FAQs
2. How do I go about creating one?
3. How long do they take to create?
4. Planning your magazine?
5. How do I know they are working?
6. How much time and effort will I have to put into it?
7. Who owns the magazine?
8. Code of conduct
9. How much is spent on customer magazines?
10. What's the key findings of the Mintel report on the industry?
11. What if I miss my deadline?
12. What if I need to change text after I have signed off my proof?
13. Any other questions
14. What if I want to change the specification after I have confirmed my order
15. What costs will I incur if I wish to change the original specification?
16. Additions or changes to your specifications
17. Illustrations and maps
18. Origination (creating film and scans)
19. Colour proofs
20. Photography
21. Editorial services
22. Mailing services and extra delivery
23. I cant download my PDF proofs help
24. My colour cromalin proofs look different to my printed copies
25. Not all of my corrections have been done on my proofs
26. I want to increase the print run of my publication
27. I need to speak to someone urgently out of hours
28. I have other questions that are not answered here
29. I have a ‘panic’ publishing requirement. I need it yesterday, what do I do?
30. My proofs have not arrived, help
31. I have a query on my invoice
How much will it cost to produce a customer magazine?Some customer magazines cost nothing - in fact some make a substantial profit in their own right. Costs very much depend on your longer term marketing objectives and the market you are communicating with. Some magazines will attract significant third-party advertising revenue, others are less likely to. In all cases, you need to create a budget to “prime the pump” and to create the framework of the magazine and its on-going development.
CredibilityGroup publishes magazines for as little as £2,000, and over £100,000. The first thing to do is talk to a reputable publishing agency. They will give you a clearer idea on costs and likely income projections.
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How do I go about creating one?Have the courage to be different. One of your key objectives will be to get noticed. Shortlist up to three publishing agencies with the help of the Association of Publishing Agencies. It is vital to comprehend what a customer magazine is capable of.
Ask the agencies you shortlist to tell you how they propose to work with you, how they will achieve your marketing objectives. For a full check- list on the type of questions you will need to ask, simply request a copy here at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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How long do they take to create?From concept to delivery, a 16 page magazine can take as little as 20 working days including writing, design, repro and print. More sophisticated magazines will take longer. For example a 64 page magazine researched and written by specialist journalists may take around 30 - 50 working days. CredibilityGroup will work with you to develop your project schedule in accordance with your needs.
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Planning your magazineWe would need to meet with you and immerse ourselves in your culture, brands and operating methods. Once this has been achieved we will address the following points.
How would we approach your communications?
Identify and agree the marketing objectives you must achieve and those that you would like to achieve.
Identify and plan for the possible agendas of your target audience who will receive and be influenced by the publication.
Agree a strategy that will ensure that your objectives will be met, bearing in mind the relationship that each publication serves.
Agree budgets, timescales and measurement systems with you.
Translate this research into a more effective publishing concept.
Conceive, write, design and produce a publication to achieve agreed outcomes.
Develop third party marketing initiatives and income as appropriate.
Develop database in association with you and manage the circulation and feedback mechanisms and keep the client informed at all times.
Ensure on going evolution of publications through feedback evaluation and response levels.
Regular feedback forums between readers, clients and publishers to ensure that any communication is cost effective and is reaching agreed objectives.
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How do I know they are working?A customer magazine is a serious investment, both in terms of finance and profile. It is essential to decide what it needs to achieve and what events will have to take place before it is deemed successful. Your chosen publishing agency should be willing to support the benchmarking process and to help identify tangible goals for your magazine.
Your magazine will be successful if it has clear and measurable objectives. Customer magazines are amongst the fastest growing mediums because they work.
