You’ve poured hours into designing your magazine — the layout is tight, the visuals pop, the copy’s clean, and the fonts are carefully chosen. But here’s the thing most people overlook: the paper. It’s not just a surface to print on; it’s part of the experience. Whether you're a graphic designer bringing a creative concept to life or a brand publishing your first magazine, choosing the right magazine paper for printing can make or break how your work feels in someone’s hands.
The glossy paper might make your colors shine, but does it fit the mood? The uncoated stock feels raw and authentic — but will your images hold up? And what about page weight and texture, and how does it affect cost? If you're unsure where to start, you're not alone.
In this blog, we’ll break down how to choose the best magazine printing paper — without the guesswork — so your magazine looks great and leaves a lasting impression.
The type of paper you choose is essential for your magazine's style and how readers feel about it. There are particularly two types of magazine paper printing. Let's have a look at it.
Coated paper grabs attention with its shiny finish and vivid colors. It’s ideal for high-gloss magazines, and its protective coating resists moisture and damage.
A clear, side-by-side visual comparison of magazines printed on various GSM weights by Ex Why Zed, highlighting how paper thickness impacts durability, appearance, and the overall premium feel of the finished product.
Coated paper is perfect for a sleek, professional look, but be mindful of glare. Semi-gloss or matte finishes offer the same vibrancy with less shine, balancing appeal and readability.
Looking to bring your magazine to life? Ex Why Zed, a leading printing firm, offers a sleek combo on soft copies of 100 copies—300 gsm silk for the cover and 130 gsm silk for the inside pages—all for just £114. Avail quality and style, without breaking the bank.
Uncoated paper has a natural, textured feel, making it great for text-heavy magazines like journals or newsletters. It reduces glare, enhances readability, and absorbs ink for softer images.
Eco-friendly, budget-friendly, uncoated paper is recyclable and works well for shorter runs. While not as durable as coated, it’s perfect for cost-conscious, sustainable projects.
Various paper trends are currently ongoing in 2025. These include:
Commercial magazine printing relies on high-end glossy paper and advanced printing technology, making home printers less suitable. Standard home printers often struggle with thick, glossy finishes, limiting their ability to deliver vibrant colors and crisp details. They are usually restricted to lightweight, everyday paper, which doesn’t achieve the same professional look.
If you’re determined to print magazines at home, you might be able to use thinner glossy paper, like 80 lb gloss text, if your printer allows it.
However, professional digital printing services, like opting for paper magazine print from Ex Why Zed's Magazine Printing Service, can be your best bet.
Printing with ExWhyZed is fast, easy, and reliable. Just send us your PDF—we’ll handle the rest. From 3-day delivery on stapled magazines to perfect bound copies in just 5, we move quickly without compromising quality. Need a small run? Get instant pricing for up to 20 copies.
Plus, we also offer storage, fulfilment, and distribution, plus free file checks and paper samples. And if you have questions, real humans are here to help with friendly, expert advice.
Overall, our expert service offers the precision and high-quality materials necessary to produce a magazine that truly stands out.
Glossy magazines are printed on specially coated paper with a high-gloss finish that makes colors and details pop, bringing photographs to life. This paper is a favorite for fashion, lifestyle, and photo magazines, offering a vibrant, eye-catching look.
These magazines often use thicker paper, measured in grams per square meter (GSM), with a higher GSM indicating stronger, more durable paper that resists tearing. The covers typically feature even thicker glossy paper, providing a premium, lasting feel. The inner pages and cover benefit from shiny paper, elevating the magazine’s quality and adding a touch of luxury to high-end publications.
Choosing the right paper weight balances quality and cost. Most magazine interiors use paper between 115 and 170 GSM for flexibility and durability, while covers typically range from 218 to 270 GSM for a sturdy, premium feel.
Heavier paper improves appearance but increases shipping costs, a factor to consider for bulk distribution. Lighter paper keeps costs down for promotional or trade magazines.
If longevity and a premium feel are your goals, higher GSM paper, which refers to the weight of the paper, delivers professional results without compromising practicality.
The size of the paper affects how magazines look and the cost to print. Here’s a simple guide:
Standard Size (inches) | Usage |
|---|---|
8.5 x 11 | Most cost-effective for general printing |
5.5 x 8.5 | Great for small, text-based magazines |
11 x 17 | Best for large magazines |
Standard printing sizes help publishers keep costs low. Custom sizes can make magazines stand out and meet special printing needs. Before choosing the right format, consider how you will distribute your magazine.
When selecting a paper for your magazine, consider both your budget and quality needs. You must also test different paper types to learn their durability. In the following sections, let's discuss the same.
