Media
Print Media
Print Media
2026 Editorial Calendar
Topical areas of coverage for Control Engineering include:
- Control systems; Automation; PLCs, PACs; DCSs, SCADA, controllers; Programming; HMI, OI; PID, APC; PLM, control design
- AI and machine learning; Edge and cloud computing: Industrial PCs; IIoT, Industry 4.0; Manufacturing IT, MES
- Motors and drives: Energy efficiency; Power; Power quality; Energy, power
- Mechatronics and motion control: Robotics; Vision and discrete sensors; Machine safety; Discrete manufacturing
- Process instrumentation and sensors: Data acquisition, DAQ; Process safety; Simulators, optimizers
- System integration: Project management, Cybersecurity, System integrators, Workforce development
- Industrial networking: Ethernet; Wireless; I/O systems, I/O modules
- Digital transformation: Analytics; Digital twin; Virtualization, cloud analytics; Info management; Mobility
- Special sections – Roundtables, “Best of” series; Alt+Automation podcasts (topics vary)
January 2026 (Web Only)
FOCUS COVERAGE
- Control Systems
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML)
- Automated mobile robots (AMRs)
- Data acquisition (DAQ), data management
- Industrial cybersecurity outlook
- Best of 2025: CE July-December, second half tally
RESEARCH
- The Future of Industrial Automation: 2026 Insights
February 2026 Issue
AD CLOSE: December 29, 2025
MATERIALS DUE: January 12, 2026
FOCUS COVERAGE
- CE: Best of 2025
- Automation applications
- Edge and cloud computing
- Motors and drives industries, applications
- Process instrumentation: Critical advice
- System Integration
- Industrial cybersecurity
- Industrial networking protocol review
- Digitalization, digital transformation: How’s it going?
WEBCAST
- Expert system integration advice for 2026
ROUNDTABLE
- Discrete control systems: PLCs, PACs, HMIs and IPCs
March 2026 (Web Only)
FOCUS COVERAGE
- PLCs/PACs: What’s new
- Industrial internet of things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 progress
- Motor-drive systems and energy efficiency
- Process safety: How technologies help
- Project management help wanted
- Best automation topics from Engineering.com
RESEARCH
- AI in control systems
April 2026 Issue
AD CLOSE: March 3, 2026
MATERIALS DUE: March 17, 2026
FOCUS COVERAGE
- Open, next-generation DCS
- Generative AI integration with automation
- Variable frequency drive (VFD) technology advances
- Mechatronics design, motion control advances
- Cybersecurity best practices
- Industrial I/O modules and I/O systems
- Analytics and better decision making
WEBCAST
- Motors and drives
ROUNDTABLE
- Discrete Manufacturing: Motors, drives and robotics
May 2026 (Web Only)
FOCUS COVERAGE
- Programming help for automation
- AI examples and benefits in automation
- Process sensing applications
- Industrial cybersecurity: Sequence of events
- Best automation topics from Design World
June 2026 Issue
AD CLOSE: April 28, 2026
MATERIALS DUE: May 12, 2026
FOCUS COVERAGE
- Human-machine interface (HMI), operator interface (OI)
- ML examples and benefits in automation
- Motor-drive matching
- Machine vision or discrete sensors: Advice for applications
- Data acquisition application examples
- Workforce development spotlight
- Industrial wireless
- Digital twins: Bridging physical and digital
WEBCAST
- Industrial controller applications
RESEARCH
- Salary and career survey
ROUNDTABLE
- Industrial Networking: Ethernet, wireless, protocols and more
July 2026 (Web Only)
FOCUS COVERAGE
- Advanced process control (APC), proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control
- Edge and cloud computing application examples
- Power quality, drives, harmonics
- Industrial cybersecurity: From 101 to master-level operations
- Best of Collaborative Robotics
August 2026 Issue
AD CLOSE: June 30, 2026
MATERIALS DUE: July 14, 2026
FOCUS COVERAGE
- Control systems applications and integration
- AI in robotics
- Motors and drives when integration makes sense
- Collaborative robotics: Application diversity
- Advances in process sensors
- Cybersecurity technology advances, examples/AI in cyber
- Industrial Ethernet: SPE, APL, other developments
- Virtualization, cloud analytics
WEBCAST
- HMI-SCADA automation integration
AWARDS PROGRAMS
- Product of the Year
ROUNDTABLE
- Process control systems: DCS, SCADA, instrumentation and safety
September 2026 (Web Only)
FOCUS COVERAGE
- PLM, control design
- Machine learning technologies for machine health
- Process simulation for workforce training
- Industrial cybersecurity tips and tricks
- Best of Mobile Robotics, AMRs
October 2026 Issue
AD CLOSE: September 1, 2026
MATERIALS DUE: September 15, 2026
FOCUS COVERAGE
- PLCs/PACs
- Manufacturing IT, MES: Connecting to controls, automation
- Motor technology advances: What you need to know
- Machine safety technology roundup
- Industrial device-level networks
- Data, info management for automation
WEBCAST