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How much time and effort will I have to put into it?Naturally, there will be planning and research required from you initially. It is important to have someone within your organisation that becomes the magazines ‘evangelist’. It really depends on the kind of relationship you wish to build with your agency. Many will be willing to use their own infrastructure to support the process and will be very ‘hands on’
CredibilityGroup always offer to take as much of the hassle and burden out of the process and ensure that the ‘evangelist’ has the key information and retains control
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Who owns the magazine?In most cases, you do. In some circumstances, a joint ownership may exist where a strategic partnership may benefit both parties. For example, a partnership may reduce the risk for both parties and will enable both to bring required resources to the magazine. Most ‘normal’ customer magazines are owned by the clients we create them for. Guided carefully by the agency, the magazine will become a very significant asset for the business that commissioned it.
Each agreement is different and your agency should guide you through the options and give you best advice
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Do you have a code of conduct?Yes. We abide by the following code of conduct, based upon the 'Association of Publishing Agencies' conduct for members.
Conduct
We will at all times conduct our affairs in a professional and ethical way, and in accordance with the current Codes of Practice of the APA and the PPA. We have a positive duty to observe the highest standards in the practice of customer magazine publishing.
We ensure that our employees act in accordance with the spirit and letter of this code at all times.
We shall not engage in any practice or be seen to conduct ourselves in any manner detrimental to the reputation of the industry.
Quality
We will endeavour to ensure that all our work is produced to the highest possible standard in accordance with our clients' marketing and financial objectives.
Contracts
We recommend that there is a legally binding contract for each job and each contract should include a definition of the project and the fees payable, together with a production schedule, payment terms procedures in the event of cancellation and in the event of a dispute, and clauses covering confidentiality and liability.
Agency commission
We normally pay commission at their standard rate to advertising or other agencies introducing work.
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How much is spent on customer magazines?The Customer Magazine publishing industry had a £450 Million turnover by year 2006 in the UK alone. A further 80 £Million is earned through third party advertising in these titles. Turnover in 1998 was 182 £Million.
Source: Mintel Special Report on Contract Publishing
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What's the key findings of the Mintel report on the industry?1. Each client spends on average, 23% of their marketing budget on their customer magazines.
2. Four out of ten businesses expect to increase their spending on customer magazines next year.
3. Measurability of the success of customer magazines is becoming an increasingly important part of client requirements.
4. Four out of ten adults retain customer magazines for future reference.
5. Customer magazines generate over £50 Million in advertising every year.
6. 71% of customer magazines are delivered by post.
7. The customer magazine industry is growing by 17%, year on year.
What if I miss my deadline?We work with you to ensure that your deadlines are met. We use 22 printers throughout the UK and South Africa and very rarely have to report delays, even if the client is late with approval on occasion. Our production staff will implement contingency plans to alleviate any delays you may experience. We always promise to keep you informed of your publication's journey through the production process. For further information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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What if I need to change text after I have signed off my proof?This depends on how much time has elapsed after you have authorised us to print your magazine. We can normally make changes right up to the point where we are about to print. Changes after sign off get progressively expensive after each production process has been completed. To receive a free Handy Hints Fact Sheet to help you through these production issues, please contact us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Any other questionsWe are keen to provide answers to questions you may have. If you would like us to address any questions relating to Relationship Marketing, Customer magazines or any other related issue, please e-mail your question to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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What if I want to change the specification after I have confirmed my order.No problem, just let us know as soon as you can. We will make alterations to any part of your publication specification that you need. There may be an impact on your schedule and you may incur costs, but everything is normally achievable. The price you have been quoted will be the price you pay. If you alter the specifications, a different set of charges will apply. For more specific advice, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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What costs will I incur if I wish to change the original specification?The options and extras detailed here are to help you evaluate costs of any likely enhancements or changes you may require for your publication over and above the previously agreed specification. If any of the following needs further explanation, we’d be delighted to help.
Call us your evangelist on or e-mail us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Additions or changes to your specifications.Authors corrections after receipt by the client of the first proof will be charged at £89.00 per hour. Some clients specifically request more proofs before charges are incurred for corrections. Please check your binding quotation to see how many proofs have been agreed without charge.
Each illustration, cartoon or chart/graph produced in excess of any base amount already included on your quotation £99.00 per hour.
Text material supplied in manuscript form will be keyed in by our experienced staff for £30.00 per hour.
