Costs to make a magazine iPad App
So you’re curious: “How much does it cost to make a magazine iPad App?”
[NOTE: Updated as of January, 2014. Originally published August 3, 2011.]
Specifically, this article covers the use of Adobe’s Digital Publishing Suite (DPS) to create multi-folio (multi-issue) publications or periodicals for the iPad.
Quite a bit has changed since this article was originally written in 2011. There are a lot of variables to consider in this endeavor and so I’m just going to keep it as simple as possible!
If you are starting with an existing print publication, you will need to consider the costs of the design/conversion of the existing files into the layouts needed for the iPad. This is a highly variable amount, and will be based on the number of orientations (horizontal and/or vertical), quality of design, the number of pages, and the determined number of “overlays” (interactive elements, links, video, etc.). You will need to have the designer or agency generate this estimate based on your needs.
The Adobe DPS tools used to make the magazine iPad App are available at different price levels based on their capabilities. You may determine to purchase a specific DPS License for your own company to create and manage your own distribution and downloads; otherwise you can obtain access — generally at a marked up price — from an Agency or Printer that owns a license and offers and manages your services and distribution/downloads.
The folios (issues) of your publication reside on the Adobe servers and have a per-download cost. The DPS license includes a specific packaged number of downloads that has a time-based expiration for use, detailed in your license agreement. Once you approach or exceed your download limit of Folios (issues/publications), you will have to purchase more downloads.
If doing a one-off publication, the issue can be self-contained within the App. This is called a single-folio App. The per-issue downloads do not apply, as the App files are not downloaded from the Adobe servers — rather, they are “baked into” the App itself.
For all situations, you will need to purchase a iOS Developers License from Apple for $99-$299, depending on how you will distribute the App and Folios. The iOS Developers License is required to allow you to upload/distribute/sell Apps on iTunes. You can decide what price (free is an option) you want to charge for your App and Folios. Apple will take a 30% cut of any sales you make. You will need to consider what people may be willing to pay, and how you will market the App to let people know it is available.
The creation of a magazine App for iPad is no small potatoes, and you should definitely have a strategy for why you’re producing the App, and a marketing plan for once you commit to taking on this endeavor.
Posted on January 15, 2014, in Commentary, Design and tagged Adobe, Apple, Costs, Digital Publishing Suite, DPS, Enterprise, how much, iOS Developers, iPad App, iTunes, iTunes App Store, Magazine, Multi-folio, Single-Folio. Bookmark the permalink. 7 Comments.
Earnest Media blog 
How do you actually convert the adobe files to app form? My school yearbook is all on inDesign already, can we just upload that to apple?
In this case, you would use the Adobe DPS tools – which are essentially plug-ins for InDesign that allow you to add interactive elements. Then there is a whole process of creating the App, hosting, and distribution methods. Check out the links in the updated article.
Things have a changed a bit since this article was posted. While Adobe’s solution does remain as one of the best you do certainly pay for it. There are many companies who offer this service at more affordable prices. My company for example, Tablish Ltd, provides a similar service to Adobe but we target those with tighter budgets looking for entry level into the digital magazine app world. Instead of thousands a year our fees are more like hundreds.
As the demand for this type content distribution grows, and it is doing so exponentially, so will the number of those who provide these services. Adobe has been one of the forerunners in this area, but competition with other developers keeps it healthy and will help drive down the costs over time. Think about when flip-page magazine services appeared for top dollar. Now they are simple plug-ins for your website!
Hi,
I am a student at NYU and I am writing a paper on magazine costs. If you could please tell me where you collected these numbers, it would be a great help.
Thank you!
The post has been updated and links included.
very good article, really interesting!