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I was at the local library yesterday, and I saw the July/August issue of Papercrafts magazine. It was so thin that it didn't even have a spine, just a fold over stapled. Wow. Is this a sign of things to come, or are the summer issues just light on content? Wondering if this is another company going the way of digital. Any thoughts?
I can't speak to the question, exactly, but I know that I personally have not subscribed to any magazines for years now. I felt like what the printed pages offered was a repeat of things I'd seen on blogs, or here on Splitcoast, or elsewhere - nothing new or fresh, and several of them seemed to be slanted heavily towards a particular company. I also got tired of there being more advertising than content. I still prefer print catalogs over digital, though...
It would be interesting to know whether the page count is really a lot lower or whether they've switched to a lighter weight paper to keep costs down and that's made it physically thinner. I'm afraid I don't see the mag over here in the UK so I can't say one way or the other.
PaperCrafts has been developing more and more "supplementary" content digitally so maybe they're pushing that way. Of course it's possible to get a digi-only version of the magazine already if you like your mags on screen. They seem to be doing more special issue stuff too (Holiday Cards and More just came out and they're doing things like Stamp It! Techniques) and I think those are quite substantial (Holiday Cards and More is 132 pages).
I thumbed through another magazine this morning in the grocery line, and it's mostly advertisements, less content of stories,recipes. Just a sign of the times I guess.
__________________ Patrice. Organized people are just too lazy to look for things.
I think the special issues (the $15 ones) are the ones with the best content. I find the regular issues full of ads and the regular batch of contributors.
I've bought ONE card magazine since Feb 2009. Don't subscribe to any either. This site, my demo's monthly workshops, Pinterest and blogs give me all the inspiration I need! Hate all the ads too.
__________________ Cindy in Oregon
Last edited by Cartermrc; 10-24-2013 at 03:32 PM..
Creating Keepsakes is moving more and more toward a completely digital magazine. They are offering most of their articles digitally, and their latest magazine was the same format as the Paper Crafts mentioned above. Since CK and PC are part of the same company, it doesn't surprise me that PC appears to be going the same way. So sad. I love my "physical" magazines.
The only magazine I still buy is CardMaker. And I won't subscribe to any digital mags. I like to have it in my hands and be able to refer to it when I want. Papercrafts has some nice stuff in it, but not enough to get me to buy it when I can get a lot of that here.
i quit subscribing to PC ages ago for a lot of the same reasons - so much free inspiration available online and they have the same handful of contributors making exactly the same thing in the same style as when i started crafting 7 years ago. They don't mix it up at all. So if that's the only style you like it's a great mag but if it isn't (and it wasn't for me) then the mag is not all that useful to get....
Interesting thread! I noticed the same thing when the last edition of Creating Keepsakes was delivered...I was shocked at how thin it was! Seems like it is one of the more spendy mags too...I've decided I won't be renewing...I really don't scrap, I just enjoy the content.
As far as Paper Crafts goes, I hadn't noticed so much with that one. I do know that both mags also have online content but like many mentioned here, I enjoy holding the magazine and flipping through the pages. There is just something so satisfying and relaxing to sit and look at my leisure! If I go on a lengthy car trip, I take a stack of magazines to keep me occupied and I like to keep one in my purse for those times I'm waiting for the kids, waiting at the Dr. office, etc. I also love the Paper Crafts special edition issues...great content!
I'm so thankful that there are so many resources available to us crafters, including the fabulous SCS! What would we do without this site?
An issue or so ago, they announced that the issues would be smaller, but they were adding digital content.
I am not impressed and will not be renewing my magazine subscription when it expires. I have enough digital resources and I quite enjoyed having a magazine to tuck in my bag....but sadly those days are coming to an end and I will not pay for a subscription when there are tons of free digital sources of inspiration.
I wonder if they are going the same way food companies are. You know the deal there....they make the product smaller so they can keep the price the same and you think prices aren't rising....ice cream boxes are getting smaller and smaller. And if you follow a recipe from years ago you can't go by a "can" of canned milk because the cans back then were larger!
I think the handwriting was on the wall. Here's the announcement:
As a valued contributor to Paper Crafts magazine, I wanted to be sure you received this information directly. It was also posted on our blog this morning.
