Magazine.io is designed for publishing PDF-based content online.

The main file you upload is your PDF publication. You can also upload a cover image to represent the publication visually.

PDF publications

Your publication file should be uploaded as a PDF.

The maximum PDF file size is:

• 100 MB

Magazine.io is suitable for PDF content such as:

• Magazines
• Catalogs
• Brochures
• Newsletters
• Zines
• Menus
• Reports
• Guides
• Lookbooks
• Portfolios
• Event programs

Before uploading, make sure your PDF is final and ready to publish. Magazine.io does not edit, redesign, or correct the PDF after upload.

Optimize your PDF for web viewing

For best results, your PDF should be optimized for online viewing, not exported as a heavy print-quality file.

Print-ready PDFs are often created with very high-resolution images, crop marks, bleed settings, embedded print data, and large file sizes. These files may be useful for professional printing, but they are usually not ideal for online reading.

Before uploading, we recommend exporting or saving a web-optimized version of your PDF.

A web-optimized PDF should be:

• Clear and readable
• Reasonable in file size
• Fast enough to load online
• Optimized for screen viewing
• Free of unnecessary print-production data

This helps your publication upload faster, load faster, and provide a better reading experience for your readers.

Cover images

Each publication should also have a cover image.

The cover image is used as the visual preview for your publication in your dashboard, publication page, and other display areas.

The maximum cover image file size is:

• 5 MB

Recommended cover image formats:

• JPG
• PNG

For best results, use a clear image of your publication cover or first page.

Recommended PDF quality

For the best reading experience, your PDF should be:

• Clear and readable
• Not password-protected
• Optimized for web viewing
• Reasonable in file size
• Correctly oriented
• Free of broken or missing pages
• No larger than 100 MB

Large PDFs may take longer to upload, load, or download, especially for readers on slower connections.

What should I avoid uploading?

Avoid uploading PDF files that are:

• Password-protected
• Corrupted or incomplete
• Extremely large without optimization
• Rotated incorrectly
• Low-resolution or hard to read
• Still in draft form
• Over 100 MB

Also avoid uploading unrelated files such as Word documents, spreadsheets, ZIP files, videos, or design source files. Magazine.io is intended for finished PDF publications.

Best practices for PDF files

Before uploading, we recommend checking your PDF by opening it on your own device first.

Make sure:

• All pages are included
• Text is readable
• Images look clear
• Links work if your PDF includes clickable links
• The file opens normally
• The file is not locked or password-protected
• The file is optimized for web viewing
• The file size is 100 MB or less

When possible, use a web or screen-quality export setting instead of a print-quality export setting.

Best practices for cover images

Your cover image should clearly represent the publication.

Good cover images are:

• Sharp and high quality
• Not blurry or stretched
• Easy to recognize
• Similar to the actual PDF cover
• Uploaded in portrait format when possible
• 5 MB or smaller

If your publication has a designed front cover, use that as the cover image.

Can I upload other file types?

No. Magazine.io is focused on PDF publishing.

You should upload your publication as a PDF, plus a separate cover image if required.

The publication file must be a PDF, and the cover image should be a JPG or PNG image.

Summary

Upload your finished publication as a PDF file and use a clear JPG or PNG cover image. PDF files can be up to 100 MB, and cover images can be up to 5 MB.

For best results, make sure your PDF is readable, complete, not password-protected, and optimized for online viewing rather than print-quality production.