Magazine cover key ingredients

There are nine key ingredients used to make a magazine successful:

Masthead: The name of the magazine displayed in the typeface in which it is designed. This is the visual branding of the title and is usually done in a unique typeface so it is recognisable.

Dateline: Month and year of publication, often with the price. Note that a monthly magazine usually hits the news-stands the month before the cover date.

Main Image: In most cases on magazines covers the images are used in a classic way, the face of the model being big enough to make an impact on the news-stand with the model making full eye contact.

Model Credit: It is unusual for such a credit to appear on the cover.

Coverlines: Most magazines uses a lot of cover lines, which are distributed around the main image without detracting from it too much.

Main Cover Line: This is very large - taking up about a quarter of the cover area - and comes in three layers, each with a different colour. They are ususally positioned against a section of the model's body so it stands out more clearly.

Left Third: The left third of the cover is vital for selling the issue in shops where the magazine is not shown full-frontage. The title must be easily recognisable in a display of dozens of competitors. The start of the masthead is important here.

Bar Code: Standard barcode used by retailers.

Selling Line: Short, sharp description of the title's main marketing point, for example, 'The world's number 1 magazine for young women', or perhaps setting out it's editorial philosophy.

Splash: Every different feature on the magazine cover when finished.