According to Statista.com periodical publishers spent 31.11 billion dollars on expenses in 2012! Magazine printing is a big portion of that astronomical expense.
Magazine printing is a project that requires a lot of thought, time, and money in order to get great results. When you design a magazine there is more than just printing involved, and the larger number of pages and graphics can raise the cost considerably.
Interesting Fact: The first publication that could be called a magazine was released in 1663. It was the German Erbauliche Monaths Unterredungen.
Source: MagazineDesigning.com
When you are designing a magazine to be printed you have to think about binding services, paper stock, ink types and colors, the right number of pages, and numerous other aspects. Since this type of project can be expensive, it is important to be aware of all the considerations before you start, and you should spend some time going over every aspect before you spend any money.
10 Important things to know about Magazine Printing
1. Page Size – Usually one of the first considerations with magazine printing is the size of the pages in your publication. Most magazines use a page size of 8 3/8” x 10 7/8”, because this is also the size that is the most economical to use. If you choose a different size then your item may be classified as either over or under sized, and this can impact the final price that you pay.
2. Quantity – Before you can order printing or binding services, you need to determine how many magazines you want printed. Typical orders for magazines can vary from a few hundred to several hundred thousand items. Your order amount can help determine the print processes used. Make sure to consider your long-term needs, and order extra if you think you will need them in the near future.
3. Paper Stock – One of the most important elements for magazine printing is the stock, or the type of paper that will be used for your magazine pages. You will find stocks that are inexpensive, and others that are top quality, thick, and much more expensive. Most printers will offer an extensive selection of paper stocks to choose from, with some that fit your quality goals and budget both.
4. Type of Binding Desired – You need to know what your choices are when it comes to various binding services so that you can pick the binding type that works best with your ideal appearance and function. Some possibilities for binding your publication can include:
- Comb
- Spiral
- Wire O
- Saddle Stitching
- Perfect Binding
- Coil
- Case
- Tape
With everything housed under our roof, we offer our clients a comprehensive mix of binding, finishing, and related capabilities. Read more here.
5. How Green Should You Go? – You want to minimize any environmental harm with your magazine printing, but how green can you afford to go? Discuss your green options with the printer that you have chosen, detailing your budget and your preferences. Both of these are important, because going completely green is not always possible, and it can be cost prohibitive for some companies.
6. Types of Graphic Files Involved – Your magazine printing can be simple or complex and the binding services are only part of the equation. The graphic files that you are using can make or break your project. Try to use common graphics files that every printer can utilize during the printing process, because this will make everything go smoothly and avoid common problems.
7. The Right Printer – The best printer for your magazine printing will only be chosen after considerable comparison and evaluation. You want someone who has plenty of experience in this area, not someone who can do this for you but who has never printed a magazine before. This will help you get the finished quality and appeal that you want and avoid common mistakes.
8. Your Project Budget – Any of the printing and binding services that you choose must fit within the budget that you have set for the project. If your budget is not realistic for this type of effort then you will not get great results, and you may be wasting valuable resources because you will not get the best possible responses or conversions.
9. File Reviews – The file review technology that your printer uses is important with magazine printing and other printed products. You need a printer who utilizes state of the art file review technology, making it easier to review all of the necessary files before the printing process starts. This will avoid many errors and the most common issues with this step of the process.
10. Type of Proofs Offered – Whether you are planning to create flyers or you want magazine printing, it is important to understand the types of proof that the printer will offer. Digital proofs are usually available, but sometimes hard proofs are desired. With a hard proof, you will be able to see exactly what the printed magazine will show, but this requires a lot of time and effort to produce.
What else should you consider before you order magazine printing and why?
