In Magazines, Is Bigger Really Better? (2024)

NEW YORK, United States — Among fashion and lifestyle magazines, the growing consensus seems to be that bigger is better.

With its March 2016 issue, Elle US debuted a new trim size of 9 inches by 10 7/8 inches, up from 8 inches by 10 7/8 inches. But the Hearst-owned publication is not alone. In the last year, Condé Nast Traveler, former “lad mag” Maxim and women’s lifestyle magazine More — which has since folded — all increased their trim sizes.

For the most part, larger pages are a bid to increase these titles’ appeal as a platform for advertisers — particularly luxury brands — at a time when driving revenues from print ads is increasingly tough. Print advertising sales at US consumer magazines fell 6.2 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2015, according to media intelligence firm Kantar Media.

“Advertisers saw the eyeballs going towards digital and their budgets weren’t going up, so if they were going to follow [readers] to digital, the money had to come from somewhere,” said Beth Egan, associate professor of advertising at Syracuse University, on shrinking print spend. Bigger trims, she added, are also “an interesting way to add content without adding pages,” which can quickly increase the cost of printing and mailing a magazine.

"We've always done beautiful hero images of accessories and fine jewellery…. A bigger size gives those images more impact," Robbie Myers, editor-in-chief of Elle US, told BoF. "Our advertisers are luxury advertisers, fashion advertisers and beauty advertisers, where the image is paramount."

Elle’s new trim size brings it in line with that of Marie Claire, whose US edition is also published by Hearst Corporation. Elle is now larger than Condé Nast titles US Vogue (8 inches by 10 7/8 inches) and Glamour (7 7/8" inches by 10 7/8 inches). However, Condé Nast-owned W magazine has long used an oversized format, with a trim size of 10 by 13 inches.

"More than ever, everyone wants to stand out," said Stefano Tonchi, editor-in-chief of W magazine. "The future of print is in premium content with a collectible quality." According to Tonchi, W's oversized format "serves as a luxurious environment for our bold and immersive imagery."

Guillaume Bruneau, art and design director at Maxim, said the magazine increased its trim size to 9 by 11 1/8 inches with the “affluent” reader in mind. “The advertisers, especially high-end advertisers, will find our beautiful magazine an ideal place to reach that core audience,” he said.

Maxim’s new trim size was part of a bigger overhaul, as the title attempts to drop its legacy as a “lad mag” and move upscale in the face of sliding sales. On launching the redesign, Maxim also cut the rate base of circulation it offers advertisers from 2 million to 900,000. Bruneau, who joined Maxim from Man of the World, a quarterly luxury men's magazine with an e-commerce store selling items like Rolexes and deluxe stationery, added that Maxim’s new trim size supportsmore “high-end editorial content,” describing each issue as a “collector’s item,” despite its low price tag of $4.99.

This new direction comes from Sardar Biglari, Maxim's editor-in-chief and owner, who initially brought in Kate Lanphear — former style director of T: The New York Times Style Magazine — in September 2014 for a short-lived stint as editor-in-chief. As of December last year, the new Maxim boasted better quality paper and skewed towards more artistic photoshoots rather than images of nude glamour models, content that has lost its cache in recent years, not least because of the availability of free p*rnography online. Playboy also relaunched this March, cutting nudity from its pages and signalling its luxury ambitions by increasing trim size and improving paper stock.

Some also say that bigger is better for attracting attention on the newsstand. Maxim’s Bruneau points out that the December/January 2015 issue of the magazine — its first in a larger size — outsold any other men’s lifestyle magazine throughout 2015. Yet according to Beth Egan, “There’s certainly no research that a particular page size is any more or less impactful than another.”

Indeed, while many in publishing seem to believe that a larger trim size will help to attract readers and boost advertising, a number of titles have taken the opposite approach, scaling down their books.

In 2013, InStyle whittled down its trim size, decreasing its width by 3/8 inches to 8 inches by 10 7/8 inches (the same as Vogue). This didn’t change with a redesign in March 2016 and the magazine told BoF there are no plans to alter its current trim size.

"We don't think trim size impacts newsstand sales positively," said Ariel Foxman, editorial director of InStyle, which is published in the US by Time Inc. According to the publication, InStyle has the largest total circulation among fashion magazines at over 1.7 million. Its readership also has the highest median household income of any large fashion magazine, at $75,730, (the median incomes of Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar readers are between $60,000 and $70,000), according to media and consumer research firm GfK MRI.

