Realistic Magazine Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author GraphicBurger
Presenting a company newsletter? Put it on this magazine mockup and the client sees the real thing, not a flat file.
It’s a handy file for design students and editorial designers. If the paper has texture, drop the opacity of your art by a few percent so the grain shows through.
It also makes a good cover image for a Behance or Dribbble post, where the first thumbnail decides whether anyone clicks.
Works well for
- A company newsletter
- An editorial spread
- A magazine cover
Credit goes to GraphicBurger. We link to their download page rather than re-uploading the file, so check their terms there before commercial use.
Realistic Magazine Mockup: editable parts
Everything below is on its own layer:
- 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
How to edit this Realistic Magazine Mockup in Photoshop
- Export your artwork as a high-resolution PNG or JPG, around 300 ppi at print size.
- Open the file in Photoshop and double-click the smart object thumbnail in the Layers panel.
- Place your design, hide the sample artwork, save, and go back to the main file.
- Tweak the shadow and highlight layers to suit your colours.
- Save a JPG for clients and social media, and keep the PSD for later changes.
One more thing: export your artwork at the size the smart object asks for; scaling a small file up is the usual reason print mockups look soft.
Where the Realistic Magazine Mockup works best
- Use it as the cover image for a company newsletter in your portfolio.
- Share a magazine cover on Instagram, Behance or Dribbble with a real-looking preview.
- Show an editorial spread on your online shop or product page.
Before you download
- Made by GraphicBurger. 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.
Need a different angle? The magazine mockups category has plenty more free PSD files.
Questions about this mockup
What licence does it come with?
It's free to download, but the licence belongs to GraphicBurger. Check their page: it states whether commercial use is allowed and if attribution is needed.
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.
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.