- IIoT, cloud, digital transformation
RESEARCH
- PLCs, PACs
AWARDS PROGRAMS
- Engineering Leaders Under 40
ROUNDTABLE
- Digital transformation: AI/ML, IIoT for Engineers and Industry 4.0/5.0
November 2026 (Web Only)
FOCUS COVERAGE
- DCS, SCADA, controllers
- Machine learning technologies for machine optimization
- Temperature, pressure, level, flow
- Industrial cybersecurity procedures, training
December 2026 Issue
CE AD CLOSE: October 27, 2026
GSIR AD CLOSE: October 20, 2026
CE MATERIALS DUE: November 10, 2026
GSIR MATERIALS DUE: November 3, 2026
FOCUS COVERAGE
- Programming advances
- AI in machine vision
- UPS applications for reliable automation
- Discrete manufacturing: Industrial robotics
- Process instrumentation integration with process controls
- Industrial cybersecurity: Throwback attack 2026 edition
- Industrial network applications, tips
- Mobile human-machine interfaces
WEBCAST
- Motors and drives
RESEARCH
- Motors and drives
ROUNDTABLE
- System integration: Cybersecurity, project management and workforce development
Special Editions / Blockbuster Issues
The Global System Integrator Report
System Integration
DECEMBER / Intended as a 12-month reference guide, the GSIR celebrates recent achievements by highlighting integrators who will make a difference in the years to come.
Includes:
- System Integrator of the Year, recognizing the best system integration firms
- System Integrator Giants: Top system integration firms by system integration revenue
- System integrators: Specific project advice on how to automate
- How to find a system integrator
- Quantified benefits of how to automate from system integrators
PACKAGING OEM
- March: Future of Flexible Packaging —
Focus on Food - June: Design for Food & Beverage
- September: Design for CPG and
Household Goods - December: Design for Pharmaceuticals
Print Rates and Specs
Please submit ads via the WTWH Ad Portal at ads.wtwhmedia.com.
LIVE (SAFETY) AND BLEED
Keep all live items (not intended to trim) 1/4” inside trim edges. If an ad is designed to bleed to the edge, an 1/8” bleed is required outside of trim. Please make sure to output the pdf accordingly to include the bleed, as this is generally not the default setting.
MEDIA
- File format: Ads must be PDF/X-1a files. Please save PDF as: PDF/X-1a:2001 with the compatibility set to Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3).
- Fonts: Embed all fonts
- Color space: CMYK — Images and colors saved as CMYK, no RGB files and no spot colors or pantones within PDFs.
- Resolution: 300 dpi
Artwork submitted is assumed that color, images, and copy are proofed and correct from client. Any necessary artwork or copy preparation may be billed to advertiser.
PROOF
Client also has the option to submit a SWOP 3 certified proof via mail, as well. By choosing not to supply a SWOP 3 certified proof, the color reproduction of the ad will be based on industry standard best practices to achieve as accurate color as possible from the supplied digital file. If sending a SWOP certified proof, please contact your Customer Service Representative for details
SUPPLEMENT HALF-PAGE TIP SPECS:
- High resolution logo (preferably ai or eps file)
- 1 image (3×3, 300 dpi, preferably jpg, eps, tiff, or pdf)
- 100-125 words of copy (May include title)
- Contact info (Company Name, website and address and phone # if preferred)
Leadership in Automation
Recognizing our leaders in automation engineering.
The Leadership in Automation program for January 2025 recognizes outstanding companies in key areas of automation, providing a comprehensive, integrated package to showcase leadership in the industry.
Nomination examples include engineering leadership for a person or inventor, engineering
leadership by a specific department or overall company accomplishment.
Members of the engineering community will be required to register in order to cast votes for nominees. Participation rates are based on earned frequency and ongoing marketing programs with Control Engineering.
CATEGORIES
- Control Systems (PLC, HMI, SCADA)
- Edge & Cloud Computing
- Industrial Networking
- Motors & Drives
- Process Instrumentation
- Manufacturing Software
- AI & Machine learning
- Mechatronics & motion control
- System integration
DIGITAL PROFILE MATERIALS CHECKLIST
- Company Contact Info: mailing address & website URL
- Company Overview:
- Headline (50 characters / 5-7 words)
- Boilerplate (750 characters / 125 words)
- Why you are a leader: 250 Words (1500 characters)
- Company Logo*: 370 pixels wide and height is flexible
- 3 Featured Images*: 320 pixels wide x 380 pixels high
- Social Media links (optional): Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter)
- Featured Video (optional): must be YouTube URL
- Up to 2 Promotional Assets (optional) each includes:
- Headline – 80 characters
- Description – 300 characters
- PDF file – 50MB max file size
- Image* – 300 pixels wide; height is flexible