Sarah Francom
It’s been just over two weeks since I joined the Paper Crafts team and let me tell ya…it’s been awesome! So much fun, energy, and passion goes into creating each and every issue. But that’s not to say that the job has been a cakewalk—there’s a lot to learn!
Last week we asked what you wanted to learn about Paper Crafts and we received questions galore. One that kept popping up was about the magazine’s timeline—some of you wanted to know how early we start planning an issue, while others wanted a more detailed month-by-month look.
Well, these questions caught my eye because wrapping my head around the magazine’s production cycle has been one of the most challenging parts of the job so far. It’s crazy to think that the world just ended Halloween while we at the magazine are in the thick of spring and summer. It’s a real time warp! It gets especially mind-boggling when you consider the fact that we’re working on numerous issues (all in various stages) at the same time. So, I thought it would interest you (and help me) if I gave a quick tutorial about how we plan each issue.
Here’s the rundown:
- Sixth months before – The editorial team meets to concept the issue. We don’t leave the conference room until the entire issue, page by page, has a plan. Within one week we send out the call for submissions.
The Paper Crafts editorial team planning the next great issue.
- Five months before – All project submissions are due. Just a few days after the deadline we judge the submission scans, which is definitely one of the toughest things we do! We then send out acceptances and give selected designers about three weeks to send in their actual projects.
Submissions are organized and ready for the judging session.
Kelly, Cath, and Susan in the midst of the submissions judging process.
- Four months before – We hand the projects over to our talented writers who create the articles found throughout each issue.
Projects are packaged and ready for our talented writers.
- Three months before – We begin the editing process, making sure the instructions and supplies lists are good to go. We then hand over all material to our design team who begin working their layout magic.
Holly works on designing the latest issue.
- Two months before – We begin the final proofing process, working hand-in-hand with the design team to make sure each page is perfect.
Each page is examined closely for bloopers.
- One month before – We send the issue to the printer and await its arrival.
As you can tell by this brief rundown, a lot goes into producing each issue. While it can get pretty hectic, there are many rewarding times amidst the craziness. I asked my friendly colleagues what they enjoy most about creating each issue. Here’s what they said:
Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Schaerer: “Having just filled in as managing editor for the past several months, I have to say my new favorite part of the production cycle is final sign-off before sending it off to print (whew!). But my perennial favorite part is, of course, seeing the freshly printed issue.”
Managing Editor Kerri Miller: “Seeing the projects in person for the first time.”
Trends Editor Cath Edvalson: “My favorite part of the magazine cycle is when we sit down to concept an issue. I love the idea that each magazine is a blank slate and we get to tuck columns and features inside it that we know our readers will really love.”
Creative Editor Susan Opel: “Without a doubt, I love sending e-mails to the designers to notify them that their project will appear in one of our issues. It doesn’t matter if they are a brand new or seasoned designer, their enthusiastic e-mails in return are such a joy!”
Online Editor Kelly Smith: “My favorite part of the magazine cycle is always seeing an issue in print. It may sound odd, but since we work so far in advance, my brain has already moved on to the next big issue. So when an issue lands on my desk, fresh from the printer, it’s like an unexpected gift.”
Graphic Designer Holly Mills: “My favorite part is receiving my desk copy of an issue. I love thumbing through the new pages and seeing the final product of many hours of hard work. I like to comb over the tiny design details and think about the places which we’ve done something good and other areas I want to improve. The conversation in my head usually goes something like ‘yes, yes, doesn’t look too bad, okay…wait, no, fix that next time, yes, yes…’”
Because I’ve only been a member of the Paper Crafts team a mere two weeks, I’m not sure which part of the cycle I’ll like best. I’m happy to say that it’s all been a joy so far and I’m excited for the learning and creating ahead of me!
Happy crafting!
Sarah
P.S. What else do you want to know about your favorite magazine? Leave a comment here and it just might be answered in a future blog post!
P.P.S. In case you were wondering what’s written on the Post-It note on Holly’s computer screen, it says: “Sometimes the only sense you can make out of life is a sense of humor.”
How do you decide on a concept? What ones do you wish you had done but didn’t? Any giant goofy ideas you’ve flirted with for concepts?
Thanks so much for taking us, Sarah! I always wanted to know more about that process!! So exciting to see Kelly judging my card – I wish I would know what she said there
WOW this is SO COOL I love that sneak peek inside what it takes to build one of your awesome issues. Thank you for that!
