Magazine Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author MockupFree
A magazine mockup, made for presenting an editorial spread. Drop in your artwork and the lighting and shadows stay as they are.
It’s a handy file for editorial designers and publishers. Tip: 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. If you’re building a full identity, pair it with an envelope or letterhead mockup for a matching set.
Good for
- An editorial spread
- A magazine cover
- A company newsletter
MockupFree created this one and hosts the download on their own site, so you always get the latest version straight from the source.
What you can edit in this Magazine Mockup
Open it in Photoshop and you can change:
- Your design, placed through the smart object
- Paper texture you can turn up or down
- Shadows and highlights on their own layers
Add your design to the Magazine Mockup
- Export your artwork as a high-resolution PNG or JPG, around 300 ppi at print size.
- Open the PSD in Photoshop and find the smart object layer, usually named “Your Design” or “Place Here”.
- Drop your artwork in, fit it to the canvas, save and close. The mockup updates by itself.
- Change the background or paper colour with the colour layer.
- Save a JPG for clients and social media, and keep the PSD for later changes.
Use CMYK-friendly colours in the artwork itself, even though the mockup is RGB, so what the client sees is close to print.
Ways to use this Magazine Mockup
- Use it as the cover image for an editorial spread in your portfolio.
- Share a magazine cover on Instagram, Behance or Dribbble with a real-looking preview.
- Show a company newsletter to a client before it goes to print or production.
Before you download
- Made by MockupFree. The download size and format are listed on their page.
- Check the smart object size before you design, so your artwork fits without stretching.
- Check the licence on the author’s page. Personal and commercial terms differ from file to file.
- Some free mockups ask for credit when you post them. A short line in your caption is enough.
Scroll down for similar magazine mockups from other designers.
Questions about this mockup
Is it free for commercial use?
MockupFree sets the licence, and it can differ from file to file. Many free files allow personal and commercial use, but some are personal-only or ask for credit. Read the terms on the download page before a paid project.
How do I put my artwork on the magazine?
Find the smart object layer (it has a small icon on its thumbnail), double-click it, place your design, then save and close that tab.
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.
