Ask MagCloud: Digital Distribution

MagCloud allows you to upload a PDF once and make it available in both print and digital formats. The digital version of your publication will be available for viewing via our web viewer application, the MagCloud iPad app and as a downloadable PDF.

There are no upfront costs to digitally distribute your publications through MagCloud. Digital versions can be offered on the site for free, free with print purchase, or paid. As a publisher you get to set the selling price, and the proceeds are split: 70% Publisher, 30% MagCloud. Prices must be at least $1.00. A digital version will be made available to buyers for viewing in the MagCloud iPad application, in the MagCloud web viewer, and as a PDF download, which they can then use across all their personal devices (maximum of 5 downloads).

No, iPad, web and PDF versions of your MagCloud publication are bundled together making it easy for readers to enjoy your content on any of their devices, whether iPad, PC, Mac or mobile device, while simplifying the opt-in process for publishers.

We digitally mark each digital version to discourage unauthorized sharing, but there is no strong DRM.

After uploading your PDF and selecting your binding, you will have the option to Sell Online. This is where you will add any markup to your print version, and where you will be able to opt-in to digital distribution. You can also opt-in previously published publications at any time by selecting Edit Publication from the Publication Tools dropdown menu on your Publish page or from the toolbar on the publication page of any publication you own

You can opt-out of digital distribution at any time by clicking Edit Publication from the Publication Tools dropdown menu on your Publish page or from the toolbar on your publication page, however any copies that have been purchased or downloaded by readers are theirs to keep - just like physical copies.

Digital versions are optimized for screen reading. We reduce the resolution of photos to make the file smaller and the download time shorter, but they should still look very sharp on screen. The resolution of the text is not affected.

When you set a price for your digital version, users will have to purchase before they can download a PDF or view it on their iPad. When users click "Read Sample" before purchasing the digital version, they are only shown a preview in the web viewer before being prompted to purchase in order to read the publication in its entirety. For most digital publications the preview will only show the cover, the first two pages, and the back cover. If the publication is less than 8 pages, users will only be shown the front cover before being prompted to purchase. In the future we are also planning to allow the publisher to select which pages are used for this preview.