Four Magazine Mockups
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author Behance
An editorial spread looks better on a four magazine mockup than on a white artboard, and this mockup is set up for exactly that.
It’s a handy file for publishers and editorial designers. One thing worth knowing: dark designs often look flat on paper mockups. Turning the highlight layer up slightly brings back the sheen.
Print jobs are expensive to redo, so a realistic preview before the order goes out is cheap insurance.
Use it for
- An editorial spread
- A magazine cover
- A company newsletter
The file is made by a designer on Behance. The download button takes you to their page, where you get the original file and the licence details.
What you can edit in this Four Magazine Mockups
The PSD is layered, so you can change:
- Your design, placed through the smart object
- Paper texture you can turn up or down
- Front and back artwork, where both sides are shown
- Shadows and highlights on their own layers
Add your design to the Four Magazine Mockups
- Export your artwork as a high-resolution PNG or JPG, around 300 ppi at print size.
- In the Layers panel, find the layer with the small smart object icon and double-click it.
- Paste your design, resize it to fill the area, then save (Ctrl/Cmd + S) and close that tab.
- Change the background or paper colour with the colour layer.
- Export with File › Export › Export As: JPG for sharing, PNG for the web.
One more thing: keep text at least a few millimetres from the edge. The mockup shows the trim, and cramped margins read as a mistake.
Best uses for this Four Magazine Mockups
- Make two or three colour versions of an editorial spread and let the client pick.
- Share a company newsletter on Instagram, Behance or Dribbble with a real-looking preview.
- Present a magazine cover in a client proposal or brand guide.
Before you download
- Made by a designer on Behance. The download size and format are listed on their page.
- Some free mockups ask for credit when you post them. A short line in your caption is enough.
- Built for Adobe Photoshop. A recent CC version handles the smart objects best.
More free magazine mockups are listed below, each linking to the original author.
Questions about this mockup
Can I use this magazine mockup for client work?
That depends on the author's terms. The download page lists what is allowed; when in doubt, ask the author directly.
How do I add my design?
Open the file in Photoshop, double-click the smart object thumbnail, paste or place your artwork in the new tab, save it (Ctrl/Cmd + S) and close. The main file updates on its own.
Which Photoshop version do I need?
A recent Photoshop CC version is best. Older versions can open the file but sometimes have trouble with smart objects and effects.
Will my artwork look printed or pasted on?
Most print mockups keep the paper texture and lighting on separate layers above your design, so it takes on the grain and shadows. If it still looks too clean, lower the opacity of your artwork a little.
