Folio RSS: Design and Production

New Technology from RR Donnelley Expands Co-Mailing Options

Jason Fell — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:17:27 -0400

Ever since last summer’s significant postal rate increase and restructuring, publishers have been scrambling to catch up. One strategy that has helped publishers realize legitimate savings is co-mailing—and as the pressures mount, printers, if only to remain competitive in a supremely cost-challenged environment, have been stepping in with services to assist where possible.

Sex Sells

Joanna Pettas — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:21:01 -0400

Even for religious magazines.

IDEAlliance Launches G7 Summit

Jason Fell — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:18:05 -0400

IDEAlliance has announced plans launch an event dedicated to its G7 specification, which aims to simplify the calibration of proofing systems and presses to help printers achieve a close “visual match” from proof to press and from press to press.

Clean Up Your Mail List

mtownsley — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:36:58 -0400

Publishers will soon have an even bigger incentive to keep their mail lists updated and current. Effective November 23, the United States Postal Service is implementing new mail-list requirements for First-Class and Standard A mailers who claim presorted or automation rates, and is instructing those mailers to make corrections to their lists within 95 days before the mailing date.

Save 10% to 15% Right Now on Your Postage Bill

Dylan Stableford — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:34:12 -0400

It’s getting pretty rough out there for magazine publishers.

Quebecor World Cuts 700 Jobs, Closes Plant

Dylan Stableford — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:23:37 -0400

Commercial printer Quebecor World today announced that it is cutting nearly 700 full-time positions between two facilities as part of a restructuring plan to reduce costs that the company announced three years ago.

Face Up: Christianity Today

Dylan Stableford — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:36 -0400

Issue: March 2008
Frequency: Monthly
Circ: 150,000
Editor: David Neff/Mark Galli
Publishing Company: Christianity Today International
Design Director: Gary Gnidovic

Postal Point-Counterpoint

Dylan Stableford — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:47:20 -0400

Folio: asked two magazine executives with vastly different publishing backgrounds a set of questions about the impact of last July’s shape-based postal rate structure. While Time Inc.—the largest magazine publisher in the United States and the U.K.

Magazine as Metaphor

Dylan Stableford — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:55:11 -0400

Typography is ubiquitous in signs, billboards and graffiti. Design can be seen in the shapes of buildings, in sound, music, film, television and, of course, in print. All contribute to an endless store of visual wealth.

Buyer’s Remorse

Joanna Pettas — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:55:48 -0400

A look at reMarriage.

Postal Debate: Time Inc. vs. The Nation

Jason Fell — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:17:44 -0400

FOLIO: asked two magazine executives—each with vastly different publishing backgrounds—about the impact of last July’s shape-based postal rate structure. While mega magazine publisher Time Inc.

Time Forced to Defend Another Cover

Dylan Stableford — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:55:52 -0400

Editor Rick Stengel addresses ‘Billbama' criticism from New
Republic week after war vets.

The Best (or Only) Use of Chiaruscuro On the Newsstand

Joanna Pettas — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:48:12 -0400

Between button-down gallery-in-a-book and free-for-all skater mag.

Sensory Overload: Publishers Stuffing Magazines with Sights, Smells, Sounds

Dylan Stableford — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:50:21 -0400

Readers of the latest issue of People magazine may have been startled to open to a bulky page in the middle and hear Natasha Bedingfield's latest pop song start playing out loud.

How Magazines Treat Obama

Dylan Stableford — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:40:52 -0400

From ‘new hope' to ‘senator who sings in the shower.'

Green Issue Overload: Lay Off Condé Nast

Dylan Stableford — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:21:47 -0400

No recycled paper? Who cares? Not advertisers.

New York Times Mag Publishes First-Ever Green Issue—But Not on Recycled Paper

Dylan Stableford — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:59:32 -0400

The New York Times Magazine is set to publish its first-ever “green issue”—a “low-carbon catalog” of ideas for environmentally-conscious living boasting a slew of new advertisers—on Sunday.

Why Ridiculous Covers Matter

Joanna Pettas — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:04:36 -0400

Magazines still impact social culture.

George Lois' Esquire Covers to Go on Display at MoMA

Dylan Stableford — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:04:16 -0400

George Lois—the legendary art director whose iconic 1960s Esquire covers influenced an entire generation of magazine designers—is getting his due in the art world.

Vanity Fair's ‘Green' Issue: Another Waste

Joanna Pettas — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:43:09 -0400

Magazine fails to print on recycled paper—again.

Missbehave's Eureka Moment

Joanna Pettas — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:46:20 -0400

Mag's models are less kempt, more ordinary, and more overtly sexual than most.

ASME Plans to Address Photoshopping

Jason Fell — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:41:58 -0400

As magazines in the U.K. face a potential ban on digitally altering celebrity photos, the American Society of Magazine Editors is considering a panel discussion about best-practice guidelines.

Following Bankruptcy Filing, Quebecor World’s Financial Plans ‘Ahead of Schedule’

Jason Fell — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:46:48 -0400

In the wake of Quebecor World’s bankruptcy protection filing in Canadian courts earlier this year, the commercial printer has managed to finalize a number of new and extended printing contracts in recent weeks.

