For magazine publishers, striking design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about storytelling. In an industry where visual content is critical, having the right tools to create engaging layouts, powerful imagery, and captivating covers can make all the difference. Yet, for many non-profit publishers, high-quality design software can be financially out of reach.

Enter Affinity, the game-changing design suite, which now provides free access to non-profits. This professional-grade software, comparable to Adobe Creative Suite, allows magazine teams to produce stunning visuals without breaking the bank.

Affinity’s free design suite for non-profits

Affinity includes a robust set of tools—Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher—that rival industry giants in performance and flexibility. Whether you’re designing magazine spreads, digital editions, or promotional materials, Affinity equips you with everything you need to craft top-tier publications.

The best part? Affinity offers this suite free to non-profit organizations, helping publishers overcome financial barriers while delivering high-impact visuals to their readers.

Why switch from Adobe to Affinity?

During our live workshop on design solutions for magazine publishers, trainer James Njoroge took a deep dive into the advantages of switching from Adobe to Affinity. James explained that for many publishers Affinity provides a comparable user experience but with substantial savings.

Watch the live workshop “From Adobe to Affinity: Benefits of transitioning to a new design software” here

One key takeaway: Affinity is subscription-free. Unlike Adobe’s ongoing subscription model, Affinity requires just a one-time payment for lifetime access. For non-profits, though, it’s entirely free—making it a more sustainable option for publishers managing tight budgets.

James also noted that Affinity’s tools mirror Adobe’s workflow, which means editors and designers familiar with Adobe can have a seamless transition. This ensures that teams won’t face productivity setbacks as they adjust to new software.

How Affinity helps magazine publishers thrive

1. No compromise on quality
   Affinity’s suite rivals industry standards, delivering powerful features across the board. For publishers, this means you can design magazine spreads, covers, and digital assets with the same high-level control and precision as Adobe.
2. Effortless transition from Adobe
   As discussed in our webinar, Affinity is built with Adobe users in mind. From shortcuts to tool layouts, the design experience feels familiar, allowing your editorial team to maintain productivity without needing to learn an entirely new system.
3. Flexible and collaborative tools
   Affinity is fully compatible with files created in other platforms, such as PDFs and PSDs, making collaboration between teams using different software easy and efficient.
4. Designed for both print and digital
   Affinity Publisher excels in crafting polished layouts for both print and digital editions of your magazine. Whether you’re working on a monthly print issue or an interactive digital version, Affinity offers the flexibility you need to deliver stunning publications to your readers.

How to get Affinity for your non-profit

Applying for Affinity’s free software is straightforward. Simply visit the Affinity website and fill out a brief application form to verify your non-profit status. Once approved, your team can start using the entire suite to create beautiful, professional designs—whether for your print publications or digital content.

A tool to expand your editorial reach

As non-profit publishers strive to grow their audiences, high-quality design can be a decisive factor in attracting and retaining readers. Affinity empowers magazine publishers to step up their game, producing visually appealing issues that captivate and engage—without sacrificing editorial budgets.

By embracing Affinity’s free suite, you gain access to the tools that professional publishers rely on, allowing your team to focus on what truly matters: telling compelling stories that resonate with your audience.

For magazine publishers, design is essential to storytelling. With Affinity’s free software, you no longer need to compromise on quality due to budget constraints. As highlighted in our recent webinar, transitioning from Adobe to Affinity is not only cost-effective but also highly beneficial for your workflow. By leveraging Affinity’s suite, you can take your publication’s design to the next level, making a lasting impact on readers in both print and digital spaces.

Photo by Lee Campbell on Unsplash