Printing files

Just to add a point, you may have been asked to send an RGB file to print, that’s OK.

If you're sending CMYK files, then you must know what CMYK ICC profile to use, the ICC profile sets the ink mixes.

Print processes differ in the ink mixes needed - based on method (could be sheet fed / web / flexo) and on media, is it coated uncoated etc. If you convert your images etc to CMYK without knowing the right CMYK ICC profile it's kinda like trying to hit a dartboard in the dark. It's really unlikely you'll even get close. 

If your computer screen is correctly calibrated then you should see a pretty good match to the same image on a phone,

try this test

please go here and download the Adobe RGB testimage:

https://www.colourmanagement.net/index.php/downloads_listing/

Open in Photoshop -

Now on the phone - in a browser open this link: 

https://tinyurl.com/mobiletestimage-jpg

I have a calibrated Eizo Coloredge Graphics display and when I do that using my iPhone X I get a great match

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

Hi,

Lumigraphics suggestions are really good and I highly recommend that you follow them. Two things to think about: Never use png or jpg files for print. If you do decide to use InDesign (which I highly recommend) you can import your native .psd files directly into the program--and they work great. Jpg is a compressed web format and is not good to use for print. Png files ususally don't have the resolution for print, because it also is a web format.

And speaking of resolution, make sure all of your Photoshop files are 300 ppi. This will save you from the headache of fuzzy looking print images that look like garbage. Psd files, at 300 ppi, will give you good print files to turn into your printer. 

Another good thing about InDesign, is it is made for doing large amounts of type, where photoshop is not. If you bring last year's design into InDesign, you can recreate the type size and style in InDesign and it will look sharper and cleaner than Photoshop. InDesign is also has better use of type features like tracking, kerning and paragraph control. It also has Paragraph and Character Styles that will save you a lot of time in working with magazines. Definitely look into these things, because they will save you time and create a more cohesive design.

I use Photoshop and InDesign for just about everything--including 4 quarterly magazines and 3 quarterly booklets. Let us know if you have any other questions,

Michelle

You are running into an issue known as color management. To get mostly accurate colors, the entire chain of devices from computers to displays to printers to software must support color management. If you can get ahold of a hardware calibration device, you can calibrate your computer displays.

Is this magazine going to be printed or online? Is it a print-on-demand or do you have a commercial printer doing it? Does your faculty advisor have experience with color design and printing?

One note, Photoshop is NOT the right tool for designing a magazine. If you have access to Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress, these are pro-level page design apps that would be the right choice for creating a magazine.