The is the stage where the initial idea for the magazine or a specific theme for the issue is developed. General editorial direction may be established and ideas for content begin to emerge.
Both editorial content and graphic concepts, including illustrations and photographs, start to be gathered. Stories are assigned, delivered and edited. Photographs or illustrations are selected to go with each story. A cover story or main feature may be selected at this time, as well.
Graphic designers begin to lay out each page of the magazine. This includes all editorial content and graphics, as well as any advertising. While there mght be a rough idea of page order, final decisions about that will likely not be made until each page has been designed.
Because many advertisers pay for space on a specific page, the ads are often placed first and then editorial content and graphics are added.
The file containing the magazine is sent to the printer. The printer prints a proof, one copy of the magazine that is returned to the magazine editors.
The magazine staff goes over each page of the proof looking for errors such as colors that do not look quite right or print that is difficult to read. Once the final proof is completed and any necessary changes made, the printer is given the OK for the final printing.
The printer begins the final printing. Magazines are printed, bound and sent to newsstands and subscribers.