pageviews [0,000,000]Google Analytics → Behavior → Overview
Newsletter Subscribers [00,000]Your email platform (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.) Social Media Followers [00,000]Total across primary platforms
Primary Audience [Description]e.g., ‘Tech professionals, 25–45, US-based’ DMA / Market [Market Name]Your designated market area or metro region
2

Digital Pricing Models

ModelFull TermHow It WorksYour Rate
CPMCost Per Mille (Thousand)Pay per 1,000 impressions, regardless of clicks.[$0.00] / 1K
CPCCost Per ClickPay only when a user clicks on the ad.[$0.00] / click
CPACost Per ActionPay when a user completes a specific action (signup, purchase).[$0.00] / action
CPVCost Per ViewPay when a user watches a video ad (30 sec or completion).[$0.00] / view
vCPMViewable CPMCPM for verified viewable impressions only (50%+ pixels, 1+ sec).[$0.00] / 1K
Flat RateSponsorship / TakeoverFixed price for a specific ad slot for a set period.[$0,000] / [period]
Minimum Spend: Enter your minimum campaign requirement here: [$ Minimum]
💡 How to Determine Your Digital Rates

Your rates should reflect your audience size, audience quality (niche vs. general), engagement metrics, and market position.

Typical industry ranges: CPM rates vary widely — niche B2B publishers with high-value audiences typically command significantly higher CPMs than general-interest sites. Consider what comparable publishers in your vertical charge.

Key factors that increase your rate:

  • Niche, high-intent audience (finance, healthcare, enterprise tech)
  • Higher viewability scores (above 70%)
  • First-party data and targeting capabilities
  • Brand-safe, premium editorial environment
  • Low ad density (fewer ads per page = more value per unit)

Where to benchmark: Review competitor rate cards, consult industry reports from eMarketer or IAB, check programmatic floor prices in your ad server (GAM, AdX), and analyze your existing fill rate and eCPM data.

3

Standard IAB Display Ad Inventory

Desktop / Tablet Units

Ad UnitDimensions (px)Placement LocationRate (CPM / Flat)
Leaderboard728 × 90[e.g., Top of page, above the fold][$0.00]
Large Leaderboard970 × 90[e.g., Full-width top banner][$0.00]
Billboard970 × 250[e.g., High-impact mid-page][$0.00]
Medium Rectangle300 × 250[e.g., Sidebar / in-content][$0.00]
Large Rectangle336 × 280[e.g., In-content][$0.00]
Wide Skyscraper160 × 600[e.g., Right sidebar][$0.00]
Half-Page300 × 600[e.g., Premium sidebar][$0.00]
Portrait300 × 1050[e.g., Extra-tall sidebar][$0.00]

Mobile Units

Ad UnitDimensions (px)Placement LocationRate (CPM / Flat)
Mobile Banner320 × 50[e.g., Top of page][$0.00]
Large Mobile Banner320 × 100[e.g., Top/mid page][$0.00]
Mobile Med Rectangle300 × 250[e.g., In-content][$0.00]
Sticky / Anchor320 × 50[e.g., Fixed bottom of screen][$0.00]
Pro Tip: The 300×250 Medium Rectangle is the industry's highest-revenue ad unit. Sticky/Anchor ads deliver 80–90% viewability vs. 50–60% for standard banners.
💡 How to Price Display Inventory

Pricing display ads depends on placement visibility, ad size, and viewability.

General principle: Above-the-fold placements, larger ad units, and sticky/anchor ads command premium rates. The 300×250 and 728×90 are the most widely demanded units — price these competitively as they drive volume.

How to set placement rates:

  • Check your ad server (Google Ad Manager) for current eCPM by ad slot
  • Set direct-sold rates 2–5× above your programmatic eCPM floor
  • Premium positions (top of page, sticky) should be priced 30–100% above standard ROS
  • Mobile rates are typically lower per-unit but have higher viewability — price accordingly
4

Additional Digital Inventory

E-Newsletter Sponsorships

Newsletter ProductSubscribersFrequencyPlacementRate
Banner Ad (Top)[00,000][Daily / Weekly]Top of newsletter[$0,000] / send
Banner Ad (Mid)[00,000][Daily / Weekly]Mid-newsletter[$0,000] / send
Dedicated Send[00,000][Per request]Full sponsorship[$0,000] / send
Sponsored Text Link[00,000][Daily / Weekly]Inline text link[$000] / send
💡 How to Price Newsletter Sponsorships

Newsletter ad pricing is driven by subscriber count, open rate, and audience quality.

