Plastic A4 Magazine Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author Pixelbuddha
If you’re presenting a company newsletter, this plastic A4 magazine mockup makes the idea feel real before anything is produced. The plastic surface is the main character here, so designs with some contrast stand out best.
Publishers and design students tend to get the most out of files like this. Tip: dark designs often look flat on paper mockups. Turning the highlight layer up slightly brings back the sheen.
It also makes a good cover image for a Behance or Dribbble post, where the first thumbnail decides whether anyone clicks. For a complete brand board, show it next to a business card and a notebook.
Use it for
- A company newsletter
- A magazine cover
- An editorial spread
The file is made by Pixelbuddha. The download button takes you to their page, where you get the original file and the licence details.
What’s inside the Plastic A4 Magazine Mockup PSD
The PSD is layered, so you can change:
- Your design, placed through the smart object
- Front and back artwork, where both sides are shown
- Paper or background colour
- Shadows and highlights on their own layers
Editing the Plastic A4 Magazine Mockup, step by step
- Get your artwork ready at print size, with 1/8 inch of bleed if it runs to the edge.
- 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.
- Turn the texture layer up or down to match the paper you’ll print on.
- Save a JPG for clients and social media, and keep the PSD for later changes.
One more thing: use CMYK-friendly colours in the artwork itself, even though the mockup is RGB, so what the client sees is close to print.
Where the Plastic A4 Magazine Mockup works best
- Show a magazine cover on your online shop or product page.
- Make two or three colour versions of a company newsletter and let the client pick.
- Use it as the cover image for an editorial spread in your portfolio.
Good to know
- Made by Pixelbuddha. 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.
- Check the smart object size before you design, so your artwork fits without stretching.
Need a different angle? The magazine mockups category has plenty more free PSD files.
Questions about this mockup
What licence does it come with?
Pixelbuddha 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.
Do I need Photoshop?
Yes. This is a PSD mockup built with smart objects, so you edit it in Adobe Photoshop. Any recent CC version works.
Can I show both sides?
It depends on the file. Many print mockups include a front and a back smart object; the preview usually shows whether both sides are visible.
