Download a standard-sized, 8.25" by 10.75" magazine page template. Open the template in Adobe Photoshop or another art program of your choice.
Download a font that fits the feel of the subject matter of your magazine, but is also easily readable. Install the fonts into the "Fonts" folder of your computer by dragging and dropping the files into it. Click on the "Start" menu, go to "Computer," the double click on the icon for the main hard drive (usually "C:"). Open the "Windows" folder and then scroll down until you see "Fonts."
Type the title of your magazine into the template using the font you downloaded. If you don't like the look of the title in that font, repeat step two and three until you get a suitable look for your title.
Place the title near the top of the template page. Be sure you stay within the "Live Area" because anything placed outside the live area could be cut off when the magazine goes to print. Resize the font so that the edges of the letters stay within the "Live Area" on the page.
At the bottom of the sheet using a plain font, such as Times New Roman, Courier, Calibri or Arial, write "Issue XX". Then also write down the price of your magazine, using the same font. You will change the "XX" into the issue number for each issue you make. Like the title in the previous step, make sure all the text stays in the "Live Area".
Leave a space in one bottom corner of the "Live Area" leave a space for the UPC barcode. If you do not plan on having a UPC barcode, then skip this step.
Save the file as "Magazine Cover Template". Make sure you don't save it as a jpeg, gif, or tif file, because the image will automatically flatten and it will be difficult to edit later. The most common file type to save it as which is easy to edit is a PSD file.
Select the bottom layer when it comes time to create each individual cover. Replace the bottom layer by pasting in the image you plan to use for this issue's cover. The image needs to be at a minimum 8.25" by 10.75" to cover the entire template. Position the image as you want it to appear on the cover.
Recolor the title, issue number and price to fit the image. Select each, one at a time, and highlight. Select the color swatches in the toolbox to change the color. Light colors work well on dark pictures and dark colors work well on light pictures.
Save the new magazine cover with the magazine title and the issue number. Save the file as a jpeg or tif if the file is completed and will not require any additional editing. Otherwise, save it as the default file your program creates.
Repeat the final last section for each issue of the magazine you print.