Pricing approach: Calculate your effective cost per open (total sends × open rate = opens). Dedicated sends command the highest premium since the advertiser gets 100% share of voice.
  • Find subscriber count in your email platform’s dashboard (Mailchimp, Beehiiv, ConvertKit, etc.)
  • Open rates above 40% justify premium pricing
  • Dedicated sends are typically 3–5× the price of a single banner placement
  • Consider offering package deals (e.g., 4-send bundles at a discount)

Video Advertising

Video ProductDurationFormatSkippable?Rate
Pre-Roll[:15 or :30]MP4 / H.264, 16:9[Yes / No][$0.00] CPV/CPM
Mid-Roll[:15 or :30]MP4 / H.264, 16:9[Yes / No][$0.00] CPV/CPM
In-Banner Video[:15 max]MP4, per ad unitN/A[$0.00] CPM
Outstream Video[:15 or :30]MP4 / H.264, 16:9[Yes / No][$0.00] CPV/CPM
💡 How to Price Video Ads

Video advertising commands premium rates due to higher engagement and completion tracking.

  • Pre-roll is the highest-value video product — price it above display CPMs
  • Use CPV (cost per view) for skippable ads and CPM for non-skippable
  • Check your video player analytics for average completion rates — share these with advertisers
  • Outstream video (auto-play in content) has lower completion but higher reach

Sponsored Content / Native Advertising

ProductDescriptionIncludesRate
Sponsored ArticlePublisher-written editorial-style article, labeled 'Sponsored'[Word count, images, links][$0,000] / article
Branded Content HubMulti-article section or dedicated landing page[# articles, duration][$0,000] / [period]
Native In-Feed AdAd styled to match editorial content feed[Image, headline, desc][$0.00] CPM
Social AmplificationCross-promotion via publisher social channels[Platforms, # posts][$0,000] / campaign

Rich Media / High-Impact Units

Ad ProductDescriptionSpecsRate
Interstitial / OverlayFull-screen ad between page loads[Responsive / 640×480][$0,000] / [period]
Expandable AdStarts standard, expands on interaction[300×250 to 600×500][$0.00] CPM
Site Skin / WallpaperCustom background around page content[Per publisher specs][$0,000] / [period]
Homepage TakeoverExclusive ownership of all homepage ad positions[All units, 24-hr][$0,000] / day
5

Available Targeting Options

Check which targeting capabilities your property offers and set surcharges accordingly.

Targeting TypeDescriptionSurcharge
ROS (Run of Site)Ad appears on any page across the entire website[Included / Base Rate]
Section TargetingAd limited to a specific content section (Sports, Business, etc.)[+$0.00 CPM]
Geo-TargetingAd shown only to users in a specific geographic area[+$0.00 CPM]
Behavioral TargetingTargets users based on browsing behavior and interests[+$0.00 CPM]
RetargetingShows ad to users who visited advertiser's website[+$0.00 CPM]
Device TargetingLimits delivery to desktop, mobile, or tablet[Included / +$0.00]
DaypartingAd runs only during specified hours of the day[+$0.00 CPM]
💡 How to Set Targeting Surcharges

Targeting surcharges reflect the added value of reaching a more specific audience.

  • ROS (Run of Site) should be your base rate — no surcharge
  • Section targeting typically adds 10–25% over ROS
  • Geo-targeting is premium — especially for local/regional advertisers
  • Behavioral and retargeting require DMP/data partnerships — price to cover data costs plus margin
  • Check which targeting options your ad server supports before listing them
6

Creative Technical Specifications

Share these specs with all advertisers and agencies submitting creative materials.

