Compelling Comprehensive Content.
News, profiles, lifestyles, and Ann Arbor’s best calendar of events.
Deadlines & Publication Schedule
Ann Arbor Observer
| Space Reserved | Materials Due | Publication Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January (Restaurants & Dining) | 11/26 | 12/6 | 12/23 |
| February | 1/3 | 1/13 | 1/27 |
| March (Summer Camps & Activities) | 1/30 | 2/10 | 2/24 |
| April (Summer Camps & Activities) | 2/27 | 3/10 | 3/25 |
| May (Health & Wellness) | 4/1 | 4/10 | 4/25 |
| June | 4/29 | 5/9 | 5/23 |
| July | 5/29 | 6/10 | 6/25 |
| August | 6/27 | 7/11 | 7/25 |
| September (Senior Living & Services) | 7/29 | 8/11 | 8/25 |
| October | 8/28 | 9/10 | 9/24 |
| November | 10/2 | 10/10 | 10/24 |
| December (Holiday Guide) | 10/28 | 11/10 | 11/24 |
Community Guide
| Space Reserved | Materials Due | Publication Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 Community Guide | 9/11 | 9/23 | 10/6 |
City Guide
| Space Reserved | Materials Due | Publication Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 City Guide | 6/12 | 7/25 | 8/8 |
Ann Arbor Observer Rates
Rates listed are per insertion and based on the number of ads placed (1x–18x) within a 12-month contract term.
Additional charge for color: $350 for full color, $150 for one spot or one process color.
Rates
| 1x | 3x | 6x | 9x | 12x | 14x | 15x | 16x | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Page Spread | 7,508 | 7,207 | 6,759 | 6,382 | 6,006 | 5,636 | 5,317 | 5,062 |
| Full Page | 3,965 | 3,804 | 3,567 | 3,370 | 3,174 | 2,973 | 2,811 | 2,672 |
| 3/4 Page | 3,222 | 2,961 | 2,738 | 2,578 | 2,415 | 2,257 | 2,130 | 2,028 |
| 1/2 + 1/16 | 2,739 | 2,516 | 2,329 | 2,195 | 2,058 | 1,918 | 1,813 | 1,722 |
| 1/2 Page | 2,471 | 2,272 | 2,098 | 1,973 | 1,851 | 1,731 | 1,631 | 1,553 |
| 1/4 + 1/8 | 1,975 | 1,821 | 1,682 | 1,585 | 1,485 | 1,386 | 1,308 | 1,244 |
| 1/4 + 1/16 | 1,703 | 1,567 | 1,448 | 1,364 | 1,282 | 1,191 | 1,128 | 1,070 |
| 1/4 Page | 1,342 | 1,239 | 1,141 | 1,076 | 1,006 | 942 | 889 | 850 |
| 1/8 + 1/16 | 1,091 | 1,004 | 932 | 877 | 821 | 765 | 722 | 687 |
| 1/8 Page | 769 | 713 | 655 | 616 | 579 | 540 | 510 | 488 |
| 1/16 Page | 485 | 446 | 412 | 391 | 366 | 337 | 317 | 305 |
Premium Placement
| 1x | 3x | 6x | 9x | 12x | 14x | 15x | 16x | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Front Cover | 5,415 | 5,265 | 5,109 | 4,958 | 4,882 | 4,726 | 4,408 | 4,202 |
| Page 1 | 4,874 | 4,852 | 4,694 | 4,526 | 4,449 | 4,285 | 4,045 | 3,848 |
| Page 2 | 4,081 | 3,931 | 3,698 | 3,464 | 3,315 | 3,236 | 3,055 | 2,910 |
| Page 3 | 4,934 | 4,752 | 4,610 | 4,449 | 4,372 | 4,208 | 3,969 | 3,782 |
| Page 4 | 4,081 | 3,931 | 3,698 | 3,464 | 3,315 | 3,236 | 3,055 | 2,910 |
| Page 5 | 4,934 | 4,752 | 4,610 | 4,449 | 4,372 | 4,208 | 3,969 | 3,782 |
| Page 6 | 4,081 | 3,931 | 3,698 | 3,464 | 3,315 | 3,236 | 3,055 | 2,910 |
| Page 7 (3/4V Masthead) | 3,560 | 3,315 | 3,153 | 2,993 | 2,834 | 2,671 | 2,516 | 2,398 |
| Page 9 (1/2V T of C) | 3,051 | 2,900 | 2,751 | 2,615 | 2,485 | 2,360 | 2,244 | 2,131 |
| Center Spread | 8,173 | 7,873 | 7,425 | 7,054 | 6,674 | 6,300 | 5,981 | 5,701 |
| Inside Back Cover | 4,790 | 4,650 | 4,503 | 4,357 | 4,213 | 4,141 | 3,838 | 3,656 |
| Back Cover | 6,874 | 6,470 | 6,228 | 6,065 | 5,903 | 5,746 | 5,420 | 5,158 |
Service Ads
| 1x | 3x | 6x | 9x | 12x | 14x | 15x | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1” (2.33”W x 1"H) | 246 | 218 | 196 | 180 | 170 | 165 | 154 |
| 1.5” (2.33”W x 1.5"H) | 289 | 271 | 244 | 236 | 218 | 207 | 196 |
| 2” (2.33”W x 2"H) | 314 | 301 | 271 | 260 | 244 | 233 | 218 |
| 2.5” (2.33”W x 2.5"H) | 361 | 344 | 313 | 301 | 278 | 267 | 255 |
| 3” (2.33”W x 3"H) | 410 | 397 | 358 | 341 | 322 | 308 | 293 |
Tabloid format size for Ann Arbor Observer and City Guide
PLEASE forward this information to your designer. It is very important that ad submissions meet these guidelines to ensure the best possible print quality.
