Creating Magazine Covers of Your Students

 

One of the computer programs I adore is Print Artist Gold 22. It costs less than twenty dollars and is my resource for creating newsletters, posters, and signs. It also has a built in template to help create magazine covers for each of your students. I am using these covers to help create portfolios for each student and would like to share how easy it is to do so with your class as well.

Print Artist Gold Overview

Before moving on to the how to portion of the magazine template, I'd like to share a sample newsletter that can be made using the program. I purchased it at Target and enjoy the saving options available. This includes saving works as a JPG photo (like below) or a PDF file where it can not be modified. I've included a sample newsletter from the beginning of the year. I didn't use any photos from the gallery, but a large collection is provided with the program.One of the best features to me is how quickly it loads up and saves. A must for busy teachers.

 

PDF version: Download Introduction_newsletter  

5 Steps to Making a Magazine Cover

Step 1: Take a photo of your students with an interesting background.

Step 2: Open up Print Artist Gold 22. Under new projects look for the "Just for Kids" link. From there many magazine covers and coloring sheets will pull up. Although the magazines shown below are not the best offered, it does include the template I started with. I wanted to show our start to finish product.

 

Step 3: Import the photo of the student by replacing the main photo in the template (ex-two children above). Click on the font boxes to change what you would like it to say.the program allows for multiple layering, so moving work around is done with ease.

Step 4: To make the cover look more realistic you can follow these two optional steps:

a. Save and import a JPG ISBN code from the Internet. Place it in the bottom left hand corner.

b. If you have knowledge of how to work with green screen, using photos with a green background save photos under a program like ULead or Pinnacle. Import the results like a photo.*

Step 5: Save as a PDF to save and print for each of your students. If needed, you can save the work as a JPG. I use mine as the portfolio covers for the year.

* I have some other links that detail how to work with green screen capabilities (look under the quick links post). Here is the photo I used to import for Kendall's cover.

Before:

 

After:

 

Have any questions? Comments? Other resources that are quick and easy? Let me know. I'm always looking for more...

Comments

[Angela]

Emily,

That's great to hear. I use this program at least twice a week...from posters, to letters, to magazine covers, you can't beat the 19 dollar price tag and ability to save as a PDF.

Smiles,

Angela

[Emily G.]

Angela,

Thanks for sharing Print Artist Gold with me. I am not really good with tech. stuff, but I was able to make a nice newsletter with the program. I also got it at Target.

Keep up the good work,

Emily G.