All pricing reflects the base cost for ad placement only. Design services are listed separately below.

 

Ad Design Options

 

Included with every ad:
• Placement in the final mailer
• Basic spell-check and formatting
• Digital proof before printing
• Promotion on the Shop Independence Facebook page
• Regular communication and campaign progress updates​​​​​​

  

Option 1 — Advertiser-Provided Ad

 You submit a finished, print-ready PNG created to the exact dimensions of your selected ad size. Resizing and formatting adjustments are not included. Sizing requirements are listed below the Reserve a Spot button and will also be emailed to you.

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Option 2 — Basic Ad Setup ($30)

 For advertisers who have existing material that can be adapted into an ad, such as a business card, previous ad, flyer, logo or supplied photos. This may also include updating a previous mailer ad by changing a few details, colors, backgrounds, text or photos.

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 Basic setup is intended for straightforward designs that require limited time. If your ad requires more work than this option includes, it will be upgraded to Full Ad Design. You will be notified of the price change before additional design work begins.

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Option 3 — Full Ad Design ($60)

 For advertisers who need an ad created from scratch. You provide your business information, logo and available photos. This option includes a complete custom layout, organization of your content, one proof and one revision.​​

 

Logo creation and additional revisions are not included and may require an additional fee.

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Design availability is limited. Please join the mailer and submit your materials early, as design services may become unavailable depending on my schedule.

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Proof Approval & Responsibility

 

 Advertisers receive a digital proof before printing. Once approved, the advertiser is responsible for all ad content. Shop Independence is not responsible for errors after approval.​

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Category & Placement Guidelines

 

 To ensure balanced visibility and avoid category overcrowding:

• Certain categories are limited to one business per campaign, such as realtors, insurance agencies, table-and-chair rentals and pizza restaurants.

• Businesses are categorized by their primary service. Some overlap may be allowed when their main services differ.

• Similar businesses are spaced apart when possible, but exact placement is not guaranteed.

 

Edition Format Based on Participation

 

 The image below shows the two possible mailer formats. The final size and distribution will depend on advertiser participation and overall campaign costs.

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• Normally, at least 9 participating businesses are needed for the 6.25″ × 9″ mailer.

• Normally, 13 or more participating businesses allow the mailer to expand to 9″ × 12″.

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 These are general participation targets and may change based on printing and postage costs, advertiser pricing, ad selection and other campaign factors.

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 As participation grows, the mailer may increase in size, reach additional households or both; however, these increases are not guaranteed.

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 The submission deadline may be extended slightly to help meet participation requirements. If the minimum is not met after an extension, participating businesses will be notified and may receive a full refund or apply their payment toward a future Shop Independence mailer.​​​

​​​​​How Participation Works

 

 Ad space and categories are limited, and all businesses are reviewed to ensure a good fit. Click Reserve a Spot to complete the Ad Agreement & Content Submission Form. If you’re unsure about your ad content, you may leave that section blank and finalize it closer to the deadline.

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 Returning advertisers receive first priority, while remaining spots are first come, first served. If your category is filled, you may be placed on a waiting list.

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 Once approved, you’ll receive important dates and an invoice. Payment is required after the invoice is sent, normally around the advertising deadline, but it may be sent earlier if minimum participation is reached. You’ll receive an ad proof for approval before printing.

 

 Please apply only if committed. Backing out may affect eligibility for future mailers, and all deadlines must be followed.​​​​

Important Dates & Deadlines

 

January 29, 2027: Early Bird Pricing Deadline

March 5, 2027: Participation form and reservation due

March 12, 2027: Full payment due

March 12, 2027: Ad content and finished ad deadline

April 7-8, 2027: Mailing