OR let one of our designers create an ad for you, free of charge. Ask your advertising representative for details.
For additional or updated information, or if you have any questions about our production specifications and guidelines, please contact the Observer at
ads@aaobserver.com
Tabloid Sizes
| SIZES | Inches | PREFERRED picas |
|---|---|---|
| Centerspread | 19.75 x 13 | 118.5 x 78 |
| Full Page | 9.833 x 13 | 59 x 78 |
| 3/4 Vertical | 7.333 x 13 | 44 x 78 |
| 1/2+1/16 vertical | 7.333 x 9.667 | 44 x 58 |
| 1/2 vertical | 4.833 x 13 | 29 x 78 |
| 1/2 horizontal | 9.833 x 6.417 | 59 x 38.5 |
| 1/4+1/8 vertical | 4.833 x 9.667 | 29 x 58 |
| 1/4+1/8 horizontal | 7.333 x 6.417 | 44 x 38.5 |
| 1/4+1/16 vertical | 4.833 x 8 | 29 x 48 |
| 1/4 standard | 4.833 x 6.417 | 29 x 38.5 |
| 1/4 vertical | 2.333 x 13 | 14 x 78 |
| 1/4 horizontal | 9.833 x 3.167 | 59 x 19 |
| 1/8+1/16 cube | 4.833 x 4.75 | 29 x 28.5 |
| 1/8+1/16 vertical | 2.333 x 9.667 | 14 x 58 |
| 1/8+1/16 horizontal | 7.333 x 3.167 | 44 x 19 |
| 1/8 vertical | 2.333 x 6.417 | 14 x 38.5 |
| 1/8 horizontal | 4.833 x 3.167 | 29 x 19 |
| 1/16 vertical | 2.333 x 3.167 | 14 x 19 |
| 1/16 horizontal | 4.833 x 1.5 | 29 x 9 |
Color profiles and proofs
The Ann Arbor Observer is a stitched and trimmed 10.5”x 13.5” magazine printed web offset on recycled paper. The cover is printed on 50-lb. white offset paper. The text is printed on 30-lb. premium grade newsprint.
The Observer is printed using current newsprint guidelines and color profiles. While improvements have been made over the years in the processes for reproducing process color on newsprint, these standards cannot guarantee the same level of color matching that is achieved in magazine, catalog, sheetfed, gravure or heat-set printing.
For especially critical colors, we advise ordering a calibrated proof of your ad in advance to provide a closer approximation of how your ad will appear in print. There is no charge for this proof.
NOTE: Do not take measurements from the magazine. All ads must be to the exact measurements specified on this page.
See guidelines for preparing digital files on page 15 of the Media Guide.
Sending Files
Email files: ads@aaobserver.com or use a file transfer service like Dropbox, Hightail, WeTransfer, etc.
You may also submit files on CD, DVD, or USB portable memory device.
Text
Keep all text at 8pt or higher. Only non-serif type at 12 points or above should be used in cmyk trapping and reverses.
Color
All documents should be in CMYK color. Convert all spot colors and RGB images to CMYK. Do not use rich black or registration black. Keep total ink density below 225% in colors and images.
Imagery
Use only CMYK or grayscale images in your design layout. Submit photos at 300 ppi. Please respect all copyright laws that apply to any images you use.
Cropmarks
No need for crop marks! Your file should be the exact dimensions specified in our Media Guide. Do not include a bleed unless you have made special arrangements (available on cover pages only).
a2View Banner Ads
Ann Arbor Observer’s weekly e-newsletter sent Thursdays to 13,000+.