Your budget plays a key role in paper selection. Affordable options often use thinner paper for interior pages and thicker paper for covers. Striking a balance helps maintain an attractive finish without blowing your budget.
Consider eco-friendly choices like recycled or lighter GSM paper. If you aim for a premium feel and want to attract high-end ads, glossy or coated paper can elevate your brand, justifying the extra cost.
The lifespan of your paper depends on its strength and usage. Glossy, coated paper lasts longer, resists damage, and is ideal for collectible magazines.
On the flip side, uncoated paper is eco-friendly but wears down quickly. For long-lasting, high-quality results, go for heavier-coated paper.
At Ex Why Zed, we make choosing the right paper for your magazine easy and impactful. Whether you’re aiming for vibrant gloss to showcase stunning visuals or a textured finish that speaks to your brand’s authenticity, we have you covered.
Our team works with you to find the ideal paper that aligns with your vision, budget, and target audience. With a deep understanding of printing techniques and paper options, we ensure your magazine looks great and feels right in your readers’ hands.
Contact us today to create a publication that leaves a lasting impression, one page at a time.
The paper you select for your magazine is more than just a surface—it reflects your brand’s identity, including your logo. From glossy finishes that elevate visuals to textured options that invite readers to linger, the right paper sets the stage for a memorable experience.
It’s about finding the perfect balance between durability, cost, and the feeling you want to evoke in your audience. Each paper choice tells a story of luxury, practicality, or creativity.
When you get it right, your magazine becomes more than just reading material—it becomes a tangible piece of art that resonates with every page turn.
The cheapest choice is lighter GSM paper, like 80-100# gloss text for interior pages and uncoated paper for sections with a lot of text. Using lightweight paper also helps reduce shipping costs, making it even more affordable.
Absolutely! Recycled paper is good for the environment and still maintains quality. The colors might look less bright than shiny paper, but using recycled paper shows a commitment to eco-friendliness. It attracts readers who care about the planet.
The type of paper you choose affects how your magazine looks and feels. The glossy paper makes the colors pop and enhances the graphics. On the other hand, matte or uncoated finishes give a classy touch to text-heavy designs. Choosing the right paper helps to improve artwork and how your brand is viewed.
Magazines usually use glossy paper with a shiny coating for bright images. For magazines packed with text, they prefer thicker uncoated paper. A high GSM gives the paper strength. The different paper finishes help make the final product look the way the designers want it to.
If you’ve ever gotten a printing quote and thought, “Wait—why is this so expensive?” you’re not alone. Magazine printing costs aren’t pulled out of thin air—they’re built layer by layer, and if you don’t know what goes into it, you’ll likely overspend or end up with a product that misses the mark.
Whether you're a small business owner crafting a niche publication, a marketing manager planning a brand magazine, or a creative professional doing a one-time print run, understanding where every penny goes is crucial.
From paper weight to binding choices, color runs to volume discounts—each detail nudges your cost up or down. This blog doesn’t just list expenses; it helps you make more intelligent, more confident decisions based on your goals and budget.
Printing a magazine shouldn’t feel like a guessing game—it should feel like a well-planned investment with no surprises.
Printing a magazine involves much more than just ink and paper—it’s a complex mix of decisions and components that all add up to the final cost. Each choice impacts your bottom line, from the type of paper and number of pages to the binding method, magazine size, and quantity ordered. This breakdown of key elements will help you make an informed decision and give you a clearer picture of where your money goes.
The paper you choose sets the tone for your magazine in terms of quality and cost. From glossy finishes that make images pop to matte or uncoated papers for a more refined look, each type comes with its own price tag.
At Ex Why Zed, you can avail yourself of various paper types for your magazine, be it coated, uncoated, or offset papers, depending on your choice.
When it comes to printing, offset and digital are the two main methods. Offset printing, while having higher setup costs, is perfect for large print runs and offers exceptional color quality. Meanwhile, digital printing is faster and better for smaller runs or personalized content, though it may not match the level of quality of offset printing.
Your choice depends on volume, timeline, and budget—find the method that balances cost and quality for your needs. Ex Why Zed delivers both offset and digital printing services, and to know the cost for your next project, you can always request a quote.
How your magazine is bound—saddle stitch or perfect bound—also affects the magazine printing price list. Saddle stitching is the best bet for thinner magazines and is more cost-effective. On the other hand, perfect binding, which provides a professional, square-edged spine, is ideal for thicker magazines but comes with a higher price tag.
Nevertheless, the binding style should match the number of pages, desired aesthetic, and budget.
