Now anyone can publish a magazine. MagCloud – a new print-on-demand web mag application developed by HP Labs and HP Corporate Ventures – is throwing away the traditional mag distribution model. Consumers can publish magazines at the price of $0.20 per page (plus shipping) by simply uploading a high-resolution PDF of the magazine to MagCloud’s website, while the app takes care of printing, mailing and subscription management.
MagCloud’s use of HP Indigo digital press technology offers full-colour prints on 80-lb paper, making it possible to custom-print each order while eliminating pre-publishing expenses. And MagCloud produces no waste, as every personalized magazine is printed to order.
Publishers can make orders using a PayPal account or a major credit card. During the pilot period, orders can only be sent to US shipping addresses and publishers must have a MagCloud account.
As a pilot program within HP with plans to expand its services, MagCloud was nominated for Web Application of the Year in the UK’s .net magazine awards.
