Why magazines are mostly PDF? Text is too small.

david8866 · 04-24-2013, 11:18 AM

What are the technical reasons magazines mostly use not-reflowable PDF format? Text is usually too small, when enlarged, some still look blur; worse of it, my fingers and my mind are tired of drag-and-repostion the enlarged pages. Why not use epub and mobi?

BeccaPrice · 04-24-2013, 11:21 AM

More control over layout, I suppose. epub and mobi are good for linear, long-form reading, but most magazines aren't as linear, I think.

rkomar · 04-24-2013, 12:11 PM

They want you looking at the ads, and reflowable content that fits the screen would hide them.

Also, many designers are control freaks who demand you enjoy the layout as a true artist intended it to be.

mr ploppy · 04-24-2013, 12:41 PM

That and the PDF can be easily created from the same program as the print version using the same files, whereas an epub or mobi would need extra work.

BWinmill · 04-24-2013, 12:46 PM

I'm guessing that there is also an element of consumer demand. How many people would want to go from a publication that has sophisticated formatting and complex graphics to a very linear layout? That's particularly true for readers of publications that depend upon things like infographics and photography.

There may also be some interest in the advertising from consumers. Even though I deplore online advertising and don't much care for newspaper advertising, some magazines do contain interesting advertising. Companies that advertise in magazines seem to get the point: you advertise based upon a specific demographic, rather than the individual or broad demographic. That helps me find cool news stuff (bonus for me) and helps them get out their message (bonus for them).

QuantumIguana · 04-24-2013, 03:36 PM

I read Discover magazine on my, and you can switch from Page View to Text View. If you're in Page View mode, you get the content exactly like it appears in the magazine. If you're in Text View mode, it's more like an e-book. I generally stay in Text View mode, except sometimes I switch to Page View to look at the graphics.

04-24-2013, 11:18 AM	#1
david8866 Zealot Posts: 147 Karma: 1015220 Join Date: May 2011 Device: kindle	Why magazines are mostly PDF? Text is too small. What are the technical reasons magazines mostly use not-reflowable PDF format? Text is usually too small, when enlarged, some still look blur; worse of it, my fingers and my mind are tired of drag-and-repostion the enlarged pages. Why not use epub and mobi?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fonts for body text - a small study (long)	derangedhermit	Workshop	9	08-25-2011 04:27 AM
iPad Zinio for Magazines (Text Settings)	SCION	Apple Devices	7	06-17-2011 08:09 PM
Reader for magazines and pdf	fekish	Which one should I buy?	8	05-31-2011 12:22 PM
PDF Text too small!	thacursedpie	iRex	9	03-18-2008 02:53 PM
PDF Magazines	memobug	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	3	02-07-2007 03:59 PM

04-24-2013, 11:21 AM	#2
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	More control over layout, I suppose. epub and mobi are good for linear, long-form reading, but most magazines aren't as linear, I think.

04-24-2013, 12:11 PM	#3
rkomar Wizard Posts: 3,054 Karma: 18821071 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sudbury, ON, Canada Device: PRS-505, PB 902, PRS-T1, PB 623, PB 840, PB 633	They want you looking at the ads, and reflowable content that fits the screen would hide them. Also, many designers are control freaks who demand you enjoy the layout as a true artist intended it to be.

04-24-2013, 12:41 PM	#4
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	That and the PDF can be easily created from the same program as the print version using the same files, whereas an epub or mobi would need extra work.

04-24-2013, 12:46 PM	#5
BWinmill Nameless Being	I'm guessing that there is also an element of consumer demand. How many people would want to go from a publication that has sophisticated formatting and complex graphics to a very linear layout? That's particularly true for readers of publications that depend upon things like infographics and photography. There may also be some interest in the advertising from consumers. Even though I deplore online advertising and don't much care for newspaper advertising, some magazines do contain interesting advertising. Companies that advertise in magazines seem to get the point: you advertise based upon a specific demographic, rather than the individual or broad demographic. That helps me find cool news stuff (bonus for me) and helps them get out their message (bonus for them).

04-24-2013, 03:36 PM	#6
QuantumIguana Philosopher Posts: 2,034 Karma: 18736532 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2 gen, Kindle Fire 1st Gen, Kindle Touch	I read Discover magazine on my, and you can switch from Page View to Text View. If you're in Page View mode, you get the content exactly like it appears in the magazine. If you're in Text View mode, it's more like an e-book. I generally stay in Text View mode, except sometimes I switch to Page View to look at the graphics.

Advert

Advert