How Long Does it Take To Print a Magazine?

At Walsworth, we understand the time-sensitive nature of the magazine world. Taking a magazine to print requires you to juggle a multitude of tasks – crafting compelling content, securing advertising and meticulously designing and proofing your magazine. The last thing you want to worry about is missing a key deadline, leaving your customers waiting. That’s why it’s so important to know before you begin the process, how long does it take to print a magazine?

The answer, unfortunately, isn’t cut and dry. Many factors influence the printing timeline, from printing method to binding type. After reading this article, you’ll be equipped to plan strategically and ensure a smooth, efficient printing process for your next magazine.

The Stages of Magazine Printing

Here’s a breakdown of the typical stages involved in magazine printing, along with an estimated time range for each:

1. Prepress (2-4 days): The prepress stage involves meticulously preparing your digital files for printing. Prepress specialists ensure everything is set up for a successful print, including high-resolution images, correct formatting and accurate CMYK color profiles. When using web or sheetfed printing, prepress also involves creating the aluminum plates used in the printing process. During prepress, you’ll also likely be given digital proofs to look over and approve before the print run begins.
2. Printing (2-5 days): Though it may come as a surprise, the actual printing stage is often shorter than the prepress stage, thanks to the incredible efficiency made possible by modern printing technology. A modern web press can run at a speed of up to 50,000 impressions per hour, meaning once the press is set up with the correct plates, a skilled printing team can print your magazine very quickly. The printing stage is also when any coatings will be applied to the pages and cover of your magazine. Coating options range from varnish and aqueous to UV, allowing a range of customizable options to elevate your magazine’s look and feel.
3. Binding (1-3 days): The binding process is what holds your magazine together. The two main binding options for magazines are saddle stitch and perfect bound – there’s no major difference in turnaround time between the two, but your choice will affect price and overall quality. Additionally, the printer will inkjet customer addresses onto the printed magazines during this stage, if applicable. This process is known as addressing.
4. Distribution (1-2 days): After a final quality control check to ensure a successful, error-free print, the magazines are ready for distribution. Pallets of labeled, sorted mail are generally taken to an on-site USPS Post Office for acceptance and entry into the mail stream. Or, if the printer is not handling mailing, the packaged magazines are sent to their next destination, whether it’s a warehouse or directly to the customer.

When you add it all up, a magazine print generally takes between one and two weeks from when the printer receives your files to the completed project leaving their facility. Remember, this is a general timeframe, and your specific project’s timeline might vary. Open communication with your customer service representative or account manager is key to establishing a realistic timeline that aligns with your deadlines.

Factors That Affect Printing Turnaround Time

Print Run: This refers to the total number of magazines you need printed. Larger print runs naturally require more time due to the increased volume of paper and the intricate setup of printing presses. Here at Walsworth, we excel at catering to both high-volume and niche market publications, offering efficient solutions for each scenario.

Printing Method: The method of printing used for your magazines will affect the overall turnaround time. Web printing, which is used for longer print runs, is able to produce far more impressions per hour than sheetfed. However, setting up a web press for its print is much more costly and time-consuming than setting up a sheetfed press.

Sheetfed printing, which is a viable method for short and medium print runs, can print up to 15,000 impressions per hour. This difference in speed may not affect printing time for smaller runs, but with larger runs, the time savings become apparent.

Complexity: Magazine complexities extend beyond the number of pages. The use of special finishes like varnish and foil stamping, can add to overall printing time, as well as extra services like addressing and coding. Discussing your needs with your account manager ensures a clear understanding and a realistic timeline that factors in these complexities.

Ways To Help Expedite the Printing Process

If you’re running a tight deadline, there are steps you can take to help make the printing process faster and ensure on-time delivery.

Request a Rush Job: If you need a particularly fast turnaround time, you can talk to your printer and request an expedited print. As long as the printer has the capacity to do so, they may be able to accommodate your schedule. Keep in mind this will most likely result in a rush fee, which will increase your printing costs.

Set Up Your Files Correctly: Sending digital files to your printer that are not set up correctly can bring the printing process to a halt. Before sending your files over, make sure they are set up to your printer’s specifications, double-checking things like file type and margins.

Proof, Proof, Proof: Along those same lines, errors in your files can add unnecessary time to the printing process, as you’ll need to go back and fix them before your printer can perform the final run. Make sure to triple-check for typos and other errors to ensure a smooth printing process.

Walsworth – Your Partner For High-Quality Magazine Printing

While turnaround time is important, exceptional quality shouldn’t be neglected when printing magazines. At Walsworth, we take pride in offering both. Our commitment extends beyond simply printing your magazine; we strive to be a trusted advisor throughout the process. Here’s how partnering with Walsworth benefits you:

• Dedicated Account Management: You’ll have a designated sales representative and Customer Service Representative who understand your project’s specific needs and ensure a smooth workflow.
• Advanced Printing Technology: We invest in cutting-edge printing equipment to deliver exceptional print quality at optimal speeds.
• Unwavering Quality Control: Every print run undergoes a rigorous inspection to ensure it meets our high standards.
• Flexible Finishing Options: We offer multiple coating and other finishing options to help you create the perfect magazine.
• On-Time Delivery: We understand the importance of deadlines and work diligently to deliver your product on schedule. Our distribution and fulfillment experts work hard to ensure your magazine gets exactly where it needs to go.

Work With Walsworth To Streamline Your Magazine Printing Process

By understanding the factors that influence printing timelines and partnering with a reliable printing company like Walsworth, you can ensure a smooth, efficient magazine printing process. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, from initial concept to final delivery.

With over 87 years of experience in the print industry, Walsworth has the resources and expertise to bring your magazine to life. If you’re ready to learn more about what Walsworth has to offer, get in touch with us today!

* This article was developed with assistance from Google’s PaLM 2 large language AI model.