q|a: what is scribus?

Since I just posted a template for the program, I should probably answer this question ASAP. Scribus is an open-source desktop publishing program. You can learn more and download the program on their website, www.scribus.net. Scribus is similar to InDesign in a lot of ways, allowing you to flow text between text boxes, insert images inside frames, create style sheets, etc. The only place I have noticed where it was lacking was in the bleed settings. Namely, the fact that it doesn't have them. As I mentioned in my prior post though, you can easily get around this by setting your margins to the bleed settings and your page to 8.5"x11". If you keep the margins visible when working in Scribus, they are actually very easy to work within. I wouldn't recommend the program for those who are not computer savvy, and it particularly helps to have some knowledge of InDesign prior to using it. With that said, if you are interested in an InDesign-esque program without the InDesign price, this is a great option.

getting started

To get started designing with MagCloud, you have to set up the document. There are details on how to do this both on the site as well as in the MagCloud Publisher Guide. If you're new to the site and looking to order a magazine to try it out, the Publisher Guide would be a good one to get, as it will guide you through the publication process and also show you the quality of the four-color digital printing that is available through MagCloud.

If you'd rather not set up your document yourself, you can download one of the following templates. With the InDesign and Quark files, the bleeds are set up (0.125" on the top and bottom, 0.25" on the outside edges, and a trim size of 8.25" x 10.75"). The other programs don't allow you to set up bleeds, but you can get around this by setting mirrored margins on a 8.5"x11" page, as I've done for you in these templates. Just be sure to keep in mind that anything within these margins will be cut off when the magazine is trimmed.

Click Here to download for Adobe Indesign CS3 (.indd)
Click Here to download for Adobe InDesign CS2 or CS (.inx)
Click Here to download for QuarkXPress 7
Click Here to download for Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx)
Click Here to download for older versions of Word (.doc - coming soon)
Click Here to download for Apple Pages
Click Here to download for Scribus 1.3.5
Click Here to download for Scribus 1.3.3.12