Learn how to upload display files (single or bulk) to the illumin library. Review the detailed spec table and learn about acceptable display formats for desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.

Steps to open the Creatives page

1. Log in to illumin.
2. Go to the top menu bar.
3. Select Library > Creatives.
4. Click the Add Creative button.
5. Select Single Upload or Bulk Upload.

If you select single, a side panel displays. If you select bulk, a new page displays. 

Steps to upload a single file

Select the Display menu option. The screen prompts you to select an adserver type.

• Select Hosted (recommended) to upload creatives to illumin and use our platform as the source of truth for ad delivery and impressions.
• Third Party is an advanced feature that uses non-illumin adservers. 

Go to the Display Type line and select Standard. The main difference between Standard and DOOH is display size. DOOH dimensions tend to be larger. 

To review a list of acceptable dimensions, click the Show standard dimensions link. If you're new to the industry (or need a refresher), you should become familiar with this list.

Steps to add a file to a folder

To upload a file, click the Select file button. Upload a file from your device. 

 

Click the Creative Folder field and select the New Folder menu option. In the new field, enter a unique name that will be easy to recall. Saving your digital assets in a custom folder is optional but recommended. 

Go to the Click URL field and paste in the website page URL (and optionally a UTM parameter) that should display when users click (or tap) this display image. The other fields in the form are optional. Scroll down and click the Add button. illumin adds a row to the Creatives table. 

Optional fields

• Creative Description: Enter an internal note so team members can get the gist of this asset without sending you an SMS asking, “What’s this?”
• Creative Language: The language of the content. English is the default.
• Open RTB Creative Attributes: Recommended for advanced users only. Insert industry-standard attributes for this creative type (e.g. In-Banner Video Ad, expandable, etc.).
• HTML Content: Paste in a snippet (a small script code created on the Trackers page to measure events) to go with the creative.
• Impression Pixel 1: Paste in your pixel. Optionally, click the plus (+) icon to add another.

Steps to bulk upload display files

To associate the same URL with multiple display files, use a shortcut. 

1. Paste the URL into the field.
2. Click the Replace button. illumin auto-fills the Click URL fields (a full field replacement) with the same web address.
3. Use the same shortcut to auto-fill other fields (e.g. Impression Pixel or Language).

When complete, click the upload button in the bottom-right corner of the page. illumin uploads the files to the Creatives table. 

Steps to manage display creatives

Go to the Creatives table and expand the folder. There's one row for each file. To review or edit file settings, go to the row and click the pencil icon. It's not possible to delete a creative. Instead, you can archive a file. Click the folder icon and select Archived.

Display specs

Before uploading creatives, make sure your files conform to the specs in the table below. 

Display
	Desktop / Laptop	Mobile web / App (smartphone)	Tablet
Description	Ads served on laptop and desktop.
Standard size* (W x H in pixels	160 x 600, 300 x 250, 728 x 90, 300 x 600	320 x 50, 300 x 50, 300 x 250, 728 x 90	160 x 600, 300 x 250, 728 x 90
Rising star	Billboard 970 x 90, 970 x 250, Portrait 300 x 1050, Filmstrip 300 x 600 to 300 x 3000.	N/A
In-app	N/A	320 x 50, 300 x 250	1024 x 90
Interstitial  (between the page)	N/A	300 x 250, 320 x 480, 480 x 320	1024 x 768, 768 x 102
Max expanded dimension & aspect ratio (W x H in pixels)	300 x 250 to 600 x 250, 160 x 600 to 600 x 600, 728 x 90 to 728 x 360, 300 x 600 to 600 x 600	App: 320 x 50 to 320 x 480, 300x50 to 300 x 25	App: 768 x 90 to 768 x1024,1024 x 90 to 1024 x 768
Format	Flash, JPEG, GIF, Standard HTML51.  Complex HTML5**	JPEG, GIF, Standard HTML5, Complex HTML5 **
Accepted click tags	clickTag and clickTAG [Flash Version 8/10, Action Script Version 2/3].	N/A
Max initial file load size allowance	Flash/image: 40 KB. Recommended HTML5: 150 MB.	GIF/JPEG: 40 KB. HTML5: 50 K
Subsequent max polite file load size	2.2 MB. Unlimited if streaming video within the ad unit.	Interstitial: 2.2 MB Unlimited if streaming video within the ad unit.	N/A
Max animation and video frame rate	24 FP
Max animation and video length	30 seconds or less (loops included). 15 seconds recommended; max 3 loops.	30 seconds or less (loops included) 15, 10, or 7 seconds recommended; max 3 loops.	30 seconds or less (loops included);15 seconds recommended; max 3 loops.
Audio initiation	Audio must be user-initiated (on click: mute/un-mute); the default state is muted.
Minimum required controls	Expandable creative: Control = "Close X" on expanded panel and "Expand" on collapsed panel Font = 8pt (11px) - 16pt (21px). Retract feature = Either click to close/expand, or enable mouse-off retraction. In-Banner Video**: Video must include: Play, Pause, Mute (and/or volume control to 0). Note: A close button is not required as the video resides within the ad unit itself.	Controls = Play, Pause, Mute (and/or volume control to 0).    Video may be played in the native player, which has standard controls.
Third party ad servers***	All major ad servers. Doubleclick, Eyereturn, MediaMind, AdGear, Trueffect,  Pointroll, and others.
Implementation notes & best practices	1) When the user's browser does not support creative functionality (i.e. Flash™, Standard & Complex HTML5), provide a standard backup image file. 2) Ads are required to contain sufficient brand notification. (i.e Banners should include advertiser's brand name or logo in the ads, so that users know which website they will be led to once an ad is clicked). 3) Landing page should include a privacy policy to avoid creative rejections from premium publishers. 4) Landing page must be crawlable. (To allow Google crawler on your page, you can add User-agent: AdsBot-Google to your domain’s robots.txt).

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FAQs

Why does illumin require strict display size and file weight limits?

illumin enforces size and weight limits to maintain compatibility across exchanges and publisher inventory. Oversized or heavy files often fail to serve or face rejection. Adhering to recommended limits increases reach and reduces delivery risk.

When should marketers choose bulk upload instead of single upload?

Bulk upload fits workflows that apply the same click URL or tracking pixels across many files. Single upload suits one-off assets or detailed field customization. Both options use the same creative specifications and validation rules.

Does illumin require backup images for display creatives?

Yes, illumin requires a standard backup image when a browser does not support Flash or HTML5 functionality. Backup images ensure ad delivery continuity and reduce rejection risk from premium publishers.

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