Often called an “indie mag” for short, independent magazines are typically run by a founder or small team who makes almost every editorial and design decision themselves. Compared to newsstand titles, indie magazines are smaller in scale but often bigger in ambition, giving readers something to sit with rather than skim through.

1. What makes a magazine "indie"?

An indie magazine is a small publication made outside of large, commercial publishing houses. They don't rely on corporate money and, instead, are usually made by small teams of creatives who write, design and market the magazine themselves.

Typically niche in topic, they feel closer to a book than a weekly magazine and focus on subjects like art, film and culture, rather than celebrity culture and trends. Most are print-first (or print-only), which is a deliberate choice. Indie makers tend to believe print does something digital can't.

2. Who makes them?

Indie magazines are usually made by small teams, even as small as one or two people. They work hard to write, design and market their magazine and often commission writers, photographers and illustrators to help bring an issue together. It's that attention to detail and care that you feel when you flick through an indie magazine.

Many indie founders came from the commercial magazine world and wanted to work at a slower pace, on their own terms - like our very own founders, David and Lisa. Others started their magazine as a passion project alongside another job.

3. How are they made?

Making an indie magazine takes months. It usually starts with an editor's idea for the issue's theme or focus. Contributors are then commissioned to write features or shoot photography. Once the words and images come in, the editor works with a designer to shape how each piece will look on the page. Every decision, from the choice of font to the type of paper, is considered carefully.

Once the issue is finalised, files go to a printer. Depending on the magazine, this might mean perfect binding, saddle stitching or a specialist method like risograph. Then the printed copies arrive, often shipped from the printer to the founder's home or studio, ready to be packed and sent to shops and subscribers. It might takeDelayed Gratificationthree months to put together an issue that focuses on news stories the wider world has already moved on from.

4. What are they about?

Indie magazines have much more creative freedom than commercial newsstand titles. This allows space for unusual topics and bold designs. From the history of food (Eaten) to football around the world (Glory), there's a topic to suit everyone. Broad categories include travel, culture, food, current affairs, design, nature, hobbies and personal essays.

5. How often are they published?

Indie magazines are printed on a smaller scale than a weekly or monthly title. Most are released quarterly, twice a year or annually. This means more time is spent on each issue, with stories and photography made to last longer.

It's part of what gives each magazine a collectable feeling. It also changes how you read them. You can spend longer with each issue, come back to a feature weeks later and often notice something new on a second read.

6. How much do they cost?

There's no set cost for an indie magazine. The stock on our shelves ranges anywhere from £5 to £40. Prices reflect the print run, the paper, the size of the team and whether the magazine is advertising-supported.

Some are pocket-sized, made to be carried out on your next walk. Others feel more like a book or catalogue, made to be displayed at home and returned to over the years. If indie prices feel higher than a newsstand title, that's because they reflect what goes into making them.

7. What's the difference between indie and a newsstand magazine?

The biggest differences come down to scale, pace and voice.

Newsstand magazines are printed in the hundreds of thousands or millions, while indie magazines are printed in the low thousands or fewer. You might be used to the regular weekly or monthly publishing schedule that newsstand titles follow, while indie titles tend to publish less often. 

Then there’s the matter of advertising. Newsstand magazines rely heavily on advertising for their income. Indie mags, on the other hand, tend to rely more on direct sales and subscriptions. This means they carry fewer ads, and the ads they do carry are carefully chosen to match the title. 

There are physical differences too. Newsstand magazines often use glossy coated paper for a slick, commercial look. Indie titles often use matte or uncoated paper, which feels warmer and reads more like a book.

And finally there's the voice. Newsstand titles are made by big editorial teams following house style. Indie titles are shaped by a small team, or often just the founder, so the voice feels a little more personal.

8. Where do I find them?

You can find indie magazines in specialised indie magazine shops, just like ours. Some general bookshops stock a small selection and libraries occasionally carry them too.

If there's one title you really love, you can usually subscribe directly through the publisher so you don't miss an issue. There are also indie magazine fairs like IndieCon in Hamburg, where you can meet makers and browse a huge range in one place. Online communities and podcasts (there are quite a few) are another warm way in.

Whatever you're into, there's an indie magazine for it. Have a browse of our shelves to find yours.