When asked if a larger trim size increased a magazine’s appeal to advertisers, Patrick Connors, publisher of InStyle, added, “More important to advertisers is the purchasing power of InStyle’s audience, by far the most affluent across the core fashion category.”

In contrast to the titles adopting the look of coffee table tomes, Foxman believes InStyle delivers convenience for readers on the go. Most women “are not all that interested in carrying around something oversize.”

In Magazines, Is Bigger Really Better? (2024)

FAQs

What is a good size for a magazine? ›

Dimensions: The standard size for printing magazines is 8.5 by 11 and 5.5 by 8.5 inches. You can also find the digest size which runs 5.5 by 8.25 inches.

Are magazines usually A4? ›

A typical magazine size is A4 (210x297mm). Traditionaly the paper stock used for the cover of a magazine tend to be heavier than that of the content and often with a varnish finish. This is why we refer to a publication by the number of body pages “plus cover”, to identify the fact stock and finishing may be different.

What size magazine is Vogue? ›

What is the standard cover size for a Vogue magazine? Vogue Magazine is printed at 8” by 10 7/8”. Other magazine covers vary in size but are generally around 8.5” by 11” give or take.

What is the height and width of a magazine? ›

Magazine Dimensions 8.5 × 11 in.

What is most common magazine size? ›

8 3/8” x 10 7/8” is the most economical and common magazine page size. Most press and bindery equipment is designed to produce this size efficiently and with minimum paper waste. Oversize and undersize magazines can be produced but their cost per square inch is almost always higher.

What size magazine does the US military use? ›

The 30-round rifle magazine has been the standard high-capacity magazine for more than three decades. These devices are used by the military and police around the world, and can be found accompanying popular civilian rifles like the AR-15.

What are the 3 types of magazines? ›

The three types of magazines are consumer magazines, trade magazines and organization magazines. Each type of magazine has a variety of popular subsections and genres.

What font size do most magazines use? ›

An easily legible font size for longer body text as used in magazines and books usually ranges between 8 and 12 points.

Can I carry a 30 round magazine? ›

Last updated July 2020. California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and New York have the most comprehensive prohibitions, banning possession, manufacture, and transfer (including sale) of large capacity magazines.

What is the most sold Vogue magazine? ›

Meghan Markle's British Vogue issue the fastest selling in 103-year history of the magazine, plus other notable covers.

What size is GQ magazine? ›

Display your favorite 8" X 10 7/8" GQ Magazine in our colorful 1 1/4" wide engineered wood frame.

What size are fashion magazines? ›

Square sizes: 5.5 by 5.5 inches 0r 8.5 by 8.5 inches

Square-sized magazines are a popular choice for lifestyle and fashion publications.

How big is the average magazine? ›

COMMON MAGAZINE SIZES: There are two standard sizes for perfect bound* magazines. Standard Size: 8 3⁄8” x 10 7⁄8” is an economical and common magazine page size. Saddle stitched* publications like magazines, journals, and newsletters are often produced at 8.5” x 11”.

What paper is magazines printed on? ›

Magazines are printed on very thin gloss text.

Magazines with very high circulation (think: tens of thousands of copies) print on the thinnest types of gloss text (45 lb to 60 lb). When people talk about magazine paper, that's what they're talking about.

What is the number 1 magazine? ›

Top 30 magazines in the US
RankOutletLocation
1The New York Times MagazineNew York, NY
2T MagazineNew York, NY
3T: The New York Times Style MagazineNew York, NY
4People MagazineNew York, NY
26 more rows

What size is the New Yorker magazine? ›

The New Yorker
Cover of the first issue, with the figure of dandy Eustace Tilley, created by Rea Irvin
Frequency47 magazines per year
Format77⁄8 by 103⁄4 inches (200 mm × 273 mm)
PublisherCondé Nast
Total circulation (December 2019)1,231,715
10 more rows

What gun has the biggest magazine? ›

The Beta C-Mag is a 100-round capacity drum magazine manufactured by the Beta Company.

What magazines do Navy SEALs use? ›

In the end, the SEALs mostly stuck to Colt's 30-round magazines in their M16 rifles and later carbine variants, including the now ubiquitous M-4.