To enhance or manipulate photographs or images, (ie, move one person out of one picture and place in another or take out grey sky and add in blue) allow for £160.00 per hour. Most simple tasks can be achieved in around 50 to 90 minutes. This would also apply to ‘montaging’ pictures together particularly if they use ‘cut-out’ images.
Costs vary depending on the country you are based in. Please ask for further information.
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Illustrations and maps.To allow for any full colour bespoke illustrations, please allow for an additional £250.00 for each. Depending on the amount of detail required, budget for around £00.00 to £800.00 for a copyright-paid map to be created.
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Origination (creating film and scans).
For each additional positive scanned image over and above the base quote allowed for, add £39.00 for 4 colour and £29.95 for mono.
For each positive scanned image cut-out over and above the base quote allowed for, add £33.50.
Knock back (reduce or increase ‘strength’) a scanned image, add £33.50
Authors corrections to colour proofs/film. Please remember that any changes to the film may endanger your schedule. One small change to text may necessitate four new pieces of film, a new colour proof and the cost for the planner to make amendments. We will advise you as to the most economical method should this be necessary.
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Colour proofs.Cromalin colour proofs are highly recommended and are essential for checking tints, register, fit and to ensure that your pictures and other images are as near to perfect as the original permits for full colour work. They are the last opportunity you will have to check your publication before print. Without cromalin colour proofs, the quality, suitability and registration of the colour print cannot be guaranteed. Some printers may refuse to guarantee print integrity without cromalins to act as a guide.
Allow the following per single one sided page:
£16.50 for A5, £33.00 for A4 and £48.50 for A3.
Colour lazer proofs are available to help you decide on colour selection before the publication is prepared for origination. They are not an alternative to colour cromalins but are helpful in evaluating colours. Allow £3.95 per A4 sheet.
Low resolution scans can also be added to the lazer proofs to help in your picture selection. Add £3.95 per scan so used.
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Photography.Credibility Pictures is a very flexible picture library. You tell us what pictures you need (or we can suggest them), you pay just £35.00 each time you use them. Far cheaper and less time consuming than commissioning your own.
Alternatively, our photographers are for hire on contract basis from £350.00 per day plus materials and expenses.
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Editorial services.Our journalists and researchers can provide you with professionally written text at a rate to suit you. Budget for around £200 per 1,000 words. Or, you could just ask our sub editors to scan the text for unwanted jargon and to suggest headlines. Budget £149.00 per 1,000 words.
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Mailing services and extra delivery.We arrange pollybagging and Royal Mail Presstream and Mailsort services at a very competitive rate. Please let us know your requirements and we will provide you with a competitive quotation. Use either our own Freepost or Mailsort services or your own.
For each extra static delivery address, budget for around £100 to £150, depending on how many in each delivery and where the destination is
All above prices are exclusive of any applicable VAT. Prices are based on current material costs and are subject to our standard terms and conditions of sale, available upon request. Increases in costs, if and when they occur will be calculated and advised in writing at the appropriate time.
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I can't download my PDF proofs, help.All your proofs have been saved as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file. With each thumbnail image there is a link below to download your PDF and a description of the file size, which is in kilo bytes. Each file is prefixed with an extension called .pdf. Normally a 100k file will take about 10 seconds to download on a 56kbps modem.
To download a PDF file and to be able to view it, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download free from the Adobe Web site. Just click on the icon below and follow the instructions given to you, here you are able to obtain Acrobat Reader for all computer platforms.
Most version 4 web browsers come with Adobe Acrobat Reader so please check your hard drive before you decide to download the application. If you do not have a version 4 or above web browser, then it's probably a good idea to upgrade if you are going to use this site and other web sites often. Upgrading to the latest web browser is easy, just click on the following links for Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, both web browsers can be used on either Apple Macintosh or PCs.
Down loading PDF files and saving to your hard drive.
