A college magazine is a powerful storytelling tool that connects students, faculty, alumni, and prospective students. Whether in print or digital form, a well-crafted magazine showcases academic excellence, highlights achievements, and strengthens institutional identity. It provides a platform for thought leadership, promotes campus culture, and preserves the university’s legacy for future generations.

From sharing groundbreaking research to celebrating student success, a university magazine serves as both a historical archive and a forward-thinking communication channel.

In this guide, we showcase why college magazines are so important. Plus, we cover how to produce your own print and digital editions.

Why every college or university should have its own magazine

A well-crafted magazine strengthens a university’s brand and fosters a sense of community. Here’s why this type of content is essential.

• Showcases student and faculty achievements: Highlights groundbreaking research, creative projects, and campus innovations.
• Engages alumni and donors: Strengthens alumni connections and supports fundraising efforts.
• Promotes institutional identity: Reinforces the school’s values, mission, and academic excellence.
• Attracts prospective students: Offers an inside look at campus life, culture, and opportunities.
• Preserves campus history: Documents key events and milestones for future generations.

For example, Muhlenberg Magazine captures the essence of a liberal arts education, blending campus stories, alumni achievements, and global perspectives. The articles focus on student experiences and thought-provoking features. Muhlenberg Magazine relies on eMagazines for online mobile optimized reading and subscriber email delivery.

Check out more examples in this guide to college magazines.

Print versus digital magazines

Not sure which format to choose? Consider these important points.

The pros and cons of print magazines

Print magazines offer a tangible, prestigious format that enhances credibility and reader engagement—ideal for alumni publications and academic journals. However, printing and distribution costs can be high, and updates are inflexible. Sustainability concerns also arise, making it less eco-friendly for universities aiming to reduce paper waste and environmental impact.

The pros and cons of digital magazines

Digital magazines provide cost-effective, easily accessible content for students, faculty, and alumni. They support multimedia elements, are eco-friendly, and allow instant updates. However, digital fatigue and screen distractions can reduce engagement. Additionally, some audiences may prefer a traditional reading experience, making it essential for universities to balance accessibility with reader preferences.

How to create a digital magazine for your college or university

The simplest way to create a digital magazine for a college or university is by converting a print magazine’s PDF into an interactive digital version.

Here’s an example of a digital magazine created with eMagazines:

Below, we outline the key steps to transforming your print publication into a dynamic digital magazine.

Step 1: Upload your content to your digital magazine software

Begin by uploading your content to your digital magazine platform. You can upload a DOCX file of all of the different articles, or a PDF of the print version of your magazine (if you have one). At eMagazines, we support publishers by offering both hands-on assistance and self-service options for institutions that prefer to manage the process themselves.

Tips for this step:

• Ensure your PDF is error-free before uploading.
• Review platform guidelines for the best PDF settings.
• Decide how closely the digital edition should resemble your print layout.

Step 2: Align the style with your institution’s branding

Once uploaded, the content will be reformatted into a mobile-friendly, single-column layout for better readability. Scroll through your magazine to ensure that typography, images, and branding elements align with your college or university’s visual identity.

Tips for this step:

• Use brand guidelines to confirm font and design consistency.
• Verify that images and text are displayed correctly.
• Make any necessary refinements to maintain a professional look.

Step 3: Automate repetitive formatting adjustments

To streamline production, set up filters to automatically correct common issues. For instance, if your magazine includes frequent image credits or standardized department names, configure rules to ensure consistency across issues.

Tips for this step:

• Identify frequently occurring formatting inconsistencies.
• Leverage built-in tools to automate fixes.
• Update these rules as needed to improve efficiency.

Step 4: Verify the table of contents

Access the Table of Contents (TOC) section to confirm that article titles, bylines, and descriptions appear correctly. Additionally, make sure all links function properly so readers can navigate seamlessly between sections.

Tips for this step:

• Cross-check TOC entries against your editorial schedule.
• Test every link to confirm accuracy.
• Correct any discrepancies before publication.

Step 5: Add interactive links to the cover

Before launching your digital magazine, enhance the reader experience by incorporating deep links on the cover page. This allows users to click on featured stories and jump directly to the full articles.

