The morning alarm blares, signalling the start of another deadline-filled day. As a magazine production artist, my routine involves preparing page layouts, juggling priorities and working through technical tasks under the pressure of client schedules.
First thing
My work is at home. I jump on the treadmill for some steps before a quick shower and seeing my boys off to school. At my desk, I check my overnight emails. Prioritising my responses, I dive into today’s main task: completing three monthly hyperlocal newspapers. The printer, 85 miles away, must receive artwork by 5pm to deliver pallets of copies to my client the next morning. Before that, I have about 20 pages to finish, all while collaborating with the publisher / editor located 30 miles along the Sussex coast.
We share content using Google Drive; I discover several pages are ready. I start with the adverts, maximising time for the originators if I spot any necessary technical corrections. Today, the adverts are okay, although a couple are missing bleed and trim marks, which is fine as we’re working within a newspaper’s non-print margins.
Next, I focus on an advertorial feature and then send the publisher the proof for the advertiser. Speed is of the essence today. While they review the artwork, I shift to the late news content that fills the first few pages of each issue. Some images are low in resolution, but with hands tied, I apply a few upscaling techniques to enhance the definition. Other images need colour balancing and enhancing, which I do methodically. I spot a smartphone-captured image that has been misshot and cropped to the right. I use Photoshop’s AI tools to extend and rebuild that side of the image, ensuring the composition looks good when placed on the page.
The layout process is my next challenge. The newspaper’s publisher / editor is pretty good with word counts, making it easier to fit and balance stories for half and full pages. I import the content into InDesign, the industry-standard software for page layout. Using a combination of paragraph / character / object styles with a hint of GREP in places all help to make formatting copy a swift exercise; however, fitting the copy and images is often a jigsaw puzzle. I adjust the headlines, position and scale images, and add captions as needed. Constantly reviewing the layout, I refine while keeping an eye on the time; there is only so much I can accomplish against the clock on deadline day.
Mid-morning
Mid-morning, I received a call from another client who wanted to discuss his upcoming issue. He was also struggling to source an image. Using our royalty-free image libraries, I quickly find and email a preview image. “That’s great,” he replies, relieving some pressure. With tight deadlines, effective communication is crucial. I pencilled in time the following morning to chat about his issue.
As the day unfolds, I continue with the layouts, hoping my hyperlocal client responds with amendments to the PDF proof I sent the night before. Shortly after 11am, I receive a WhatsApp message saying the amendments are ready. As we’re not continuously monitoring our emails, we only use WhatsApp for urgent notifications on deadline day. I directly import his changes from the PDF proof into InDesign. The amendments are light, which I address quickly. I reply, “Done. All good,” and hold off on sending another proof until everything is in and finalised. I then make headway to complete the recent batch of pages.
By midday, a further batch of pages is ready; I aim to complete them before lunch. Although it doesn’t feel like it, my flatplan shows we’re making good progress, and I follow up with the editor about three outstanding adverts via WhatsApp. His reply reassures me: “All in hand, be with you by 2.”
Afternoon
At 1pm, while hastily eating a sandwich at my desk, a colleague calls with a non-urgent query about a belly wrap for an advertiser. I note to address it the following morning. Lunch is a quick affair, but as I eat, I review pages, catch the odd typo, and add hyperlinks where I can.
It’s not long before I have another WhatsApp message alerting me that the final pages and ads are ready. I estimate needing a couple of hours to complete everything and dive back in, pushing closer to meeting my deadlines while keeping a keen eye on quality.
I check the remaining ads, add hyperlinks, and mark off my hardcopy flatplan. My attention shifts to a late article from a regular contributor. It’s straightforward but takes about 20 minutes as it’s a little fiddly, but I also need to colour-correct its images — pretty much routine for any photo, even stock images, we process.
As I reach the last page — the sports outside back — I’m lucky to have a stunning shot from a professional photographer. It deserves a cutout for added depth, creating a more polished look than a casual smartphone photo. The editor recognises this. Any professional photo makes a huge difference to any publication.
By 3:30pm, my boys arrive home from school, and one makes me a much-needed brew. I then focus on the covers, importing images with a different shot for the lead story. I noticed one image cropped too much; again enter Photoshop’s AI Generative Fill to fix it — it’s a real time-saver. After adding cover lines, I complete Hailsham News and upload a proof to Google Drive. I swiftly move on to Bexhill News and Eastbourne News, messaging my client that the proofs are ready. It’s just after 4.20pm. He replies with a thumbs-up emoji.
While he reviews the final PDF proofs, I address other emails. One client has a handful of amendments ready for a couple of his features, which I apply and send out a new proof within minutes. After checking on my boys, my client sends a WhatsApp message, “HN, BN, EN: good to go”.
Go, go, go
With PDF export settings set for the printers, I export all pages, ensuring proper naming conventions, then check everything in Acrobat Professional. I drag and drop the PDF files into the prepress portal for final raster image processing. After one final check, I pass the final sign-off to my client. With ten minutes to spare, the newspapers were approved for print.
It doesn’t stop there. I create a PDF variant for digital publishing for all three issues, upload files to his digital platform and provide him with shareable hyperlinks for social media and HTML codes for his website. I finish with after-issue backups and housekeeping in readiness for my client next month.
Another deadline met, but I have another in two days. Before I switch for the day, I follow up on my emails ready for the next day ahead, turning off my Mac just after half seven.
About us…
Here at The Magazine Production Company, our services can be delivered in a way that suits you, your project and your budget. Our clients are rarely the same in how they approach their needs. Some need only a certain skill set to bolster their own team, whilst some clients need the whole suite of services. If you’re looking for a production company to partner with in a way that suits you then we are exactly what you are looking for. Our flexibility and experience allow us to fit seamlessly into your project and your team. And if you need to discuss your options with us, we are always available for advice or a free consultation and quote.
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