Magazine production requires business strategy, editorial prowess, creativity, and technical expertise. There are so many different pieces that need to come together so your magazine is interesting, entertaining, and fills a market need—all while offering an enjoyable, branded reading experience.

And the production process is very different for print magazines than it is for digital editions. Both versions require different software, talents, and quality review steps.

In this guide, we walk you through the magazine production process for both print and digital offerings.

Print magazine production

Ready to create a world-class print magazine? Follow these essential magazine production steps.

Step 1. Conceptualize and plan your magazine

The first step in producing a magazine is planning and conceptualization. This involves defining the magazine’s purpose, target audience, and unique selling points. An editorial calendar will help your team map out the content for each issue, including themes, feature articles, and regular columns. During this phase, you’ll also want to get a handle on your budget so you can allocate resources for content creation, design, printing, and distribution.

Tips for this phase:

• Clearly define your target audience to tailor your content and design effectively.
• Create a detailed editorial calendar to keep the production process on track.
• Allocate a realistic budget that covers all aspects of magazine production, including unexpected expenses.

Step 2. Create content

Content creation is the backbone of any magazine. During this phase, you’ll assign topics to writers, photographers, and other contributors, conducting necessary research and interviews, and drafting and editing articles. All content should align with the magazine’s mission and brand.

Tips for this phase:

• Assign articles to writers with expertise in the subject matter to create high-quality content.
• Maintain clear communication with contributors to meet deadlines.
• Prioritize editing to enhance readability, accuracy, and overall quality of the articles.

Step 3. Create your design and layout templates

The design and layout phase brings the magazine’s content to life visually. Develop a consistent design template that includes fonts, colors, and layout styles. Artwork and photography should be sourced or commissioned to complement the articles, and page layout should be meticulously crafted using design software like Adobe InDesign.

Tips for this phase:

• Use various design templates to create consistency across pages and columns.
• Select high-quality images and artwork that enhance the content.
• Keep the layout clean and easy to navigate, avoiding cluttered pages.

Step 4. Plan the pagination

Pagination involves determining the total number of pages and organizing content and advertisements in a logical flow. You need to create a flatplan to help you visualize the magazine’s layout, ensuring that articles and ads are strategically placed. Assign page numbers and create a cohesive flow from one page to the next.

Tips for this phase:

• Develop a flatplan to organize the magazine’s layout effectively.
• Make sure articles that span multiple pages are easy to follow.
• Place advertisements in strategic locations to maintain reader engagement.

Step 5. Proofread and make final edits

Proofreading and final edits are critical to producing a polished magazine. This step involves fact checking and checking for grammatical errors, typos, and layout issues, as well as verifying all facts and figures. Final edits are usually made to catch any last grammatical errors or improve consistency in both style and tone, making the magazine ready for print.

Tips for this phase:

• Use professional proofreaders to catch errors that may have been overlooked.
• Fact-check thoroughly to maintain credibility.
• Conduct multiple rounds of proofreading for accuracy and quality.

Step 6. Get your files ready to print

Pre-press checks make sure that all files are print-ready and have proper resolution and color settings. Choose a suitable printing method, such as digital or offset. Handling the printing process, including binding and finishing, are part of this phase. High-quality printing is vital for a professional-looking magazine, so you may need to test out different printing vendors until you’re satisfied.

Tips for this phase:

• Confirm that all files meet the printer’s specifications.
• Choose a printing method that aligns with your budget and quality requirements.
• Review printed proofs to catch any last-minute errors before the final print run.

Step 7. Distribute your magazine

Distribution is the final step in magazine production. Make a plan for how you will distribute your magazine, whether through subscriptions, newsstands, or digital platforms. Because distribution is quite literally a logistical nightmare, the vast majority of publishers outsource distribution. Check out our list of the top magazine distribution services for help. Our guide to magazine marketing is also great for growing your subscriber base.

Tips for this phase:

• Develop a comprehensive distribution plan that covers all potential channels.
• Use reliable logistics partners to strategize timely delivery.
• Promote the magazine through social media and other marketing channels to maximize reach.

Digital magazine production

The easiest way to produce a digital magazine is to convert the PDF version of your print magazine into a digital edition.

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

Below, we walk you through the necessary steps to create your own print magazine.

Step 1: Upload your PDF file to the converter

The first step is to upload the PDF file into the digital magazine platform. At eMagazines, we work closely with publishers to provide digital magazine production and delivery services. However, some clients prefer to handle the process themselves using our tools.

Tips for this phase:

• Make sure your PDF file is free of errors before uploading.
• Check our guidelines for optimal PDF settings.
• Consider how closely you want the digital version to match the PDF styling so you know what to expect when reviewing the output.

Step 2: Make sure the style matches your brand

After uploading the PDF, the digital magazine content should display as lifelike as possible. The platform will reflow the content into a single-column view to enhance readability. Scroll through the content to check that all styling (including byline, headline, and body copy fonts) matches your brand’s design standards.

Tips for this phase:

• Use brand guidelines to verify font and style consistency.
• Check that all images and text are correctly imported.
• Make adjustments as needed to align with your brand identity.

Step 3: Create filters to easily fix repetitive issues

Next, create quick rules to address any recurring issues. For example, you might want to remove automatic image credits. Set up filters to handle such repetitive tasks automatically, saving you time and ensuring consistency throughout the magazine.

Tips for this phase:

• Identify common issues that need automatic correction.
• Use our filter settings to streamline these fixes.
• Regularly review and update filters as needed for future issues.

Step 4: Double-check the table of contents

Click on the TOC icon to view the Table of Contents. Verify that the date, titles, descriptions, and bylines for all articles are correctly pulled in. Double check that each link in the TOC works properly, allowing readers to navigate the magazine efficiently.

Tips for this phase:

• Cross-check TOC entries with your editorial calendar.
• Test each link to confirm it directs to the correct article.
• Update any incorrect or missing information promptly.

Step 5: Add deep links to your cover page

Before publishing, add deep links to your cover page. These links enable readers to click on a cover blurb and be taken directly to the corresponding article. Generate links for each article featured on the cover and create clickable areas on the cover page.

Tips for this phase:

• Highlight key articles on your cover for better engagement.
• Check that links are accurately placed and tested.
• Make the cover visually appealing while maintaining functionality.

Step 6: Add AI-generated audio to each article (if desired)

AI-generated article audio can be a valuable feature for your digital magazine, enhancing accessibility and convenience. Head to the article audio dashboard and click “Submit Audio” to generate high-quality audio content. Choose a voice that best matches your brand and make sure that the “Listen” button is prominently displayed.

Tips for this phase:

• Select a voice that aligns with your brand’s tone.
• Test audio playback and quality on each article.
• Highlight the audio feature in your magazine’s promotional materials.

Step 7: Preview your digital magazine in mobile view

The final step is to preview your digital magazine in mobile view. You want to make sure it looks great on mobile devices as well as desktops. Scroll and swipe through the articles, checking for any style or content errors. If you’ve added audio, test the files to make sure they play correctly.

Tips for this phase:

• Use different devices to test the mobile view.
• Check that interactive elements function properly.
• Make final adjustments based on your preview to optimize the reader experience.

How to produce a digital magazine without a print edition

At eMagazines, we offer the services and software needed to create beautiful mobile editions. For most of our clients, we take the print edition of their magazine and reflow it into a mobile edition that is easy to read and branded. However, if you don’t have a print offering and only release digital content, we can work with PDFs or other popular file formats and add your branding in via fonts and font colors for titles, bylines, captions, etc.

Create the most beautiful digital edition of your magazine with eMagazines’s mobile-optimized reader.