Understanding the Tearsheets Process

From: USADNEWS Volume I, Issue 2

At USADWEB, our job is not complete until you have received all of your proofs of publication. We know that tearsheets are a critical part of the advertising process. That’s why we take special care to ensure the timely delivery of all proofs of publication for any advertisements that you place through our service.

What is a tearsheet?

A tearsheet is the proof of your advertisement on the page on which it was published. At USADWEB, we request tearsheets from publications at the time when your order is placed. Once we have collected all the proofs for a case, including first and last day prints of any online advertisements and the SWA job order, we will email pdf files of all proofs of publication. We also maintain pdf files of the documents in case you need anything resent.

What is an e-sheet?

An e-sheet is an electronic tearsheet. The majority of newspapers and magazines have adopted an “e-sheet” system for sending tearsheets as an industry standard. E-sheets are not photocopies. They are electronic versions of the actual tearsheet, produced by the advertising media. In many cases, the newspaper name and the ad information appear on a tab along the side of the sheet. For PERM cases, e-sheets are recognized as original proofs of publication. Newspapers and other media that offer e-sheets may no longer send original print tearsheets. Originals may be available upon special request, sometimes at an additional cost from the publication.

What if it takes longer to receive my tearsheet?

It does happen that a publication will neglect to send out tearsheets to us or that they will get delayed in the mail. Your ad representative is committed to contacting the publication to track down and deliver the tearsheets to you. Sometimes the process takes multiple follow-up requests. If you ever have any questions or want to check on the status of a tearsheet, you can always contact your ad representative.