Magazine Printing Tips
Magazines are one of the best print products a business or creator can use to add revenue. With content, storytelling, ads and branding your magazine will be kept, shared, and looked back on. Here is how to plan, design, and print a professional magazine. Start your magazine today!
What Is Magazine Printing?
Magazine printing is when sheets of paper get designs printed on them then produced into a publication using perfect-bound or saddle stitch binding. It will have editorial content, photography, advertising, = and branding inside. There are different types of magazines like business, zine, community, photography, and company publications.
How Are Magazines Printed?
Magazines are printed using industrial printers. Sheets of paper get laser precise ink in small amounts to create the design in your files. Magazines are printed in high volume with bulk shipping to reduce the per unit cost and increase margins for profit.
Magazine printing is a unique way to both establish a brand as an industry thought leader and also promote products and services. By combining informational and promotional content into one magazine publication, entrepreneurs can reach consumers in a fun and engaging way.
The most crucial element of a successful magazine is the cover, as it is the first thing potential readers will see and will determine whether or not they read the publication. When it comes to the cover, businesses should be sure to:
1. Use an image that will catch their audiences’ attention, such as a photograph of their top-selling item.
2. Personalize the cover with the individual’s name and information receiving the magazine using Digital Variable Data Printing.
3. Add UV coating to the cover for a high gloss effect.
4. Keep in mind that although the cover is the most important element, the layout of magazine pages is also vital.
- By effectively combining images and text, entrepreneurs can create a publication that is easy to read and engaging.
- Companies should also consider “negative space” – the areas left blank on pages.
- Negative space can enhance the readability of a magazine, which in turn could lead to further reader engagement and sales.
Magazine Printing Examples
PrintingCenterUSA offers magazine publication printing examples & ideas, case studies, templates and more to help you better plan, inspire, design and layout your magazine.
Figure out your target audience with consumers who are genuinely interested in your message. They will be more likely to purchase especially if they are informational or entertaining. The articles you have should bring the reader value something they will actually take into the future and apply to their life.
PrintingCenterUSA offers brands a number of options for their magazine printing projects. We provide our clients with a number of cost-efficient solutions that enable them to create the perfect magazine for business.
If you have ever wondered what actually happens between uploading your file and opening a box of finished magazines, here is the short version.
Most magazines at PrintingCenterUSA are printed using digital printing technology, which is the right choice for short runs ranging from a handful of copies to a few hundred. Digital printing works by transferring your file directly to a high-resolution press that applies ink in precise layers across the paper. There are no printing plates, no lengthy setup process, and no minimum run requirement that forces you to order more than you need. For larger quantities, offset printing uses a more elaborate plate-based process that lowers the cost per unit significantly at scale, which is why major consumer magazines printing tens of thousands of copies use offset.
Once the pages are printed on large press sheets, they are cut down to your chosen trim size. For a saddle stitch magazine, the sheets are then collated in page order, folded in half, nested together, and stapled through the spine with two metal staples. This is why your page count must always be a multiple of four. Every sheet of paper that goes into a saddle stitch magazine produces four pages when folded, so the total page count will always be 8, 12, 16, 20, and so on up to a maximum of 92 pages. If your content lands at a number that is not divisible by four, blank pages are added to bring it up to the next multiple.
The cover is almost always printed on heavier stock than the interior pages and goes through a separate finishing step where the coating is applied. UV high gloss coating, which gives a magazine cover its characteristic shine and protective layer, is applied after printing using a separate UV curing process. Once the cover is finished and the interior pages are bound, the entire magazine is trimmed to its final size and inspected before shipping.
Every file submitted to PrintingCenterUSA goes through an automated 43-point inspection before any of this begins, which catches the most common file issues like low-resolution images, missing bleeds, and incorrect color modes before your order goes to press.
Magazine Size Options
The most popular magazine sizes are important to note here. These are a few different use cases for magazines and their best sizing to match.
8.5 x 11 is the standard for most magazines. They are the best for large format publications with images and text.
5.5 by 8.5 inch is a smaller more digestible format that is commonly used for a portrait style magazine.
9 by 12 gives an oversized but will affect the cost slightly due to larger dimensions but we do still offer low quantities and mailing services .