SpecificationRequirementNotes
File FormatsJPG, PNG, GIF (static); HTML5 (.zip)HTML5 must include a static backup image
Max File Size (Static)[150 KB] standard / [200 KB] maxSmaller files load faster
Max File Size (HTML5)[200 KB] initial / [300 KB] polite load'Polite load' = assets load after page
Max File Size (Video)[10–15 MB] MP4 / H.26416:9 aspect ratio; 15 or 30 seconds
Color ModeRGB onlyCMYK files will be rejected
Animation Length15 seconds max, 3 loopsMust end on static frame with clear CTA
Click-Through URLRequired (HTTPS only)Include tracking macros if needed
Third-Party TagsJavaScript or iFrame acceptedMust be pre-approved by ad ops
Viewability Standard≥70% viewable (MRC)50%+ pixels visible for 1+ second

Submission Deadlines

Ad ProductMaterials DueCancellation Deadline
Standard Display[X] business days before launch[X] business days before launch
HTML5 / Rich Media[X] business days before launch[X] business days before launch
Pre-Roll Video[X] business days before launch[X] business days before launch
E-Newsletter[X] business days before send[X] business days before send
Sponsored Content[X] business days before publish[X] business days before publish
7

Policies & General Terms

  • Minimum campaign spend: [$0,000]
  • Insertion Orders (IO) required for all campaigns exceeding [$0,000]
  • Payment terms: [Net 30 / Prepay / Credit Card]
  • Cancellation: [X days] written notice prior to campaign start
  • Make-goods for under-delivery exceeding [X%] of guaranteed impressions
  • Publisher reserves the right to reject creative not meeting editorial or technical standards
  • All rates based on [ROS / Premium / Section] placement unless specified
  • Rates subject to change; contact your AdSell sales representative for current availability

Contact Advertising Sales

Email: greg@adsell.ai
Web: adsell.ai

For custom packages, multi-platform bundles, or programmatic buying inquiries, reach out directly.
AdSell.ai  |  Digital Advertising Rate Card  |  Page 1 of 1
How to complete this rate card: Fill in each [blue field] with your publication’s information. Expand any 💡 How to Set Your Rate panel for guidance on typical pricing structures.
1 Enter publication details from your media kit or ABC/AAM statement
2 Set open rates and frequency discounts based on market comparables
3 List available ad sizes, premiums, and production specs
4 Print or export — then distribute to agencies and advertisers
1

Publication Information

Publication Name [Publication Name]Your masthead / title name Publisher / Group [Publisher Group]Parent company or media group
Frequency [Daily / Weekly / Monthly]How often you publish Market / Region [Market Name]DMA or geographic coverage area
Paid Circulation [00,000]From your ABC/AAM audit or BPA statement Est. Readership [000,000]Typically 2–3× paid circulation (pass-along)
Print + Digital [00,000]Combined print subscribers + digital edition Verified By [AAM / CVC / Self]AAM (Alliance for Audited Media) or self-reported
2

Print Buying Models & Rate Structure

Open Rate & Frequency Discounts

Rate TypeDescriptionRate / Discount
Open Rate (1x)Standard single-insertion rate, no commitment[$0.00] PCI / [$0,000] per page
3x FrequencyRate for 3 insertions within contract period[$0.00] PCI / [X%] off open
6x FrequencyRate for 6 insertions within contract period[$0.00] PCI / [X%] off open
12x FrequencyRate for 12 insertions within contract period[$0.00] PCI / [X%] off open
26x FrequencyRate for 26 insertions (weekly for 6 months)[$0.00] PCI / [X%] off open
52x FrequencyRate for 52 insertions (weekly for 1 year)[$0.00] PCI / [X%] off open
PCI Formula: PCI = Per Column Inch. Calculate: Columns × Depth (inches) × PCI Rate. Example: 3-col × 10" at $15 PCI = $450

Color & Premium Surcharges

OptionDescriptionSurcharge
B&W (Standard)Black and white, standard printing[Included in base rate]
Spot Color (1 color)One additional PMS spot color[+$000] per insertion
Full Color (CMYK)Four-color process printing[+$000] / [+X% of ad rate]
Preferred PositionGuaranteed specific page or section[+15–25%] of ad rate
💡 How to Determine Your Print Rates

Print rates are driven by circulation, market exclusivity, audience demographics, and competitive positioning.