How many mags do a soldier carry? ›

A magazine usually holds 30 rounds, and a U.S. soldier generally takes seven magazines – one in the weapon, and six spares – into combat.

What is the oldest magazine still in print? ›

The oldest consumer magazine still in print is The Scots Magazine, which was first published in 1739, though multiple changes in ownership and gaps in publication totalling over 90 years weaken that claim.

What is the most popular type of magazine? ›

Consumer magazines such as Time, Reader's Digest, and Vogue are the most popular type of magazine publication.

What type of magazine is Vogue? ›

Vogue, influential American fashion and lifestyle magazine. It was founded in 1892 as a weekly high-society journal, created by Arthur Baldwin Turnure for New York City's social elite and covering news of the local social scene, traditions of high society, and social etiquette; it also reviewed books, plays, and music.

What size font is most professional? ›

Best resume font sizes are: 11-12pt for normal text, 14-16pt for section titles and headers. The most-used resume formatting order is: Contact information, work experience, skills, and education.

What is the best font size to use? ›

An effective font size is big enough to easily read but doesn't take up too much space. This means your body text should be a 10-point to a 12-point font, depending on the look you want and your company's preferred style.

How many rounds can a civilian carry? ›

California. The Golden State doesn't allow more than 10 rounds.

Can you fly with ammo in mags? ›

Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage. Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm.

Should I conceal carry with an extra magazine? ›

The real reason it's important to carry an extra magazine is because of potential gun stoppages related to a magazine malfunction. No matter what gun you own, pistol magazines have a lifespan and wear out over time.

Which is better Vogue or GQ? ›

Vogue is significantly thicker than GQ. Typically, the women Vogue targets love to keep up with the gossip and news surrounding the world of fashion and celebrities; the average man does not. The men GQ targets don't care to, or simply don't have time to.

Why is American Vogue so popular? ›

It has been the bible of fashion, design, and lifestyle enthusiasts for almost 130 years. Even though its focus is fashion, Vogue brings fresh takes on interesting topics such as design, architecture, celebrities, arts and culture, travel, fun, and a regular dose of horoscopes.

Who owns all of Vogue? ›

Vogue (magazine)
EditorAnna Wintour
FrequencyMonthly
PublisherCondé Nast
Total circulation (2016)1,242,282
FounderArthur Baldwin Turnure
8 more rows

What does GQ stand for? ›

The letters GQ stand for Gentlemen's Quarterly, which was the former title of the magazine. It appears every month and was first published in the US in 1931 as Apparel Arts.

What dies GQ stand for? ›

Gentlemen's Quarterly was launched in 1931 in the United States as Apparel Arts.

Why is GQ so popular? ›

GQ is known for its relative sophistication among men's style and culture magazines. In addition to fashion, the magazine covers politics, travel, entertainment, sports, technology, food and wine, fitness, health, and relationships.

What are the big 4 Vogue magazines? ›

The Big Four, sometimes referred to as The Big 4, is the name given in fashion to the four most notable Vogue covers; American Vogue, British Vogue, Vogue France and Vogue Italia. The term is commonly used when a model completes all four covers and is considered one of the biggest achievements in the fashion industry.

What is the smaller version of a magazine? ›

What are Zines? Short for “magazine” or “fanzine,” a zine is usually a small-circulation or self-published booklet that's made up of original content.

What size is National Geographic magazine? ›

Non Bleed Space Sizes
Full5 3/4" x9"
146 x 229 mm
Spread13" x 9"
330 x 229 mm
10 more rows

Who reads magazines anymore? ›

People are still reading magazines." According to the Association of Magazine Media, 91% of people read magazines, an all-time high.

Who reads magazines the most? ›

While 91% of all adults read magazines, those aged 35 and younger are more likely to read magazines (93-94%). In addition, 73% of adults agreed that reading a magazine or book in print format is more enjoyable than reading on a device.

Why are magazines still popular? ›

People tend to trust the information printed in a reputable magazine more than digital media. Magazines are seen as a luxury item in this time of pop up media. The look and feel of a magazine cannot be replicated on a screen; printed media is felt, seen, and sometimes smelled….

What is the best paper weight for a magazine? ›

Magazines typically use 80 to 90 GSM paper for the interior pages with a heavier paper for the protective cover.

What font is usually used in magazines? ›

In classical book and magazine publishing, serif fonts have most often been chosen for text, as these have historically been seen as the most legible in longer passages. On the other hand, Modern literature is commonly set with sans serif fonts, because of their associations with 20th Century Modernism.