To reserve space, adsales@aaobserver.com
To subscribe, email a2view@aaobserver.com
a2View Rates
| Banner ad with website link | ||||
| 800 pixels wide by 400 pixels high | ||||
| First placement: | ||||
| 1x: 432 | 2x: 411 | 3x: 389 | 4x: 368 | |
| Second placement | ||||
| 1x: 324 | 2x: 303 | 3x: 281 | 4x: 260 | |
| Third placement | ||||
| 1x: 216 | 2x: 195 | 3x: 172 | 4x: 152 | |
| Fourth placement | ||||
| 1x: 162 | 2x: 141 | 3x: 118 | 4x: 98 | |
Circulation
EVERY permanent residence and chamber business in
ANN ARBOR • SALINE • CHELSEA • DEXTER
Ann Arbor’s Biggest Market.
The Ann Arbor Observer reaches 100% of Ann Arbor homeowners, thousands of apartment residents, and all Washtenaw County Chamber of Commerce members.
READERSHIP SURVEY*
September 2022 AnnArborObserver.com
- 87% of our readers keep each issue at least two weeks
- 98% rate editorial quality as excellent or good
- 97% read the Observer as much for ads as for our compelling editorial content
- 90% visited a business or used a product after seeing it advertised in the Observer
- 77% of our readers have a bachelor’s degree or higher
*Circulation audited by Circulation Verification Council (CVC) September, 2022.
Circulation Numbers
| Circulation | Readership | |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor Observer | 53,000 Monthly | 106,000 Monthly |
| City Guide | 53,500 Annually | 107,000 Annually |
| Community Guide | 20,500 Twice Yearly | 41,000 Twice Yearly |
| Guest Guide | 10,000 Biennial | 2,100,000 Biennial |
Ann Arbor Observer by the Numbers
| by Zip Code | Circulation |
|---|---|
| 48103 Ann Arbor | 20,331 |
| 48104 Ann Arbor | 8,047 |
| 48105 Ann Arbor | 10,049 |
| 48108 Ann Arbor | 8,314 |
| 48106, 48107, 48109 & 48111 Ann Arbor | 63 |
| 48118 Chelsea, 48130 Dexter, 48176 Saline 48158 Manchester | 921 |
| 48197 & 48198 Ypsilanti | 4,020 |
| 48116 Brighton, 48169 Pinckney, & 48189 Whitmore Lake | 94 |
| 48160 Milan | 24 |
| 48170 Plymouth | 119 |
| Toledo, N. W. Ohio, & Other U.S. Cities | 465 |
| Total | 52,447 |
*Circulation audited by Circulation Verification Council (CVC) September, 2019.
| Requested & Nonpaid Circulation | Ann Arbor Observer | City Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Family Homes | 43,500 | 43,500 |
| Apartments, Townhomes, & Retirement Centers | 5,200 | 5,200 |
| Real Estate Offices & Hotels | 490 | 540 |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | - | 50 |
| Chamber of Commerce Members | ||
| Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti | 500 | 500 |
| Chelsea | 135 | 135 |
| Dexter | 115 | 115 |
| Manchester | - | - |
| Saline | 175 | 175 |
| Chamber Offices | 100 | 200 |
| Advertisers | 365 | 365 |
| Comps | 60 | 60 |
| Requested & Nonpaid Circulation Total: | 50,640 | 50,840 |
| Paid Circulation | Ann Arbor Observer | City Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Paid Subscribers | 1,560 | 1,560 |
| Retail | 300 | 400 |
| Special Orders | 50 | 100 |
| Paid Circulation Total | 1,910 | 2,060 |
| Marketing & Office | 450 | 600 |
| Total Circulation* | 53,000 | 53,500 |
Community Guide: Chelsea, Dexter, & Saline by the numbers
| Requested & Nonpaid Circulation | Community Guide |
|---|---|
| Chelsea | 4,075 |
| Dexter | 5,180 |
| Saline | 7,180 |
| Total Single-Family Homes | 16,435 |
| Condominiums, Apartments & Retirement Centers | 620 |
| Real Estate Offices | 325 |
| Chamber of Commerce Offices/Members | 1,425 |
| Libraries | 190 |
| Comps | 20 |
| Advertisers | 365 |
| Requested & Nonpaid Circulation Total: | 19,380 |
| Paid Circulation | Community Guide |
|---|---|
| Retail, Subscriptions, & Special Orders | 100 |
| AAO-Volpay subs with CMO sub | 550 |
| Marketing & Files | 470 |
| Total Circulation* | 20,500 |
*Circulation audited by Circulation Verification Council (CVC) September, 2019.