Cover Critique: Vogue’s Lebron and Gisele

Dylan Stableford — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:10:43 -0400

Designers weigh in on the 'Kong' controversy.

Quebecor World, Quad/Graphics Among Printer of Year Gold Finalists

Dylan Stableford — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:21:33 -0400

Sappi Fine Paper North America has announced the silver and bronze winners for its 12th annual printers of the year competition.

Gold Award winners-to be chosen from the field of silver awardees in eight categories-will be announced at the North American Printers of the Year gala celebration, slated for May16-18 in Dallas.

For Appealing Magazine Cover Subjects, Try People, Not Objects

Joanna Pettas — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:16:44 -0400

An ongoing hunt for something different.

La Fashionista Enfant

Joanna Pettas — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:17:26 -0400

How do you satirize a magazine that satirizes itself every month?

Editors vs. Art Directors: Part IV

Dylan Stableford — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:14:42 -0400

Esquire's Granger-Curcurito team defy coverline rules.

Playing the Numbers

Dylan Stableford — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:07:12 -0400

When used on the cover, numbers go beyond mere numerology; they become editorial quantifiers, limiting the range of individuals or items to a selective list. As quantifiers, they are numbers—only more so. Readers want to know who made the cut. Curiosity brings them into the magazine to see what’s going on here.

Quebecor World Signs New Printing Contracts

Jason Fell — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:52:41 -0400

Quebecor World has signed renewal and new business agreements, adding more than 30 new titles to its roster.

Cover Critique: New York's Spitzer Cover

Dylan Stableford — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:22:29 -0400

Designers weigh in.

1978: The Year Sports Illustrated's Covers Got Weird

Dylan Stableford — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:59:07 -0400

Forget Vogue's Lebron and Gisele—check these out.

Rolling Stone's Obama Illustrator Responds

Dylan Stableford — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:13:46 -0400

To FOLIO:'s cover critique.

Applying for a Standard Mail Permit

mtownsley — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:22:15 -0400

Many strive for Periodicals Class status, but if you are unable to meet all the requirements, mailing at Standard Class can be very beneficial as well. While the advantages of Standard Class may not be as great as Periodicals, they do exceed those of First Class. For example, Standard Mail can cost less than half as much as retail First

Photoshop Disasters: Blender's Britney Cover

Joanna Pettas — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:53:16 -0400

Blender's Britney cover.

Editors vs. Art Directors: Part III

Dylan Stableford — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:58:30 -0400

A designer concedes the point ... sort
of.

The Economist Seeks Termination of Printing Agreement with Quebecor World

Jason Fell — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:30:16 -0400

The Economist is looking to terminate its contract with commercial printer Quebecor World, but says it is open to discussing how to continue the relationship, according to a statement filed jointly by the companies. Quebecor World filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year.

M-Real Announces Paper Price Hike

Jason Fell — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:25:01 -0400

European paper supplier M-Real has announced price increases for its magazine papers in the American and European markets.

Pantone Launches Color Management Package

Jason Fell — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:30:57 -0400

Color systems provider Pantone, along with parent company X-Rite, has developed a new family of products—called ColorMunki—the company says help designers better develop and calibrate colors.

Saving Money on Paper No ‘Slam Dunk’

Jason Fell — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:03:41 -0400

Publishers have been feeling the pinch since paper prices have spiked around 20 percent over the last year, and additional hikes are likely on the way—30 percent by the end of the year, by some estimates.

An Exquisite Corpse of a Magazine

Joanna Pettas — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:01:52 -0400

Acido Surtido: An exquisite corpse of a magazine.

Quad/Graphics Announces Expansions to Wisconsin Facilities

Jason Fell — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:44:09 -0400

To better accommodate its growing direct mail operations, Quad/Graphics plans to expand its 1 million-square-foot West Allis plant by 192,000 square feet. The facility houses custom Web, sheetfed and digital presses and a number of finishing equipment items such as saddle stitchers, perfect binders and inserters.

Editors vs. Art Directors: Part II

Dylan Stableford — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:28:56 -0400

Art directors respond!

Cover Critique: Rolling Stone's Barack Obama Endorsement

Dylan Stableford — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:01:43 -0400

Designers weigh in.

Backpacker Unveils Carbon-Neutral Project

Dylan Stableford — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:08:14 -0400

Backpacker, the Boulder-based magazine for outdoor enthusiasts, has completed a six-month study to calculate its carbon footprint. The magazine contracted with a firm called Cooler to measure how many pounds of CO2 its printing, production and

What Went Wrong with the Postal Rate Hike?

Dylan Stableford — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:19:28 -0400

Nothing, says
Time Inc.’s mail czar.

Is This the Worst Time Cover Ever?

Dylan Stableford — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:25:49 -0400

Magazine takes self-deprecating look back.

Did Details Pioneer Front-of-Book Collages?

Joanna Pettas — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:49:19 -0400

Did Details pioneer front-of-book collages?

New York’s Organic Cover

Joanna Pettas — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:03:26 -0500

White-on-white—on pavement.

Hachette to Reorganize Production, Manufacturing Systems

Jason Fell — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:54:42 -0500

Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. this week announced plans to restructure its production and manufacturing systems, following the retirement of manufacturing and distribution senior vice president Tony Romano, who had been with the company for three decades.