As you know, magazine publishing has been rapidly evolving. More and more information is available online where inspiration is immediate, up-to-date and easy to use and share. For the last several issues, the full version of Paper Crafts magazine has been available to you in digital format with a smaller, companion print version.
I'm delighted to share that, starting in January, Paper Crafts magazine is now going to be published monthly in a digital-only format. This new monthly format means we will be able to bring you the latest trends, advice, techniques and inspiration faster than ever!
We're also changing the name of our magazine to Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking, to reflect the addition of memory-keeping and photo-based features in each issue. You'll continue to enjoy the same paper crafting inspiration you love...with even more in the new monthly Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking.
Although the November/December issue will be the last one in print, subscribers will continue to receive Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking magazine in digital format and will get two issues for every one issue left in each subscription.
Thanks for your support of Paper Crafts over the years, and we look forward to working with you on this new venture!
I'm delighted to share that, starting in January, Paper Crafts magazine is now going to be published monthly in a digital-only format. This new monthly format means we will be able to bring you the latest trends, advice, techniques and inspiration faster than ever!
I'm glad someone's delighted by it, because it sure isn't me.
So what Specialty Paper Craft magazine is out on the racks that cost $15?
I always see this magazine.
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
Right now, I think there is a holiday one and maybe a birthday one. They've done sketch ones, color inspiration ones, etc.
I always see these out on the racks. Never bought theses as I thought way too much! Does anyone buy these?
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
Wow! That's sad. So what happens to those people who don't have a computer?
Do they get their money back? I know we live in digital age. But some people are going to miss out on this.
I don't mind getting in digital form. But I don't want to be online all the time.
What If I want some information and I don't have internet? Then what?
I wonder if they have thought this through enough?
I know. I used to work at Michaels and when I would ask people to sign up for rewards cards- that is when Micaels had rewards cards, it would only be through internet use. There would be a lot of people that don't have computers because of cutting expenses. Or because older people just don't want to deal with learning something new .
Oh the crap I would hear about internet only for the rewards card!
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
Of course the publishers want to offer ideas we want so we buy their magazines.
However, I think the problem is the nature of the print industry. The lag time between choosing content to final print run is often 4 months or more. Current trends are old by the time they feature them in a magazine, so they often take the safe route and feature generic ideas and we don't want or need those.
Ideas and trends travel so fast that the Internet is the only logical place to find them.
Who among us is eagerly waiting for their magazine to get ideas for how to use Washi tape or the new envelope punch boards :lol:
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
Thanks for the heads up. I am definitely not continuing my subscription. If I wanted a digital copy, I would surf the internet and visit my favorite blogs and websites. So I guess I will continue my "blurfing" and put money in the the tip jars of my favorite sites.
Quote:
Originally Posted by maryrose
I think the handwriting was on the wall. Here's the announcement:
I'm delighted to share that, starting in January, Paper Crafts magazine is now going to be published monthly in a digital-only format. This new monthly format means we will be able to bring you the latest trends, advice, techniques and inspiration faster than ever!
Although the November/December issue will be the last one in print, subscribers will continue to receive Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking magazine in digital format and will get two issues for every one issue left in each subscription.
Thanks for your support of Paper Crafts over the years, and we look forward to working with you on this new venture!
I was at the local library yesterday, and I saw the July/August issue of Papercrafts magazine. It was so thin that it didn't even have a spine, just a fold over stapled. Wow. Is this a sign of things to come, or are the summer issues just light on content? Wondering if this is another company going the way of digital. Any thoughts?
I was going thru my back issues of Papercraft and they were much thicker; I was shocked at how thin the last one was. Papercraft use to be my favorite magazine, but lately there has been nothing special about it at all.
I am so sad about this news, although it has been evident this is where they were headed. I love having a paper copy to look forward to, to thumb through, and to save for future reference. It was great eye candy that I could tuck into a tote.
OK, please don't tar and feather me & beat me silly. But I actually like the ads in my print craft magazines and have really been sad at the reduction in the number of ads. I'm talking about total number of ads, not ad to editorial content ratio, I've discovered new (to me) stamp companies, websites and products.
