Yachting Monthly new shiny cover.

[AndrewB]

YM appears to have switched to shiny covers in the last two issues.

Why? Do forumites prefer this, or the matt style they were using?


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[Nick_Pam]

I commented on that to my beloved.....
Shiny paper magazines are less easy to read under spot-type lighting...esp in bathroom!
Much preferred the old "golf ball" cover personally!!
Nick

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[Koeketiene]

Much preferred the old style cover - why did they change it?

Baldric: I have a cunning plan, M'lud

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

 

[halcyon]

You can locate it by touch as well, prefere old one.

Brian

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[Evadne]

I subscribe to PBO and YM and you could always tell which one you'd picked up by the texture. No longer. I preferred the old texture, but in the grand scheme of things I expect it doesn't matter at all, since the insides were all shiney and it is necessary to switch the light on to read it anyway.

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[Cobra]

The old style without doubt!

Seem to recall that they changed it once before...or was it one of the other mags??

<hr width=100% size=1>When God invented time he didn't give me enough of it. ND!

 

[bob_tyler]

From memory, it appeared once without the texture and this was quickly corrected in the next issue. Some problem at the cover printers, I believe.

The textured finish somehow gave a feeling of quality which other magazines lack. A great pity to change it after all these years.

Bob

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[Twister_Ken]

Matt - nm

`

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Metabarca]

They might have changed it because a glossy coated paper allows for higher definition during printing than a textured one so the pics look (a bit) better.

<hr width=100% size=1>Adriatic links here: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.comoy.com/saillinks.html>http://www.comoy.com/saillinks.html</A>

 

[AndrewB]

First ask for consumer opinion, then ignore it.

Cobra is right, about five years ago YM switched to a shiny cover. One of their staff asked for views about it from us on this forum. As I recall, of something like 25 who answered, two-thirds preferred matt and one-third weren't bothered either way. No-one preferred shiny. I believe they got a similar reaction from other feedbacks.

I was seriously impressed when they went back to matt, it looked like they were actually responding to our opinions. But now they have sneaked back to shiny again, and by and large we still don't like it. While I don't myself feel particularly strongly about it, it would be nice if Kim or someone could tell us why they've switched against reader preference.

 

[boatless]

Re: First ask for consumer opinion, then ignore it.

Agreed. Current issue looks more like PBO.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[peterb]

Re: First ask for consumer opinion, then ignore it.

"My opinion is complete rubbish, probably"

Clearly, that's what YM think. I raised this topic last month, but only got a minuscule response. Maybe the stronger response this month might get some action.

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[AndrewB]

Apologies ...

... I did a search, but missed your earlier thread.

 

[Vara]

Matt

<hr width=100% size=1>If it can't be fixed with a lump hammer dont fit it!

 

[Aardee]

Matt


<hr width=100% size=1>"I am a bear of very little brain and long words bother me" - A A Milne.

 

[jamesjermain]

Thanks for your comments

Dear all,

Thanks for your comments.

It is always sad when a long-standing tradition disappears into history. But traditions that have passed their sell-by dates just become old fashioned.

It may be signifant that, despite the change taking place with the April issue, it was not until the June issue had been on sale for a while, that any reaction appeared on this site.

Paul Gelder has received a few letters on the subject, all in favour of the change except one from a former member of staff.

The reason for the change is simple. The glossy coating is brighter and creates a sharper image. This makes the magazine look more attractive and stand out better on the bookstalls. The old 'sandgrain' cover took ink badly and could smudge, muddying whites and dulling colours. Our cover photographers are also happier.

After years of discussion and an earlier experiment, it was finally decided that it was foolish to pay more for a less good cover, just because that was the way we had always done it.

Readers who have been with us for a number of years, will no doubt have a moment's sadness over the passing of an era, but I hope everyone will be able to agree, in a year's time, that it was the right move.

You might like to know that I, as a former editor, had been a passionate supporter of the old cover until recently. I thoroughly support Paul's rather brave move.

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[Cobra]

Comments noted JJ

Sorry, still think that the glossy finish MAKES YM look like any other magazine on a bookstall. The fact that it WAS different made it stand out (IMHO). Having subscribed to YM for many years now, I cannot recall ever seeing a cover that I thought had been smudged! True, the whites will always be less than brilliant white on a textured paper, but is that REALLY a problem to anyone but an art critic?
I guess that these are more excuses than real reasons!

Sad to see the textured cover go, but, after all what is the opinion of the existing readers? We will still keep shelling out for our favourite magazine...it is the NEW readers you want to attract isn't it?

<hr width=100% size=1>When God invented time he didn't give me enough of it. ND!

 

[EdEssery]

Re: Thanks for your comments

JJ>>It may be signifant that, despite the change taking place with the April issue, it was not until the June issue had been on sale for a while, that any reaction appeared on this site. <<JJ

FX: Leafs backwards through large pile of sailing magazines

JJ is WRONG

The April and May editions of YM have matt/dimpled covers - at least mine do! Are they unique and therefore potentially valuable in years to come?!

You've only had comments since the June issue came out because you've only just changed the paper in the June issue. Sailing is a traditional sport - bring back the traditional covers!

Ed


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[boatless]

Re: Thanks for your comments

Oh good, thought it was just me.

Still say that July YM looks like PBO.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[Cobra]

Thanks Ed!

I made no comment yesterday, as I was not 100% certain, checked last night, and sorry to inform you that your copies are NOT unique...maybe IPC just issued a few as Limited Edition prints? Will have to check to see what number out of 10,000 I have got!

<hr width=100% size=1>When God invented time he didn't give me enough of it. ND!