General FAQ's

What is the Design Source Guide?

The Design Source Guide is an annual Print Edition with an Online Searchable Website (DesignSourceGuide.com) that works hand-in-hand to showcase your products to Architects, Interior Designers and Interior Decorators year-round!

PRINT: 26,000+ Distributed annually to the combined circulations of Canadian Architect and Canadian Interiors magazines mid-November. Bonus Distribution: The Buildings Show, IDS/IDS Contract.

ONLINE: Every purchase includes unlimited enhanced online listings on our widely promoted and searchable website designsourceguide.com.

E-NEWSLETTERS: Your listing will receive exposure in one or more of our weekly e-newsletters (Canadian Architect, Canadian Interiors and Building). Number of placements dependent on package purchased.

SOCIAL MEDIA: As an added value, we’ll also give your listing a shout-out to our readers across our social media channels. Number of posts dependent on package purchased.

Where will my listing appear?

Your listing will be published in the annual Print Editon and posted to DesignSourceGuide.com.

How long will my listing appear on DesignSourceGuide.com?

The Design Source Guide is produced annually. Therefore, your online listings will remain on DesignSourceGuide.com for one year from the date of purchase.

Is there e-newsletter inclusion?

Yes. Your listing will receive exposure in one or more of our weekly e-newsletters (Canadian Architect, Canadian Interiors and Building). Number of placements dependent on package purchased.

Is there social media inclusion?

Yes. We’ll give your listing a shout-out to our readers across our social media channels. Number of posts dependent on package purchased.

When can I start creating my listings?

Upon booking, we set up your login credentials for DesignSourceGuide.com within 24 hours. You may create your online listings immediately.

You may create your print listing and submit it at any time – as long as it’s by the deadline date for the annual print edition. Don’t worry – we’ll remind you closer to the date.

What type of content may I include?

The print listing includes one image, company name, product/tag line, description, phone number and website. One category may be selected for a print listing.

Online listings may include the standard contact information, as well as multiple images and an expanded description with links to your own website. Up to five categories may be selected per online listing.

May I create listings for different products under one company account?

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. Rather than just have one listing promoting your company, we recommend creating a listing for each product. This gives you the ability to place your listing in the correct category.

For the listings, can we work on it directly with you or we would just go ahead and create the listing ourselves?

Both – some clients like to create the listings themselves or if they need help, our production team is happy to assist.

Online Listings FAQ's

When can I start creating my online listings?

Immediately! Upon booking, we set up the login credentials within 24 hours.

For the online listing, can we work on it directly with you or we would just go ahead and add the listing ourselves online?

Both – some clients like to add it themselves or if they need help, our production team is happy to assist.

Will there be a sponsorship or advertising notification of any kind on the listing?

No.

How long will my online listing appear on DesignSourceGuide.com?

One year from the time of purchase.

After one year, is the listing automatically removed or are we notified to renew?

Expired listings will not be removed until after our renewal campaign. All advertisers will be emailed a renewal form at least two months prior to the expiry date.

Should the listing be for our brand in general or a specific product?

It depends – it’s up to you. Some have created a ‘Company’ listing that is just general information. Then they’ve divided their listings by product line. It really gives you a chance to showcase your product as a standalone item.

What size do my images need to be?

For optimal viewing, make sure that your images are web-ready – resolution of 72 dpi.

The Feature Image should be 600 pixels wide by 335 pixels high for best results for the website and social media share cards. This will ensure that portions of your image will not be cut off.

The Gallery images should be 450 pixels in height.  The width may vary.

We recommend that you upload a minimum of three images to your listing gallery.

Are we able to view before it goes live or edit once it’s live?

Yes. Listings may be saved as drafts or submitted for approval. Once live, the listings may be modified at any time.

What can I include within my online listing?

You may include a company logo, formatted text, product name, tagline, web links and email links. There is also two photo galleries – one at the top of the listing page and one below the description area. You may display the same photos in each gallery or choose to display different photos in each gallery.

Can I copy and paste text from a Word file?

Absolutely. Simply select your text, then copy and paste it into the desired location in the listing.

Will there be a link to our site?

Yes. You may include as many relevant links as you like to: web pages, white papers, email, etc.

Can I add images within the description area of the listing?

No. Listings have a standard page layout as this is a product and services directory.  Two photo galleries have been provided in each listing. You may choose to display the same images in both galleries or display different images in each gallery.

Print Listings FAQ's

What do we need for the print listing?

You’ll need an image, headline, description and contact info e.g. email, phone number and/or website. Our online Print Designer Tool makes it easy to create your listing exactly how you want it.

Where do I create my print listing(s)?

Use our online Print Designer Tool to create your listings for the annual print edition of the Design Source Guide.

Can you give me some design tips?

Absolutely. See the Print Designer Tool Tips tab for full specifications and best practices.

How do I send you my print listing?

You can submit your print listing once you’ve approved it in the Print Designer Tool or simply email it to us at [email protected].

If I purchase multiple listings, do they have to be the same image and text?

Only if you want… For example, if you purchased 3 print listings, you may want to use the same creative for all three listings, but you would select three different categories for your listings to appear in (e.g. Kitchen Products, Kitchen & Cabinetry, Millwork & Molding).

Using the same scenario, you may also provide different creatives for each listing – with the listings placed all in the same category or in different categories.

Should the listing be for our brand in general or a specific product?

It depends – it’s up to you.

If you have purchased one print listing, then your listing will be placed within one category. Typically, you would select your primary business category (e.g. Kitchen Products).

Alternatively, others have purchased multiple listings (Package B or C or more) to appear in several categories (e.g. Kitchen Products, Kitchen & Cabinetry, Millwork & Molding). It really gives you a chance to showcase your various product lines.

Do we get to approve the copy before the listing goes to print?

Absolutely. Our easy-to-use Print Designer Tool allows you to preview your print listing as it will appear in the book. You will be able to edit the listing before submitting.

Will there be a link to our site?

Yes. You may include one web link.

Will we receive a copy of the print issue?

Yes. The print issue of the Design Source Guide will be mailed out to all advertisers.

Print Designer Tool Tips

Welcome to our Print Designer Tool. Our easy-to-use designer allows you to create print-ready proofs of your listings for the annual print Design Source Guide.

You may create as many proofs as you like. When you’ve settled on your final listings, simply proceed to the upload portal and submit your print-ready .pdf or email it directly to us at [email protected]!

Image Tips:

Please make sure that your image is a minimum of 300 dpi. This will ensure that your image renders correctly in our print guide. See image dimensions below:

To add your image, click the image placeholder. Then, select your image file from your directory. Click the Add button.

To change the scale of your image, click the Zoom slider. Keep in mind, the resolution needs to be a minimum of 300 dpi.

To change the position of the image, click and drag anywhere on the image itself. This allows you to change which part of the image is displayed.

And, finally, be sure that your image is displayed completely within the image border area.

Text Tips:

To add your text, click in the appropriate text box and type.

The blue borders indicate the area you have in which to display text on the listings. If your text displays outside of the overall area, the text may be cut off during printing.

Each listing includes the company name, subtitle, description, phone and website.

If you wish to include an email address, please enter it in the description area or the website area (if room).

I’m ready to see my proof!

Once you’ve created your listing, click the Approve button.

Click the Download PDF button to generate your print-ready proof. Save the file to your computer.

Then, go ahead and make additional listings by clicking ‘Design Online‘ or upload your final PDFs by clicking the “I’ve made my PDFs!” button.

Need help?

If you have any difficulties and/or questions, please feel free to contact:

Laura Moffatt
Manager, Publishing Operations
[email protected]
office: 416-441-2085 ext. 2