Conventions of a magazine

Masthead:
The name of the magazine displayed in the typeface in which it is designed. This is the visual branding of the title and is usually done in a unique type face to be very recognizable.

Dateline:
Month and year of publication, often with the price. Note that a monthly magazine usually hits the news-stands the month before the cover date.

Main image:
When there is a single image on a magazine cover, it is used in a classic way. The face is big enough to make an impact on the news stand, the model making full eye-contact.

Cover lines:
Are usually distributed around the main image without detracting from it too much.

Main cover image: 
This is very large - taking up about a quarter of the cover area - and comes in three layers, each with a different colour.

Left third:
In western countries, the left third of the cover is vital for selling the issue in shops were the magazine is not shown full frontage. The title must be easily recognizable in the display of dozens of competitors. The start of the masthead is important here.

Barcode:
Standard barcode used by retailers.

Selling line:
Short, sharp description of the title's main marketing point ('The world's No 1 for young women') or perhaps setting out its editorial philosophy.