1. Research magazine history to understand the foundations of the business.
2. Keep up to date on magazine printing news and current events.
3. Subscribe to blogs and RSS feeds for peer and informed printing opinions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search articles and data sites for information on the history of magazine printing

It's difficult to know where you are going when you don't know where you've been. By researching and understanding the history of printing and the printing industry, you're in a better position to understand the current printing news as well as the terms used and machinery and equipment described.

I recommend: The American Printing History Association, one of the best sources for learning the history of the printing business in America, offers a monthly magazine and access to their archives after you subscribe to their service. Magazine-Printer.com is a free online resource for the basic of printing history. The site explains the basic printing process and how things have changed over the years.

Look online for information on news and current events in the world of magazine printing

Although ever major and minor change in the printing business may not effect your business personally, it's important to have a basic grasp of current printing news, especially when networking with other printers. Staying current lets you know what your fellow printers are up to and what money or time saving machines and software have been developed.

I recommend: Printing Impressions offers information on changes in printing technology and trends and focus on the design and graphics side of the printing business. Offering magazine printing services, Strategic Print Solutions also provides information on both traditional and digital printing. Printing News is a great resource for the latest news, movers and shakers and trends in the printing industry.

Subscribe to magazine printing companies' blogs and feeds for daily changes in the printing market

To avoid out of date opinions and printing choices, commercial magazine printers should pay careful attention to their competitors as well as listen to the experts in the field. By choosing a few choice blogs or RSS feeds to subscribe to, you can keep your finger on the pulse of printing change.

I recommend: QuickPrinting.com offers professional blogs, news and current events in printing. You can either bookmark their blog or subscribe to their RSS feed. Graphic Arts Online is a magazine printing company offering several blogs, including "Ask a Print Expert," which deals with specific printing dilemmas and changes.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Every commercial magazine printer should consider posting to online chats to increase their networking skills and try out the information they have learned from their research.

Guide to Magazine Printers

How to get quality magazine printing at a reasonable price

By Jeanni Brosius, CEO, Brosius Young Communications

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

View samples from printers for magazines

View magazines printed by various magazine printing companies. Most mag printers will send you samples if you request them. Look at the quality and the stability of the structure of the magazines. Pay attention to paper weights, print quality and overall durability of the magazine. Ask about the technology each company uses to print magazines.

I recommend: Pelican Magazine Printing will send a magazine sample if requested. Clark's Printing Co. and Copy Craft Printers offer full-service magazine printing.

Get multiple quotes from commercial magazine printers to compare services

Get a cost quote from several magazine printers. This will help you determine which one will fit best within your budget. It usually costs less per magazine for a larger run than a shorter one. You'll need to provide information such as how many pages, the number of magazines you want printed, and if you want the printers to distribute your magazine. Most companies have online quote forms. If you've printed a magazine in the past, and are just changing printers, it would be helpful for the magazine printing company to see copies of your last issue.

I recommend: Print Quotes Direct offers price quotes from printing companies in your area. Print Vendors allows you to submit one quote request and receive multiple bids from printers.

Look for magazine printing software

Doing it yourself may be your best option. Look for full-bodied publishing software that is easy for you and your staff to use.

I recommend: You can get a seven-day free trial of Press Publisher publishing software. Magazine Manager also offers a free trial of it's magazine managing software.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learn the magazine trade lingo before talking with magazine printing companies.
• •  Have all your content and advertisements lined up and laid out to determine how many pages and how many photos will be printed before you seek a quote.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pay attention to the basics of the commercial magazine printer industry

Before trying to learn the subtle language of competing magazines, it is important to know the basic terms common in the magazine printing industry. If learning time is limited, focusing on this section of your industry term education is best. A solid foundation in printing and advertising language will best prepare you to dive right in.

I recommend: MagazinePublisher.com has a list of foundational printing terms relating to the magazine market including both bindery terminology and paper and ink information. TechTarget offers a list of basic advertising terms used on the Internet with much cross over into the print world.

Subscribe to industry publications to keep up with magazine printer information

There are a number of printing magazines on the market that can give you both the latest news in your field as well as updated terminology and industry slang. Knowing the basics is great but keeping up with the lingo is a must.

I recommend: Printing News is the must-read magazine for all commercial printers that offers the latest language for digital and Internet printing as well as popular lingo for print publications. WhatTheyThink.com provides news and online video clips relating to the printing industry so not only can you read the latest in printing language, you can also hear it.

Take time to know the language of the providers of magazine printing services

Magazine printing companies need to know all aspects of their business and network. Taking time to learn about the types of ink and paper finishes available can help with purchasing decisions. You also need to know about the latest software(or at least what it is called) and those programs popular in the magazine printing industry.

I recommend: International Paper Company offers a great glossary of paper types, terms and related knowledge to help you understand the words coming out of your paper supplier's mouth. PrintUSA has a comprehensive glossary of printing terms with an emphasis on ink and graphic terminology. TopTenREVIEWS provides a wonderful basic glossary of software terms as they relate to the printing and publishing industry.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider joining the online forums of your favorite print magazines to get up to date industry slang and increase your networking base.