One of the main problems when downloading a PDF file, is that your web browser will open up Adobe Acrobat Reader for you to read the file. This method of viewing PDF files on-line takes longer than just saving the file to your hard drive. It also increases the memory for your system to run two applications at the same time whilst on-line.
There is a way that you can quickly download all of your PDF files and view them later once you are off-line, this will save you both time and money and is probably the best method.
The instructions that will follow are for Netscape Navigator users, but it is the same principle for Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Open your Web browser, you do not have to be on-line to be able to do this. Then open up your preferences panel.
Once you have opened up your preferences panel, scroll down on the left hand side window until you come to Applications, select and highlight Applications, you should have something similar to the image below.
Next scroll down in the right hand window until you come to Postscript Document or PDF file, if you have both, then you will need to do the following for both applications. Select and highlight the text where it shows that Adobe Acrobat is the application that will open all post script documents. Once highlighted then click on the edit button below.
Once you clicked the edit button a new window will appear similar to the one below.
Next click the 'Save to disk' radio button and then click OK. Now when you download any PDF file you will be prompted where you want to save the file. Your web browser will not open Adobe Acrobat Reader whilst you are still on-line but only save it as a PDF document. Once the PDF files are downloaded you can then disconnect from the internet and open the files to view in Acrobat Reader, or print out your proofs.
Your PDF files have been designed to give you the best quality possible and an accurate representation of what your publication will look like, whilst maintaining fast download times. They are, however, not to be compared to the final product that we will produce for you in terms of print quality. But this does allow you to have up to the minute, continuous access to your proofs and saves on other expenditures.
If you have any other problems viewing your PDF files then please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us on +44(0) 8450 536840
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My colour cromalin proofs look different to my printed copies.Cromalin proofs are always glossier and deeper in colour than the printed version. This is due in part to ‘dot gain’ which, put simply, makes the colour cromalins up to 15% deeper or darker than the printed version. Other differences may be due to the fact that cromalins are printed on totally different material.
Analogue cromalins may be output from actual film and digital cromalins are output from the document itself. The benefit of requesting digital cromalins is that you may change things without incurring additional film costs. You may however corrupt the schedule. If it is likely that changes will be made at the final proof stage, ask the Studio manger to output digital proofs.
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Not all of my corrections have been done on my proofs?If a mistake has been made, we apologise. It may be that your earlier proofs have been mis-interpreted or that the designer simply missed the instruction. Depending on where in the schedule this has happened, you have the following options.
Make the correction on the next proof.
Telephone the studio manager and ask for the amends to be done verbally.
For advice on marking up proofs, please e-mail us to receive a free Handy Hints Fact Sheet to help you through these production issues, please contact us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the Handy hints page.
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I want to increase the print run of my publication.Simply call the studio manager or e-mail him This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as soon as you can. If the print run has been made and all copies are printed, we can print more. This will be more expensive than requesting ‘run ons’ before print commences, but it is possible. Your account executive will give you a quotation.
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I need to speak to someone urgently out of hours.Please e-mail your emergency hours telephone number request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Someone will be able to support you as soon as they receive the message. Our official office hours are 8.30am to 6.30pm GMT. Seven days a week.
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I have other questions that are not answered here.We are anxious to make this site as comprehensive and useful as possible. Please tell us what we can do to improve this site click here If you would like any specific questions answered, then please e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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I have a ‘panic’ publishing requirement. I need it yesterday, what do I do?If it has been booked in with us, call the Studio Manager. We will do all we can to ‘fast track’ it for you. If it's not booked in, call straight away or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the specification details or use the Get Quote and detail when it needs to be with you. We will create a schedule that meets your needs.
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My proofs have not arrived, help.Normally, your proofs are pdf'd to your specified e-mail address. Let us know if you are experiencing problems. It may be that your schedule has been compromised for some reason and your studio manager will be able to assist you.
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I have a query on my invoice.Please let us know of any query within five working days of receipt. If the amount billed is different from the amount invoiced, it is likely that you have specified options over and above the original specifications. Please call your account executive to explain this further, or refer to earlier FAQ 'Additions or changes to your specifications'.
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