• Easy PDF upload process
• Saddle stitched in 3 to 4 days
• Perfect bound in 4 to 5 days
• No minimum order fuss
• Paper sample packs available
• Test print before full run
• Instant quote calculator
• Free file check
• Expert advice throughout
• Free UK tracked delivery
You know what it's like. You spend weeks getting the layout right, sourcing the photography, sweating over the paper stock choice in InDesign, only to get the finished prints back looking flat, slightly off-colour, or just... not quite what you imagined.
That's the problem with generic printers. They don't really understand what a magazine is supposed to feel like in someone's hands.
We do. At Ex Why Zed, we print for artists, photographers, independent editors, design students, and creative studios. We know the difference between a 115gsm silk that makes colour photography sing and an uncoated stock that suits a text-heavy literary publication. And we'll tell you which one is right for your project before you commit.
If you've been searching for magazine printing near me in Manchester and finding options that feel too corporate, too complicated, or just not built for independent publishers, that's exactly the gap we fill. We're a printing company UK creators across the country trust for magazine printing services.
Not sure how the whole process works? Our video guide walks you through it step by step, from artwork setup to binding choices to what happens after you upload your file. Useful if you're printing for the first time, and worth a watch even if you've done it before.
The paper you print on is half the experience. It's what the reader touches before they've read a single word. Here's a quick guide to the main options we offer.
Most magazines fall somewhere between 90gsm and 170gsm for inside pages. Here's how the main finishes break down:
Most of our magazine customers go for 115gsm or 130gsm silk inside pages. It's a solid middle ground: quality without show-through, and a weight that doesn't feel flimsy.
We typically recommend a 250gsm to 350gsm cover to give your magazine a satisfying weight and structure. You can choose from:
Request a free paper sample pack
The format you choose shapes how your content reads and how the magazine feels to hold. Popular sizes include:
You can also opt for custom sizes up to A3 portrait (saddle stitch) or A4 landscape (both binding styles).
If you're working to a tight budget, A4 or smaller is usually the most cost-effective route. Larger formats require a different press setup, and that's reflected in the price. If you're not sure, just ask.
Use our Instant Quote Calculator
The binding method determines how your magazine looks on the shelf, how it sits in the hand, and how many pages it can comfortably hold. Here are the two most common options.
This is the classic indie magazine binding. Sheets are folded in half and stapled through the spine. It lies flat when open, which makes it easy to read from cover to cover. Best for up to around 40 pages.
The delivery time for most stapled magazines is 3 to 4 working days.
Pages are stacked, trimmed, and glued into a wraparound cover with a square spine. It gives your magazine a bookshelf-ready, book-like finish. You can even print on the spine. This is a common choice for projects with 40 or more pages.
Perfect-bound magazines are typically delivered in 4 to 5 working days.
Printing your first magazine can feel daunting if you've never done it before. Here's how the process works, from start to delivery.
Got a tight deadline? Please get in touch directly or email us at hello@exwhyzed.com, and we'll do our best to assist you.
Here are a few recent projects from our print floor. Different sizes, different specs, different audiences. All produced with the same attention to detail.
SHOWCASE 1: Sidewalk Magazine Redux 2
A bi-annual compendium of Sidewalk's online skate issues, produced as a premium collectible book. 252 x 203mm, 180 inside pages on 170gsm silk, 350gsm silk cover with matt lamination, perfect bound. The kind of physical object that makes you remember why print matters.
SHOWCASE 2: Peak Magazine Issue 4
An oversized A3 experimental publication with a nested layout rather than traditional binding. 96 inside pages on 100gsm offset FSC certified paper, 130gsm gloss cover. Bold, deliberately non-standard, and exactly what the editor asked for.
SHOWCASE 3: Moof Magazine Issue 12
An independent art and music magazine with a 70s aesthetic and eco-friendly material choices. FSC certified papers throughout, vibrant full-colour print, delivered to a tight launch deadline. A proper independent publishing project, done right.
Everyone starts somewhere. If this is your first print run, we'll walk you through the whole thing: how to set up your artwork, what resolution your images need to be, how bleed works, which paper to choose, and how binding affects your page count.
Our file setup guides cover the most common questions. However, if something's not covered, please reach out to us, and we'll take care of it for you.
From your print file to your doorstep, our custom magazine printing service is built around speed, precision, and reliability. Upload a single PDF, choose your number of pages, paper type, and finish, and our digital printers will produce your magazines with vibrant colours and sharp detail for the best results.
Every order includes free UK delivery with full tracking, so you’ll always know your estimated delivery date.
Need international shipping? We also deliver worldwide.
Whether it’s a quick turnaround for short runs or larger runs, your magazines arrive safely packed and ready to impress from front cover to back cover.
Take a look through our showcase of recently printed and bound magazines.
Ellie, Self-Publisher
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Fantastic quality books and expert advice and support.
I have been using Ex Why Zed for three years, and they have printed over 40,000 children's books for me. At every stage of the process, they have been incredibly helpful, supportive, and professional. The quality of the books is brilliant, the colours are vibrant, and the overall look and feel of the books is exactly what I wanted. I cannot recommend Mike and the team enough - especially if you are a self-published author with limited knowledge of the printing process - they will guide and support you throughout the whole journey in bringing your book to life!"
With years of hands-on experience in magazine printing, we know that every detail matters. We’re an online service powered by real print specialists, committed to delivering your magazines on time and exactly as you envisioned.
Got a few final details to check before printing your magazine? From paper choices to file setup and delivery, we’ve covered the key questions to help you move forward with confidence.
It depends on page count, paper, binding style, and quantity. For a rough idea, 100 copies of an A4 saddle-stitched magazine on 130gsm silk inside pages with a 300gsm silk cover typically start from around £135. Use our instant price calculator to get a figure specific to your project.
Yes, we can print from a single copy. If you're looking for the best single magazine printing option, perfect bound gives you the most polished result, even on a one-off run. It's ideal for a portfolio piece, a client proof, or a limited launch edition. The per-unit cost comes down as your quantity goes up, but there's no minimum that forces you to order more than you need.
Yes, every time. Free tracked delivery is included on all UK orders, and we ship to Manchester and across the North West regularly. You'll receive a tracking reference once your order has been dispatched.
A print-ready PDF works best. Set up your pages as single pages (not spreads), include a 3mm bleed, and make sure your images are at least 300dpi. Our artwork setup guides cover everything in detail. And we'll do a free file check before we go to print, so if anything looks off, we'll let you know.
Yes. If you'd like to see a physical copy before committing to your full quantity, just ask when you place your order, and we'll arrange a test print. It's a good idea for longer runs or if you're trying a new paper or format for the first time.
If your magazine is up to around 40 pages, saddle stitch is usually the right call. For 40 pages and above, perfect binding gives you a cleaner, bookshelf-ready finish. If you're right on the boundary, drop us a message, and we'll advise based on your specific page count and paper weight.