PCI (Per Column Inch) approach: Your open rate PCI × total column inches = ad cost. Start with your cost-per-thousand-circulation and work backward. Frequency discounts typically range from 5% (3×) to 30% (52×) off the open rate.

Key pricing considerations:

  • Review competing publications’ rate cards in your market (often available in their media kits)
  • Factor in your cost per printed page — your rate must exceed production cost by your target margin
  • Full color surcharges typically range from 15–40% above B&W base
  • Preferred position premiums are standard at 15–25% above ROP
  • If your publication is the only one serving a specific niche or geography, you have pricing power

Where to find benchmarks: Request competitor media kits, check SRDS (Standard Rate and Data Service), consult your state press association rate surveys, and review past insertion orders for historical pricing.

3

Newspaper Ad Sizes (SAU Modular)

Ad SizeSAU (Col × In)Approx. DimensionsCol. InchesOpen RateFreq. Rate
Full Page6 × 21"10.87" × 21"126[$0,000][$0,000]
Half Page Horiz.6 × 10.5"10.87" × 10.5"63[$0,000][$0,000]
Half Page Vert.3 × 21"5.38" × 21"63[$0,000][$0,000]
Quarter Page3 × 10.5"5.38" × 10.5"31.5[$0,000][$000]
1/3 Page Vert.2 × 21"3.56" × 21"42[$0,000][$000]
1/8 Page3 × 5.25"5.38" × 5.25"15.75[$000][$000]
Strip Ad (Horiz.)6 × 3"10.87" × 3"18[$000][$000]
Double Truck12 × 21"22.625" × 21"252[$0,000][$0,000]
Pro Tip: Tabloid sizes are roughly half the broadsheet depth (~10.5–14"). Always confirm exact column width per title.
💡 How to Price Newspaper Ad Sizes

Newspaper pricing is based on the PCI × column inches formula. Larger ads cost proportionally more, but many publishers offer bulk size discounts.

  • Full page should be priced below 126 × PCI rate — offer a slight volume discount
  • Half-page ads are the sweet spot for most advertisers — price competitively
  • Double trucks command a significant premium (2× full page + a margin) due to high impact
  • Confirm your exact column width and depth with your production department before publishing
  • Tabloid formats use different SAU grids — verify your publication’s specific grid
4

Magazine Ad Sizes

Ad UnitBleed Size (W × H)Trim Size (W × H)Live AreaRate
Full Page (Bleed)8.625" × 11.125"8.375" × 10.875"7.75" × 10"[$0,000]
Full Page (Non-Bleed)N/A8.375" × 10.875"7.375" × 10"[$0,000]
2-Page Spread17.25" × 11.125"16.75" × 10.875"16.5" × 10"[$0,000]
½ Page Horizontal8.625" × 5.625"8.375" × 5.375"7.5" × 4.75"[$0,000]
½ Page Vertical4.625" × 11.125"4.375" × 10.875"3.75" × 9.75"[$0,000]
1/3 Page Vertical2.875" × 11.125"2.625" × 10.875"2.25" × 9.75"[$0,000]
¼ Page8.625" × 3.125"8.375" × 2.875"7.5" × 2.25"[$0,000]
Gatefold[Per publisher][Per publisher][Per publisher][$0,000]
Pro Tip: Always request the publisher's exact mechanical specs. Even "standard" sizes vary by a fraction of an inch.
5

Premium Placements & Inserts

Premium Position Rates

PositionDescriptionPremium / Rate
Outside Back Cover (OBC)Highest premium; best recall of any print position[$0,000] / [+X%]
Inside Front Cover (IFC)Second-highest premium cover position[$0,000] / [+X%]
Inside Back Cover (IBC)Strong cover position with high visibility[$0,000] / [+X%]
Center SpreadMaximum visual impact double-page unit[$0,000] / [+X%]
Front Page / Section FrontHighest premium position (newspaper)[$0,000] / [+X%]
Back Page (Newspaper)High visibility, second-tier premium[$0,000] / [+X%]
Right-Hand Near EditorialStrong readership adjacency[+X% over ROP]
ROP (Run of Paper)Standard at publisher's discretion[Base rate]