More prominent magazines cost more to print simply because they require more paper. Opting for standard paper sizes like 8.5" x 11" can help keep costs manageable. But, more pages mean more material, ink, and shipping costs.
Magazines are typically designed with page counts divisible by four to optimize printing, so plan accordingly to avoid unnecessary expenses.
One of the easiest ways to lower your per-unit cost is by printing more copies. The setup costs remain constant regardless of the number of units, meaning larger orders benefit from economies of scale.
If you plan to distribute a high volume of magazines regularly, it makes sense to print in bulk to maximize savings.
Beyond the main printing elements, don’t forget to factor in the hidden costs of design, pre-press, and any special features you might want. Hiring a designer or paying for professional pre-press services like color correction and layout adjustments can add up.
And if you opt for luxury touches like embossing or custom die-cuts, those also come with a premium price.
Once your magazines are printed, the next hurdle is shipping and distribution. These costs depend on weight, distance, and delivery speed, which can affect your turnaround time.
Whether you’re mailing out individual copies or delivering them to retail outlets, factor in these logistics to avoid any surprises in your final budget.
By understanding each of these cost components, you can make smarter decisions, balancing quality and affordability to create a magazine that stands out without breaking the bank.
Besides, when it comes to professional magazine printing, Ex Why Zed’s Magazine Printing Service delivers unbeatable speed and quality. Simply send us your PDF, and we’ll take care of everything. Need your stapled magazines fast? We’ve got you covered with 3-day delivery. Prefer perfect bound? No problem – expect it in just 5 days. For smaller runs, enjoy instant pricing on up to 20 copies.
We go beyond printing. With services like storage, fulfilment, and distribution, plus free file checks and paper samples, we’ve got every detail covered. And if you have questions, our friendly team is always ready to provide expert guidance.
In the end, we offer the right combination of precision, quality, and efficiency to make your magazine stand out, no matter the scale.
With all the factors we've discussed, you might wonder, so what's the bottom-line number? How much would it typically cost to print a magazine? To give you a ballpark figure, the average printing cost for a magazine usually ranges from £0.30 to £3.60 per unit (for custom magazines). But remember, this is an average, and actual prices can vary significantly depending on the specifics of your project.
For example, ExWhyZed offers Custom Size Softback printing (ranging from any size larger than A5 up to A4), available in both wire-stitched (stapled or saddle stitched) and perfect bound (PUR) options. With a choice of 300 gsm Silk for the cover and 130 gsm Silk (satin) for the inside pages, your magazine will have a premium look and feel. For 100 soft copies, the cost is 135.70 GBP, making it just 1.35 GBP per piece—perfect for high-quality, cost-effective magazine printing.
Remember, any combination of the key factors discussed above—paper type and weight, page count, binding method, print run size, and added features/furnishes—will affect this per-unit cost. As such, it's essential to carefully consider each factor, aligning it thoughtfully with your budget constraints and quality requirements.
At Ex Why Zed, we believe that high-quality magazine printing shouldn’t come with hidden fees or surprise costs. From your very first quote to the final print run, we provide full transparency on pricing, so you always know what you're paying for.
Whether you're printing a short-run indie zine or a large-volume glossy magazine, our team works with you to balance quality and cost without compromise.
Let’s make your magazine stand out — without blowing your budget. Reach out to us today for a clear, custom quote and expert support from start to finish.
Printing a magazine costs more than just putting ink on paper. Every decision you make, from the paper quality to the binding, page count, amount of time, and quantity, directly affects the cost and the final product’s appeal.
But don’t stop there; behind-the-scenes costs like design, pre-press work, and shipping can sneak up on you. The secret to getting it right? Partnering with a transparent printing company like ExWhyZed that guides you through the printing process.
The goal is simple: find that sweet spot where high quality meets a wise budget, ensuring your magazine looks fantastic and offers real value to your readers.
Custom magazine printing costs range from £0.30 to £3.60 per unit. This varies depending on paper quality, binding method, page count, size, and quantity. We recommend getting detailed discussions and quotations from us for accurate estimates.
Apart from the direct costs related to paper, size, page count, binding, and quantity, there are hidden costs like design services, editing, pre-press activities, and shipping and distribution. These 'additional' costs can significantly impact the final budget and must be factored in from the beginning.
Yes, ordering a large quantity of magazines benefits from economies of scale. The setup costs get spread across more units, effectively reducing the cost per magazine. So, if you have a regular need, bulk printing can prove to be more cost-efficient.
The choice of paper type, weight, and binding method directly impacts the magazine's cost. More luxurious and heavy paper stocks will be costlier. Similarly, more professional binding options, like perfect binding, would be more expensive compared to saddle stitch.
