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Metropolis Print Issue Creative Guidelines

Learn how to prepare your partner content for Metropolis with best practices on image quality, ad types, and submission requirements.

After your media plan or contract is finalized, our project management team will create a unique submission form for your required materials. They will contact to you by email with the due date and a link to upload materials. For detailed insights, please select one of the links below to explore this article further.

Metropolis Print-Ready Ad

Metropolis Advertorial

Metropolis Product Showcase

Metropolis Print-Ready Ad

It is recommended to align your print-ready ad content with the Metropolis voice and focus on a theme that is relevant, informative, and engaging for the reader. Editorial coverage is detailed by issue on the Metropolis 2025 Edit Calendar.

Example Metropolis Full Page: View Here

Example Metropolis Spread: View Here

📑 Requirements for your submission

Before completing your submission, prepare your print-ready ad file to meet the required specs for your specific ad size and placement.

File Preparation Essentials For Your Print-Ready Ad:

  • Color Profile: all ads must be U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2
  • Bleed: all ads should include a full bleed (.125” beyond trim on each side) with crop marks indicating the trim area
  • File Type: high-resolution press-ready PDF (300 dpi, PDFX-1A)

Completing Your Print-Ready Ad Submission:

AdShuttle should be used to process your Metropolis print-ready ad submission. Please make sure to access the platform from the SANDOW AdShuttle link provided. Guidelines for setting up an account and using AdShuttle can be found in this Knowledge Base article:

Interior Design and Metropolis AdShuttle Guidelines

SANDOW AdShuttle Log In Page

🖼️ What your designer needs to know about image quality and file specs

As a best practice, high-resolution and professionally shot images are recommended, showcasing lifestyle or room settings with bright colors and unique interior or architectural features.

File Specifications:

  • Bleed: .125” beyond trim on each side
  • Safety: place live elements 0.375” from trim on all sides, we recommend spreads place live elements 0.375” from each side of the gutter
  • Required File Type: PDFX-1A (single page files only)
  • Maximum File Size: 100 MB 
  • Maximum Ink Density: 280 dpi recommended
  • Color Profile: CMYK
  • Rich Black is recommended to avoid text drop off (C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:95)
  • Image Resolution: 300 dpi minimum
  • Embed all graphics and fonts

Trim and Bleed Requirements:

Specifications for your Metropolis print-ready ad should match the following trim and bleed requirements:

MET Print Issue Creative Guidelines_chart v3

Preflighting Resources For Graphic Designers:

Print-ready creatives must include a full bleed and should be exported as a PDFX-1A. Feel free utilize the following resources while preparing your creative:

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Metropolis Advertorial

It is recommended to align your advertorial content with the Metropolis voice and focus on a theme that is relevant, informative, and engaging for the reader. Editorial coverage is detailed by issue on the Metropolis 2025 Edit Calendar.

Example Advertorial Full Page: View Here

Example Advertorial Full Page + Opposite Brand Ad: View Here

📑 Assets required for your submission form

To create your print advertorial, the following assets are needed:

  • Images: 5-10 images without copy or branding
  • Copy Points: press release or reference materials for article content

Advertorial + Opposite Brand Ad:
If your print advertorial is formatted to a spread with an accompanying brand ad, please submit the print-ready ad file using SANDOW's AdShuttle.

🖼️ What you need to know about image quality

As a best practice, high-resolution and professionally shot images are recommended, showcasing lifestyle or room settings with bright colors and unique interior or architectural features.

Image Specifications:

  • Image Resolution: 300 dpi
  • Color Mode: CMYK

Advertorial proofs:

Metropolis editors will write and design the layout, ensuring the content remains clear and concise. The Metropolis production team will share a proof of the advertorial for your review and approval.

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Metropolis Product Showcase

It is recommended to align your Product Showcase content with the Metropolis voice and focus on a theme that is relevant, informative, and engaging for the reader. Editorial coverage is detailed by issue on the Metropolis 2025 Edit Calendar.

Example Metropolis Product Showcase: View Here

📑 Assets required for your submission form


To create your 1/4 page "Product Showcase" placement, the following assets are needed:

  • Image: 1 image without copy or branding
  • Product Description: 60 words maximum

🖼️ What you need to know about image quality

As a best practice, images should be high-resolution and professionally shot, showcasing lifestyle or room settings with bright colors and unique interior or architectural features.

Image Specifications:

  • Image Resolution: 350 dpi
  • Color Mode: CMYK
  • Image Size: 8.5x6.5"

Product Showcase Proofs:

Metropolis editors will write and design the layout, ensuring the content remains clear and concise. The Metropolis production team will share a proof of the "Product Showcase" for your review and approval.

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