Fantastic article…neat to see the ‘behind the scenes’ pics…
thanks, sarah, for the peek! as a ‘lay-person’, i never realized just how much time and hard work go into making an issue of our favorite magazine. with your piece, i almost got into the time warp! thanks to all for doing the hard stuff, and leaving your favorite part [opening a brand new issue] for us! ~k
Thanks for the inside look! You all do such an awesome job to provide us with such a great publication.
I love that quote on Holly’s computer.
This is so cool to see the inner workings of what goes into an issue. I still wonder how you guys ever narrow down from thousands to only a hundred or so. Are there guidelines you use to eliminate certain projects?
This was fascinating hearing about the timeline and what makes up each part of the process. Thanks for sharing.
Loved hearing about the process!!
Love seeing the behind the scenes process! The attention to details and professionalism makes me love this pub all the more!
OOHH the whole process sounds like a lot of work, but also VERY exciting! Working at a magazine sounds like a great creative job!
FABulos post…Thanks Sarah! I know it’s a ton of work~but we appreciate PC Magazine and YOU all so very much with each and every issue! {{{HUGS}}}
cool seeing the process–it must be odd to work so far in advance–but it probably keeps you on top of the season’s trends!
This was such a fun post to read! I had no idea all the pre-planning work that goes on behind the scence to get an edition ready for us to peek at! Keep up the great work, ladies … we love reading the magazine, and without all of your dilligent work, it wouldn’t be the fab publication that it is!!!
Thanks so much for letting us see all that goes into what you do. A most interesting peek!
I always love the sneak peeks into the process! Thanks again Paper Crafts!
Even though I knew that you all work so hard, it’s still mind boggling how much goes into putting together a magazine. Thanks for showing us how it works. I know my favorite part of each issue….finding it in my mailbox each month!!
Your #1 Fan,
Calamityjane
FAB FAB FAB article!! I LOVE LOVE LOVED this! Thanks for a glimpse into Paper Crafts! I’m looking to more articles that share the behind-the-scenes details!
thanks so much for the inside look-very cool!
I am sooooooo enjoying your inside look. I was an editor for Harcourt School Division and it’s like being back in that editor’s chair. We often spent two years bringing a textbook from concept to hard copy! You are doing a great job with these. Keep ‘em coming!
Wow…so much work goes into each issue. How do you get into the spirit of Christmas in June/July? But then again, you get to celebrate each holiday twice a year!!!
Great sneak peak into the creation of the magazine. I think I appreciate the magazine 10 times more now that I understand the amount of work that goes into it. Keep up of the great work…absolutely LOVE this magazine:)
Thanks for the look behind the scenes! I think I see one of my cards in the submissions judging process pic!
It’s a very interesting article, love reading about the behind the scenes! I’d love to learn more about the photography session for each issue, I’d love to see how are done those gorgeous pictures of people’s creations. Thanks!
I just want you to know that YOUR articles are my favorite now on the blog! I just love your enthusiasm for the newness and curiosity of it all. I think my favorite part would be the selection process of the artwork to be featured. Although that must be very difficult, how wonderful to see all of the different styles and artists work!
Great informative article!! Thanks for sharing the process with us!
Thanks for this fun behind-the-scenes look, Sarah! I’ve always wondered how it all comes together! And what a great surprise to see my card next to Beth Opel’s awesome candle card — your post made my day!
)
this is so VERY interesting. thanks for the details.
This is such a great look behind the scenes! Thanks for sharing the process!
I have always wanted to know a little more about the submission process. What is the total compensation if a card or project gets used in the magazine? If a submitted card is not used in the magazine, can it be submitted at a later date for another chance? Would it be considered a second time? Thanks for a great magazine!
Love the sticky note quote!!!
SOOOOOOOO fun reading about how a magazine/issue is made! I love this post–bookmarking it! I also see some fun projects featured in the pics;) HOOORAY! Thanks for sharing!!
What a great tour of the office, and the process!
Thanks for sharing what goes on in the production cycle!
Welcome to the PC community, it is going to be fun to learn more about you!!
B-
Hey Sarah, welcome aboard. I can’t imagine how much pressure is on each of you to do your part in putting out each issue! Constantly working with a deadline, can frazzle the best nerves! All of you should get Magazine Medal’s! And if there aren’t any of those, we should invent some.
I love my mags and keep them all. It’s like Christmas each time I get a new one. So welcome to the team, I’m sure you’ll do a grand job.
Good luck!
Jessica, (Jazzyjess49)