Preprinted Inserts & FSIs

Insert TypeSize / WeightDistributionRate (per 1,000)
FSI (Free Standing Insert)[Standard / Tabloid][Full run / Zoned][$00.00] per M
Single-Sheet Insert[8.5" × 11" / Custom][Full run / Zoned][$00.00] per M
Multi-Page Insert[4-page / 8-page / 12-page][Full run / Zoned][$00.00] per M
Card Insert (BRC)[3.5" × 5" / Custom][Bound-in / Blow-in][$00.00] per M
Polybag / Bellyband[Custom wrap][Full run][$00.00] per M
💡 How to Price Premium & Insert Rates

Premium positions are limited inventory with proven higher recall — price them accordingly.

  • Cover positions (OBC, IFC, IBC) typically carry 25–100% premiums over inside ROP
  • The Outside Back Cover (OBC) is the single most valuable print position — price it highest
  • Front section and right-hand page premiums are typically 15–25%
  • Insert pricing is per-thousand (CPM) — get quotes from your printing plant for weight-based handling costs and add your margin
  • Zoned distribution for inserts is increasingly valuable — charge more for targeted zones
6

Print Production Specifications

SpecificationNewspaper (SNAP)Magazine (SWOP)
File FormatPDF/X-1a (preferred)PDF/X-1a (preferred)
Color ModeCMYK onlyCMYK only
Resolution200 dpi minimum300 dpi minimum
BleedTypically non-bleed1/8" (0.125") all sides
Safe / Live AreaN/A for most units1/4" (0.25") inside trim
FontsEmbedded or outlinedEmbedded or outlined
Max Ink Coverage≤ 240%≤ 300%
Line Screen85–100 lpi133–150 lpi
Paper StockNewsprint (absorbent)Coated stock
Dot GainHigh (26–30%)Moderate (18–22%)
ProofingSNAP newsprint proofSWOP / G7 certified

Material Deadlines

ProductSpace ReservationMaterials DueCancellation
Daily Newspaper[X] biz days prior[X] biz days prior[X] biz days prior
Weekly Newspaper[X] biz days prior[X] biz days prior[X] biz days prior
Monthly Magazine[X] weeks prior[X] weeks prior[X] weeks prior
Premium Positions[X] weeks prior[X] weeks prior[X] weeks prior
Preprinted Inserts[X] weeks prior[X] weeks prior[X] weeks prior

Print Ad Submission Checklist

  • PDF/X-1a file format
  • 300 dpi CMYK (200 dpi OK for newsprint)
  • Fonts embedded or outlined
  • Correct bleed (1/8") if applicable
  • Text/logos inside safe area (1/4" from trim)
  • Matches exact publication trim size
  • Proof attached (SNAP or SWOP/G7)
7

Policies & General Terms

  • Open rate applies to all non-contracted insertions
  • Frequency contracts must be fulfilled within [12 months / contract period]
  • Short rate: Unfulfilled frequency contracts billed at the earned rate
  • Payment terms: [Net 30 / Prepay / Credit Approved]
  • Agency commission: [15%] for recognized agencies
  • Cancellation: [X days/weeks] written notice before space closing
  • Publisher reserves the right to reject advertising not meeting editorial standards
  • Rates effective [Date], subject to change with [30/60/90 days] notice

Contact Advertising Sales

Email: greg@adsell.ai
Web: adsell.ai

For custom ad sizes, multi-title packages, classified ads, or legal notice rates, reach out directly.
This rate card is a template. All [bracketed fields] should be replaced with publication-specific information. Print standards referenced from SNAP, SWOP/GRACoL, and SAU systems.
AdSell.ai  |  Print Advertising Rate Card  |  Page 1 of 1