Tips for this step:

• Highlight the most engaging content on the cover.
• Test links to ensure smooth navigation.
• Balance aesthetics with usability.

Step 6: Offer AI-generated audio for accessibility

Providing an audio option makes your content more accessible to a diverse audience, including students and faculty who prefer listening over reading. Use an AI-powered tool to generate high-quality article narration and integrate a “Listen” button into each piece.

Tips for this step:

• Choose an AI voice that reflects your institution’s tone.
• Test audio playback to confirm clarity and accuracy.
• Promote the audio feature as part of your magazine’s accessibility offerings.

Step 7: Optimize for mobile viewing

Before finalizing your publication, preview the digital magazine on mobile devices to ensure a smooth reading experience. Swipe through articles, test links, and verify that multimedia elements function properly.

Tips for this step:

• Review the magazine on different screen sizes.
• Confirm that interactive features work as expected.
• Make any final adjustments to optimize readability.

By following these steps, your college or university can create a high-quality digital magazine that engages students, faculty, and alumni with an easy-to-read and visually appealing format.

How to create a print magazine

Looking to launch a high-quality print magazine for your college or university? Follow these essential steps to bring your publication to life.

Step 1: Develop a clear concept and plan

Before diving into production, define the magazine’s purpose, target readership, and overall vision. Establishing an editorial plan will help you outline key themes, recurring columns, and feature stories for each issue. Additionally, setting a budget early ensures you can properly allocate resources for writing, design, printing, and distribution.

Tips for this step:

• Identify your primary audience—students, faculty, alumni, or prospective applicants—to shape content and visuals accordingly.
• Create an editorial calendar to maintain a structured publishing schedule.
• Set a budget that accounts for all production costs, including potential unforeseen expenses.

Step 2: Generate high-quality content

The foundation of any great magazine is compelling content. Writers, photographers, and designers should collaborate to produce engaging articles, interviews, and visuals. Ensure that all content aligns with the magazine’s purpose and maintains a consistent voice.

Tips for this step:

• Assign stories to contributors who have expertise in relevant topics.
• Keep open communication with your editorial team to meet deadlines efficiently.
• Focus on strong editing and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and professionalism.

Step 3: Design and layout development

The magazine’s design plays a key role in making it visually appealing and easy to read. Establish a cohesive style guide that includes fonts, color schemes, and layout standards. Use professional design software to ensure a polished and well-structured presentation.

Tips for this step:

• Implement design templates to maintain a consistent aesthetic across issues.
• Select high-resolution images and custom graphics to enhance the storytelling.
• Prioritize a clean and balanced layout for a professional, reader-friendly experience.

Step 4: Organize content with pagination

Pagination ensures that articles, advertisements, and visuals are arranged in a logical flow throughout the magazine. A flatplan—a visual map of the magazine—helps plan the order of pages and ensures smooth transitions between sections.

Tips for this step:

• Use a flatplan to strategically arrange editorial content and advertisements.
• Ensure multi-page articles are designed in a way that maintains readability.
• Place advertisements in locations that do not disrupt the reading experience.

Step 5: Conduct final proofreading and edits

Before heading to print, a thorough review process is necessary to catch errors and inconsistencies. This includes checking for grammar, typos, layout misalignments, and factual inaccuracies. Multiple proofreading rounds help ensure a polished final product.

Tips for this step:

• Utilize professional proofreading services or multiple team members for quality control.
• Double-check all facts, names, and figures for accuracy.
• Conduct final layout reviews to ensure consistency and readability.

Step 6: Prepare for printing

Pre-print checks ensure that all files meet the required resolution and color settings. Choose between digital and offset printing based on budget and quality needs. Reviewing test prints before mass production helps prevent costly errors.

Tips for this step:

• Verify that all design files meet the printer’s technical requirements.
• Select a printing method that aligns with both cost and quality expectations.
• Review a printed proof to ensure colors, layouts, and details are accurate before finalizing production.

By following these steps, your college or university can produce a professional, high-quality print magazine that captures the essence of campus life and engages its readership effectively.

Ready to create your own digital magazine? Learn more about eMagazines, the service provider trusted by Muhlenberg College and Harvard Business Review.