Serial magazines are identified by their International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN). Although an ISSN may not be required for every small circulation magazine, it does make your publication look official; it costs nothing; and it enables libraries to identify and catalogue your publication.
To obtain an ISSN, complete an ISSN application form, which may be downloaded from at the National Serials Data Program website. You will need to accompany your application with an actual issue if it has already been printed, or a mock-up if it has not. The ISSN should be displayed in a prominent place on your magazine, such as the cover or title page.
5. Design your publication
You can design your publication using any number of software programs, but be sure the program you use is compatible with the capabilities of the printer you choose. You will probably want a title page, and this should be the first page the reader sees when he or she opens your magazine. It may contain artwork or just the title, volume, and issue number of your magazine.
It is helpful to print special information about your magazine somewhere in the publication. This information is usually placed on the back of the title page or toward the end of the publication. Include a copyright notice, contact information, names of editors, subscription rates, submission information, and any additional credits or acknowledgements.
A table of contents usually follows the title page. The contents lists authors’ names (last or first and last), titles of works, and page numbers. You may organize the contents in order of appearance, alphabetical by the authors’ names, or divided into separate sections (i.e. for short stories, poetry, and art).
When designing your magazine, avoid clipart, both because it looks unprofessional and because, if you plan to sell your magazine, you could encounter legal issues. Try to find an illustrator or use art and photography solicited from students at local colleges. Also avoid illegible or inconsistent fonts, and include page numbers for easy reference.