At PrintingCenterUSA we also offer custom sizing for all book jobs to accommodate your brand’s vision, style, image.
Magazine Page Count
Page count will be the number one factor in determining the binding style for your magazine. If your magazine is under 92 pages Saddle stitch will be your go to if your project is over 92 pages perfect binding will be the best. Page counts must be in multiples of four because your designs will be printed on sheets then, folded in half or cut, and bound.
PRO TIP: Don’t forget to think about your inner back and front covers. Those are prime real estate for sponsors or important messages that you don’t want your reader to miss.
Paper and Cover Options
Use 100 lb gloss cover stock with UV high gloss coating for a classic shiny magazine cover. If you are looking for a more editorial cover, use a map cover like 80 lb. Another important element will be the interior pages which are best around 60 lb to 70 lb. It creates the classic feel.
If you want your magazine to look like the ones on the shelves of your grocery stores, always add a UV high gloss coating to your magazine.
Magazine Cover Design Tips
Here is how to make the best magazine cover. Grab your nearest magazine and notice how the vocal or name is at the top in bold colored lettering. There are bullet points on either side with different font hierarchy that flows with the background image of the magazine. There are one or two different standout graphics that are almost sticker like on the cover. The bar code is on the back or near the bottom and all colors flow.
Magazine Layout Tips
The most elevating element you can add to your magazine Will be text wrapping. If you don’t know what text wrapping is, Text wrapping is when your text box goes around the images within the interior pages of your magazine.
The most useful thing you can add to your magazine that will shift the experience for readers is a table of contents. Many readers go back to the front and mark their favorite pages to remember for later. The table of contents can be the difference between A lost and your customers’ next favorite product.
Typography hierarchy will create a softness for the readers eyes. Something to catch their attention for headlines, draw their eyes to subheadings, and intrigue their curiosity in the body copy.
PrintingCenterUSA offers a digital copy of your magazine with every order placed. Get your free digital flip book with your order today!
Magazine Printing Cost
Cost depends on page count, paper choice, cover finish, and quantity. Higher quantities lower cost per unit. Let’s compare the cost for a magazine that is 8.5 by 11 inches, with 28 pages, and we’re going to order 200 of them. The saddle stitch option will have a unit price of about $3.70, while the perfect bound option will have a unit price of about $4.30.
The price is definitely comparable and gets even more budget friendly when quantity is increased. Explore your magazine today and quote it using our instant pricing tool with shipping cost estimation included for free.
How to Self-Publish a Magazine
To self-publish a magazine, identify your audience, choose the type of magazine you want to create, design and prepare your print-ready files, approve your proof, and receive your order. PrintingCenterUSA makes self-publishing a magazine easy and accessible without a large upfront investment.
Here is how to set up your files for Magazine Printing
Bleed 0.125 inches on all sides
Safe zone 0.125 inches inside trim
CMYK color mode
300 DPI minimum for all images
Single-page PDF in consecutive order
No spreads
Cover as a separate file or as the first and last pages depending on your setup
Skip the design process and find a designer for magazines at PrintingCenterUSA!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I print a magazine?
Create your print ready PDF magazine files and upload them to our Instinct Quote tool. We will reach out less than 24 hours about your order to update you.
What size is a standard magazine?
8.5 by 11 inches
How many pages should a magazine have?
50-90 pages
What is the best paper for magazine printing?
100 lb cover stock with 70-80 lb interior pages
What binding is used for magazines?
Perfect binding or saddle stitch are the best binding types for magazine printing.
How much does it cost to print a magazine?
Print your first magazine run for as little as $21!
What page count is best for saddle stitch magazine printing?
8-92 pages are best for saddle stitch printing for magazines.
Can I self-publish a magazine?
Self-publish your magazine with PrintingCenterUSA today for as little as $21!
What file format do I need for magazine printing?
Print-ready PDF is needed for magazine printing.
What resolution do magazine photos need to be?
Magazine photos should be at lease 300 DPI
Can I add advertising to my magazine?
Yes
Start Your Magazine Today!
Visit PrintingcenterUSA and get your free Adobe template, free online design tool, free 43-point file inspection, and more! Start your project for as little as $21 today!
