How to Learn About Magazine Printing

You can learn magazine printing through a variety of steps.

Magazine printing is a field that entails many areas with much to learn. That includes design, content, cost, circulation, audience and marketing. Learning about all these phases of printing --as well as the demands and obstacles -- is vital before putting out a publication.

Instructions

1. Study the field. Perhaps the first step in learning about magazine printing is to take a trip to the local bookstore and perusing the magazine stand. Pay attention to the different types of stock on which the magazines are printed. Some may consist of newsprint, others of thick and glossy pages. Some may have large and colorful photos, while others have mostly articles. Study those that are similar to the magazine that you hope to print.

2. Take classes. While you don't always need a bachelor's degree to get into the magazine printing industry, colleges offer an array of courses related to the field. Those courses may include communications, journalism, advertising, marketing, business administration, graphic design and economics.

3. Talk to the experts. Practically every magazine lists department heads such as publishers and editors on an inside page, typically within the first few pages. This information generally provides the names of key employees and how to get in touch with them, either by phone or email. It never hurts to contact some of these professionals and see how they got started and what publishing a magazine entails. Although it should be noted that folks who work at magazines rarely want to share tips to those who wish to launch a competing publication.

4. Visit a printer. Oftentimes, the local print shop can provide you with all the information you need to learn about launching a magazine. That includes information on cost, press capacity, design, page size and distribution. It's also probably a good idea to visit several printers, as they often have different ideas, capabilities and pricing.

5. Learn the software. A key element to magazine printing is the computer software used to create publications. Oftentimes, the vendors who sell this software offer tips and tutorials on how to print your own magazine -- either through online courses, seminars or workshops. Two software programs often associated with magazine printing are QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign.

References

• Magazine Launch: Getting Started
• Magazine Publisher: New Magazine Startup Guide