Why do major print magazines have publications dates several weeks into the future?

Answer 1

Generally, it's so that people will be able to have a certain issue of the magazine on hand at the time that it's dated and relevant.

For example, let's say the October issue of a magazine was published exactly on October 1st. Because magazines then have to be delivered through the mail to newstands and subscribers, it won't be available for several days after it's published -- let's say all subscribers would have their October issue around October 7th, and the newstands by the 5th or so. (It could get there fast, of course, if publishers paid a higher shipping rate. But those costs would be passed on to consumers, and nobody likes that.)

That means people who are paying to have the issue delivered to them every month are getting their information a week AFTER it's dated. They're paying for a month's worth of information, and a week of it is already irrelevant. (Of course, not ALL magazines revolve around time sensitive material -- but most do to some extent.)

And people who buy issues from the newstand not only are also getting outdated information, but shopper-psychology kicks in and hurts the magazine publisher: newstand shoppers won't want to buy the October issue on October 20th, because the information will be outdated soon.

So publisher work several weeks in the future to ensure that the information is relelvant and timely.

Answer 2

Some magazines only do a once every 2 months issue, so you would get the aug/oct. somewhere towards the end of july.
example:Girls Life

Answer 3

I always thought that fashion magazines published and distributed issues a month early so that you could see the newest fashions earlier and then go buy them. I'm not sure if that's what you were asking about, but hope I helped.

Answer 4

It takes time for magazines to be internationally distributed. This means people get it at various times and always earlier, but better than getting it late I guess.

Answer 5

i agree with marci, that was gonna be my answer too, so I can safely say,, yes marci is right, but also because they want it for the advertising stuff....and because that is what they always have done,because then you have to have the latest issue of that magazine, and can't wait for the next one to come out. That way it builds up the anticipation factor for the next issue.