Anyone besides me still mourning the loss of the Rubber Stamper magazine?
Dea
Anyone besides me still mourning the loss of the Rubber Stamper magazine?
Dea
Rubber Stamper was my favorite magazine and I even bought old issues from eBay. I've been kind of purging the 1990 issues, but still have a pile that I refer to and get ideas from. Is Rubber Stamp Madness still published?
FTR, I won't look at digital magazines. I'll just look here if I'm searching for online inspiration.
The only magazine I'm really interested to see when it comes out anymore is the Stamper's Sampler. Papercrafts has looked so repetitive the last few years - just nothing new to me.
And I also was never bothered by the ads, Dea. Especially when I was new to stamping - it was fun to discover new companies and products through the magazines.
I loved PC. I still have magazines for years ago. But the magazine became so thin and not to my liking. The only magazine I get now is Scrap and Stamp. I like the stamping/paper craft magazines from the UK. Once in awhile I buy one, for the free stamps/papers. But magazines are so expensive. Cheaper to go to library and browse at older issues.
OK, please don't tar and feather me & beat me silly. But I actually like the ads in my print craft magazines and have really been sad at the reduction in the number of ads. I'm talking about total number of ads, not ad to editorial content ratio, I've discovered new (to me) stamp companies, websites and products.
Anyone besides me still mourning the loss of the Rubber Stamper magazine?
Dea
Me, me, me!!! I still have every issue that I bought. Back in the days, my best friend rec'd a box of early issues from someone. She shared. Oh, the joys! The Rubber Stamper is the only magazine I've held onto.
I haven't subscribed to Papercrafts in quite some time, but I do still buy some of their special issues.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
OK, please don't tar and feather me & beat me silly. But I actually like the ads in my print craft magazines and have really been sad at the reduction in the number of ads. I'm talking about total number of ads, not ad to editorial content ratio, I've discovered new (to me) stamp companies, websites and products.
Anyone besides me still mourning the loss of the Rubber Stamper magazine?
Dea
I also enjoy the ads and found many new things to try just by looking at the ads.
I miss the Rubber Stamper so much. I look through my back issues and get more ideas from them than I do the newer magazines out today. I stopped picking up a lot of them because they all look the same.
Cindy
Yes, Rubber Stamp Madness is still published. In fact, I will have a card published in their Holiday issue. Their website is still taking submissions for their Spring and Summer 2014 issues.
It was disappointing when PC published smaller paper issues and sent subscribers to their web site for "more." I never have done that. I like to have the paper copy in my hands. For the past couple of years I've given my sister a gift subscription and am glad I've not renewed it. Because of where she lives, she either has very slow dial-up or essentially no internet access. She would not dare try to look at the magazine at work and I don't think she'd have the time or inclination to go to a library to look at it. So, that one's done.
No matter what they say, this is about money. Paper pages cost; internet publishing is virtually free and content is limitless. There are no "page" restrictions. I know; I'm in the business.
Card Maker is now published only four times a year but the content is still pretty good. I actually just renewed my subscription. I too like to have the printed copy in my hands.
I do not think it is fair to give only subscribers access to the digital content associated with a magazine issue. If I buy it in the store, don't I have the right to the content that goes with that issue also? Why can't they put some type of code in the middle of the mag to give you access to only content from the issue you purchased?
Did anyone else see the announcement? Paper Crafts AND Creating Keepsakes and
joining together - that is why the name will be Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking.
__________________ Karen - proud owner of 3 cats and a 80 lb, German Shepard Owner of an unorganized scrappy place I CAN ONLY SHIP IN THE USA
I do not think it is fair to give only subscribers access to the digital content associated with a magazine issue. If I buy it in the store, don't I have the right to the content that goes with that issue also? Why can't they put some type of code in the middle of the mag to give you access to only content from the issue you purchased?
If you subscribe to Card Maker magazine (print edition), you also get access to the previous two years digital copies, as well as the current one.
Did anyone else see the announcement? Paper Crafts AND Creating Keepsakes and
joining together - that is why the name will be Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking.
And they are going digital only. No more print magazine. Sad indeed.
Papercrafts Magazine...so thin!