What is glossy magazine paper called? ›

Coated paper (also known as enamel paper, gloss paper, and thin paper) is paper that has been coated by a mixture of materials or a polymer to impart certain qualities to the paper, including weight, surface gloss, smoothness, or reduced ink absorbency.

What is the first page of a magazine called? ›

The masthead is essentially a one-page informational overview of a publication and everyone involved in its creation. The masthead lists editorial staff, publisher, subscription details, and contact information. Members of the advisory board, readers, interns, proofreaders, and designers are also often listed.

What is the name of the black magazine? ›

Ebony was founded in 1945 by John H. Johnson of Chicago, whose first publishing venture was the pocket-size Negro Digest (1942). Johnson envisioned Ebony as a news and photo magazine patterned much after Life magazine but specifically designed for African American readers. Ebony was immediately successful.

Is there a 200 round magazine? ›

MCR® 200-round Polymer Linked Ammunition magazine. Designed to aid mobility and ammunition handling for belt-fed firearms, minimizing snag hazards when moving through the brush!

Are magazines A3 or A4? ›

Most people remember the sizes they use most often – probably everyone who's worked around a school or office already knows that A4 (the standard copier/printer/magazine single page size) is 210 x 297 mm and that A3 doubles the shorter 210 mm dimension to 297 x 420 mm.

What makes a good magazine layout? ›

All good magazines have a consistent rhythm or beat. Readers like to be able to easily find their favorite sections or columns, and they like to have a sense of where they are in the magazine at any time.

What are the 5 major types of magazines? ›

Let's get right into it.
  • General News Magazines. People often think magazines are similar to newspapers. ...
  • Cooking Magazines. ...
  • Art Magazines. ...
  • Fashion Magazines. ...
  • Tech Magazines. ...
  • Health Magazines. ...
  • Children's Magazines. ...
  • Business Magazines.
Feb 25, 2022

Should magazines be stored flat or upright? ›

Store books and magazines horizontally rather than upright to protect their spines and not stretch them into a 'pyramid' shape. Resist the urge to fill up the spaces and cheat! They will need the airspace to circulate anyway. For newspapers, store them folded up flat in half like a newsstand.

Why is layout important in a magazine? ›

Magazine Page Layout Helps You Connect With Readers

Whether people are accessing your magazine in print or online, they want to see copy and images that are easy for the eyes to follow and that are arranged in a way that's appealing and easy to follow.

What is an ideal layout? ›

Good layout design is both dynamic and clear, creating visual points of interest that guide the reader through a piece of content without overshadowing its message. Many layout designers adhere to a set of principles (like alignment, visual hierarchy, and space) when designing a unique and effective layout.

What makes a magazine cover attractive? ›

The basis of most magazine covers is going to be either a photograph or an illustration. Either way, appealing images tend to have a good amount of contrast between light and dark regions. Obviously, for text to be readable, it must be light and set against a dark background or vice versa.

What are the three most important elements of a magazine cover? ›

Here are the essential elements of a magazine cover design:
  • Masthead.
  • Issue and dateline.
  • Main image.
  • Lead article.
  • Supporting cover lines.
  • Bar code.
Sep 24, 2021

What makes a magazine unique? ›

But what makes a magazine a magazine? Each magazine has a unique mission and vision, target audience and subject matter focus — not to mention its own pool of contributors, publication process and methods for attracting readers.

What should you not say to The New Yorker? ›

27 things you should never say to a New Yorker
  • "The bagels back in St. ...
  • "I love all these fancy new condo buildings! ...
  • "Famous Famiglia's is totally my favorite pizza joint. ...
  • "With all the people living here, dating must be so easy!"
  • "Oh, I'd never take the subway. ...
  • "When I come visit, let's go straight to Times Square!"
Aug 26, 2015

Why is The New Yorker so good? ›

Today The New Yorker is considered by many to be the most influential magazine in the world, renowned for its in-depth reporting, political and cultural commentary, fiction, poetry, and humor.

Is The New Yorker print worth it? ›

News Across the U.S. Access the digital replica of USA TODAY and more than 200 local newspapers with your subscription. The New Yorker:At $109 a year, The New Yorker is by far the priciest subscription on this list, but it's worth every penny. The reporting is superb and the stories are compelling.

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