Advertise in Reporter
Reporter, the official newspaper of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (LCMS), is the Synod’s principal means of reaching its members — the churches and workers of the LCMS. In 2024, Reporter turned 50 years old!
For five decades, Reporter has kept the churches and workers of the LCMS informed about the news, people, events and resources that equip them for ministry.
The print edition of Reporter reaches the most influential mailboxes in the Synod every month, and the digital edition (reporter.lcms.org) carries that reach even further, as content is emailed to subscribers and shared with countless others on the Synod’s website and social media channels.
Watch your reach grow as new customers find you through your advertisements both in print and online. Add visibility to your important message, and be at the top of our audience’s mind when they are looking for the good or service you provide!
For more information about print, digital or slick insert advertising in Reporter, email bonnie.parker@lcms.org.
View Reporter media kit
| Edition | Ad Cut-off Date* | Ad Art Due | Mail/Delivery Date |
| January 2025 | 11/27/2024 | 12/4/2024 | 12/12/2024 |
| February 2025 | 1/8/2025 | 1/15/2025 | 1/23/2025 |
| March 2025 | 2/5/2025 | 2/12/2025 | 2/20/2025 |
| April 2025 | 3/5/2025 | 3/12/2025 | 3/20/2025 |
| May 2025 | 4/9/2025 | 4/16/2025 | 4/24/2025 |
| June 2025 | 5/7/2025 | 5/14/2025 | 5/22/2025 |
| July 2025 | 6/4/2025 | 6/11/2025 | 6/19/2025 |
| August 2025 | 7/9/2025 | 7/16/2025 | 7/24/2025 |
| September 2025 | 8/6/2025 | 8/13/2025 | 8/21/2025 |
| October 2025 | 9/3/2025 | 9/10/2025 | 9/18/2025 |
| November 2025 | 10/1/2025 | 10/8/2025 | 10/16/2025 |
| December 2025 | 10/29/2025 | 11/5/2025 | 11/20/25 |
| January 2026 | 11/26/2025 | 12/3/2025 | 12/18/2025 |
Digital ads will post to the website on the first day of the month for which advertising is contracted.
Please note: All “Notices” are due on the 10th of the month preceding each issue. For example, Jan. 10 is the due date for the February issue.
* Deadline for receipt of inserts printed elsewhere and shipped to Breese Journal & Publishing.
| Ad Size | 1X | 3X | 6X |
| Tall Sidebar Ad | $1,410 | $1,295 | $1,235 |
| Sidebar Ad | $700 | $630 | $590 |
| Post Ad | $490 | $450 | $420 |
| Ad Size | Wide (pixels) | Tall (pixels) |
| Tall Sidebar Ad | 336 | 560 |
| Sidebar Ad | 336 | 280 |
| Post Ad | 468 | 140 |
File formats — JPG or PNG
Include master layer Photoshop file or TIFF if available
Recommended 16pt font size
Tools for creating the files: Photoshop, Illustrator, canva.com
Reference article: 14 Design Practices For Display Ads
| Ad Size | 1X | 3X | 6X |
| Full Page | $4,305 | $4,090 | $3,915 |
| 1/2 Page | $2,420 | $2,300 | $2,180 |
| 1/4 Page | $1,410 | $1,340 | $1,285 |
| 1/8 Page | $810 | $770 | $730 |
NOTE: Increased frequency lowers your rate and increases the impact of your advertising campaign.
| Size | Inches Wide | Inches Tall |
| Full Page | 10.375 | 15.75 |
|
1/2 Page
|
10.375 | 7.75 |
| 1/4 Page | 4 | 10 |
| 6.25 | 6.75 | |
| 8.25 | 4.75 | |
| 1/8 Page | 2 | 10.25 |
| 4 | 5 | |
| 6.25 | 3.5 |
Note: Each Reporter page measures 11 x 17 inches.
Reporter accepts advertisements for products and services that are nationally available and would be used by congregations and their members.
If you are interested in placing an ad with Reporter, email Bonnie Parker at bonnie.parker@lcms.org or call 314-996-1202 to determine if space is available.
Provide us with the following information to be reviewed by the executive editor:
- A description of your company and services,
- A description of your product,
- Intended ad message, and
- Sample ad copy, if available.
Upon approval, we will send you a confirmation letter and contract detailing your insertion orders, rates and terms.
Note: We reserve the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time.
Reporter does not provide ad composition services. The following information should guide you when producing your ads:
Print Guidelines
Requirements
- All ad elements must be in CMYK. Black text, borders and rules must be in 100% black. Black-and-white images must be in Grayscale mode. Do not use RGB, spot colors or LAB color anywhere.
- Total ink coverage (the sum of percentages of each ink used in a four-color process mix) must not exceed 260%. This applies to all four-color process elements: text, strokes, fills, etc. For example, 100% cyan + 100% magenta + 40% yellow + 5% black = 245%. The smaller this number, the better.
- No bleeds.
- Photo resolution minimum 200 dpi, maximum 300 dpi.
- File format — high-res PDF.
Recommendations
- Try to keep your design simple to improve printability and readability.
- Large areas of color, or ads that are all reversed out of a color, should be avoided. The amount of ink will lead to smudging as well as changes in hue, density and registration.
- Sans serif fonts will print better than serif fonts, especially in smaller text. The light, extra-light or thin version of fonts may be too light to read, particularly in color. Small text should always be set to black and not reversed out of a color.
- Use color text sparingly. Black text prints best.
- Avoid overlaying color text on a color background. Often there is not enough contrast for readability.
- If reverse type is used, ensure font is large enough, and aim for high contrast between lettering and background. Keep in mind, studies show reverse type lowers reading comprehension.
- Practices for best reproduction on newsprint include:— Min. size for color text in a serif font: 12 pt.— Min. size for color text in a sans serif font: 8 pt.— Min. size for reverse (white) text on a four-color process background: 12 pt.— Min. size for reverse (white) text on a black background: 10 pt.
— Min. size for a four-color rule or stroke: 2 pt.
- Color gradations in graphics can be problematic to reproduce on newsprint.
- Photos should have a minimum resolution of 225 dpi and a maximum of 300 dpi.
- Use the “U.S. Web Uncoated v.2” profiles to convert RGB photos to CMYK.
- Your logo is a graphic — be sure it is sized large enough to print correctly.
Please design your print ad in InDesign, Quark or other layout software. Do not build ads in Photoshop.
We do not provide ad composition services, but if you have questions about how to implement any of these guidelines, do not hesitate to contact us.
Submit all files to bonnie.parker@lcms.org.
Digital Guidelines
Suggestions
- Keep design simple
- Choose a clear and enticing call to action
- Frame the image
Specifications
- File formats: JPG or PNG
- Include master Layer Photoshop file or TIFF if available
- Recommended 16pt font size
- Tools for creating the files: Photoshop, Illustrator, canva.com
- Reference article: 14 Design Practices For Display Ads
Submit files and direct any questions on ad production to Bonnie Parker at 314-996-1202 or bonnie.parker@lcms.org.