Publishing a magazine: I have all my InDesign spreads. Now what?

Question

I'm publishing a little local magazine just for kicks. I have all my spreads done on InDesign. How and where can I get them printed and bound in a magazine style? Any online options? Do I just send them my files and that's it?

Answer 1

Hi. This is a very broad question because there are several things you have to be able to answer before calling anyone.

1. Size of publication, is its page count divisable by at least 4?

2. Physical paper demensions? What size will this be?

3. Will this publication Bleed?

4. How many are you printing?

5. How much are you willing to spend?  (see below for q's to help answer this)

a. What type of paper do you want this on? Glossy is more expensive than normal - depending on the printer

b. how many colors is this? are you a black and white publication or 2 color (black + 1 ink) or 4 color?

c. How will this be bound? Staples? Glue? Not?

d. Will the cover sheets be different than the inside sheets?

e. Are you wanting newsprint paper? computer like paper? specialty paper? colored paper?

f. how fast do you want this printed? Kinko's is usually 24-72 hours, a small printing company  1-2 weeks min, a large press, rush service is available but is it worth it?

g. How well have you built your documents? You will have prepress charges if you haven't built everything to spec of the printing service provider you choose

h. do you have money to spend on it? Sometimes different companies will work a trade for art, or for non-profits, but if your not legally registered as a proper non-profit or business they can't do the trade because of tax reasons.

i. have you considered the financial implications of using all your images? (If you don't have the full copy write details or permissions this could bite you in the butt with a lawsuit as far as 7 years out.

How to send your files.

1. Check your files for the printing company of choices's specs. Don't be afraid to ask them to tell you what they need, and if you don't understand ask for help. They'd rather you send it right than waste their time fighting with it.

2. IF they allow you to send as the native files, do a collect for output, or package for print, I forget the exact title in indesign, but you get the point. It will collect all fonts, images, and spreads that are associated with the work and put them in one location. (NOTE - it makes a copy of everything. If you make ANY changes after your collection for output you will have to manage your files accordingly!)

3. IF they say make a pdf, ask for the proper specs they want. Then export as PDF and call it done.

Good luck!

If you want to learn more about publishing and document design Shellie hall does some great classes at xTrain that would help you answer all these questions, save your a boatload of time and money. http://www.xtrain.com/shellie