The Big Reveal
How does your magazine stack up against the rest in the competitive world of print media?
You know it when you see it.
It might catch your eye and prompt you to flip the pages. It might capture a famous person or an iconic
moment and ask all the right questions. And sometimes … it might even make your jaw drop.
Could it be the typography, the image, the colors, the composition? Or is it the brilliant combination of all of
these things, with a sprinkle of genius on top?
1. A strong cover takes three ingredients — a powerful story, a compelling image, and a benefit spelled out
for the reader. Make sure your cover has all three elements.
2. Look at published magazines. One of the best annuals to reference is from the Society of Publications
Designers. Look at other winning covers such as the American Society of Magazine Editor’s Top 40 Magazine
Covers of the Last 40 Years. Use them as inspiration for fonts, cover lines, images and use of white space.
3. Write a snappy main story cover line, with powerful typography, that sparks curiosity. If you limit the total
number of cover lines to three (character profile, book review, connection piece), you can use more
descriptive words to grab the reader. Don’t let the cover get so crowded with text that nothing stands out.
4. Most importantly: use one strong image with a plain or simple background. If you take a photo, make sure
the background is simple so that the type will pop. Or use a simple photo illustration or a photo of an object
that is manipulated to surprise and wow readers. It alone will tell the story. Do not put busy backgrounds, lots
of people, or complicated images on the cover.
5. Be your own worst critic. Look at the cover comps. Make sure YOU would want to open the magazine.