frequently asked questions.
Getting started
Daisywheel is a brand new site that makes it easy for you to create magazines. We are still in the testing stages, so please bear with us as we work to make the site better and easier to use.
We have a very straightforward online tutorial to show you how to make a magazine.
Once you have chosen to create a magazine you will be asked to give it a name and a description – this will help you return to it at a later date. The magazine's name will also appear across the title headers on the template pages. You can then choose a url to share the magazine eg daisywheel.com/yourname/mymag. Once you have published your magazine, you can use this link to email a virtual magazine to your friends or add it to your Facebook page.
The next page will allow you to choose and upload images to your account. You can upload images up to 5mb in size, just browse and select them one at a time from your hard drive. You can add more images at any time using the 'manage pictures' button. You must own all images or have permission to use them, please see our terms and conditions for more details.
The next page is where the fun begins: Manage pages lets you to choose the pages for your magazine. The first page will be your cover, and will open the template when you have chosen the design you would like. You will be able to add more pages, one at a time after this and also reorder the pages later using the hand icon by each page. Don't worry about the colour of the templates, you can change this in the editor.
Please bear in mind – and this is very important if you are printing your magazine – you must make sure the total number of pages is a multiple of four eg 4,8,12,16 etc. Printers add pages this way, and will not be able to print it, if it is not divisible by four. The icons by the pages are to: Move page (hand), edit page (pencil) and delete page (bin).
Using the editor is straightforward, and just needs a couple of goes to get used to. You simply need to select the part of the page you wish to edit by clicking on it. This will highlight a box around that section, and light up the icons in the top toolbar which you can use for that area - for example, selecting the text box will make the Edit Story icons appear in white, but grey out the Add Image icon.
If you want to add text, select the text box by clicking on it. You can now either add an existing story by selecting Add Story, or write a new one by clicking Edit Story. If you want to use one you've already written but alter it, choose the story you want from the Add Story button, and then click Edit Story.
Once clicked, Edit Story will open the Story Editor. From here, you can type text straight in or paste from another source. If you are pasting text in, be sure to use the special clipboard icon in the editor to strip out any formatting (hover your mouse slowly over icons for hints). This will prevent any funny-looking text from appearing, which can happen when there is hidden formatting (for example, in a Word document).
Make sure you fill out the headline box - even if there isn't a headline on the page. Why? Because if you decide later on to put the story into a different template instead, it will make it much easier to find! There is also an author box, which can be left blank or filled out, it's up to you.
Once you have written or edited your story, make sure to click Save at the bottom of the Story Editor (you may need to scroll down a bit). This will take you back to the main page editor, where you can continue to edit your page. Here, you can change your font type and size using the drop-down menu and + and - buttons.
To add images to your page, select the image box and choose the Add Image button on the toolbar. This will open up your picture library, where you can insert a picture you have already uploaded to your Daisywheel account, or you can upload a new one directly into the library. Once again, to resize the image, simply use the + and - buttons on the toolbar. You can also click and drag on the image to make sure it's placed exactly how you want it.
The colours of the header boxes, top and bottom page bars, and fonts can be easily changed. Simply select the area you wish to change by clicking on it, and click on the paint can icon in the toolbar. This opens a colour palette for you to choose from - just click the colour you want!
It's as easy as that!
You can preview the magazine as you go along using the preview button, to get it looking exactly as you want. When you have finished, hit the publish button. This will give you the different optins on how to publish your magazine – just choose if you want to print it or have it as an online only magazine. (If you choose to print it, you get an online version included free). If you want to print your magazine, choose the amount of copies you want and the calculator will give you the cost, including delivery charges. If you are happy, click 'pay now' and you will be directed to our secure payment page.
If you have any problems just email hello@daisywheel.com and Bob's team will guide you through the process.
Who can use the site?
Anyone can use the site to create virtual magazines on any subject. However, those wishing to buy products must be over 18, or have the consent of the paying adult.
I want to use this service, but don't have the time to produce the magazine myself. Are there other options?
Take a look at our Be Spoken For service, where we create the magazine for you. You supply the pictures, and we get to work on producing a magazine suited to your needs. Our team is made up of highly experienced publishers and we will work with you every step of the way to produce the ideal mag for you.
How do I add pages to my magazine?
Each page is added one by one, so you just need to open the magazine you are working on and select Add Page. This will take you to the templates page, where you can select which template you would like to use for that page.
You can also add pages from within a page you are already editing. Near the left side of the toolbar is a page icon - when you click this, you will be prompted to save or exit the page you are currently editing. Then you will be taken back to the Add Page section.
How do I delete or reorder the pages?
You can reorder the pages by simply by visiting the View Magazine page, and selecting the Manage Pages option on the right hand menu. Then, you can just click and drag the hand icon underneath the page you'd like to swap. To delete pages, click the trash can icon underneath the page you want to delete.
How do I add a picture in the template?
Once in the template, click on the icon in the top toolbar which looks like a mountain. This will take you to the picture uploader, and you can just select the picture you want to include. You can also upload directly from the picture library by choosing Upload Picture. To resize, click the plus and minus buttons on the toolbar. You can also click and drag the picture within the picture space to move it around.
Can I use any pictures?
You must have authors' consent of any work you submit that is not yours, including images taken from the Internet. You must also have the necessary consent of the people in your photographs. Please view the terms and conditions for full details.
Can I upload and write any material?
You may upload material with the original author's prior consent, or write any original material yourself, but the company retains the right to remove and refuse print or publish any material deemed offensive, illegal, defamatory, obscene, or designed to incite hatred of any group or individual. Please view the terms and conditions for full details.
How many pages can I have?
You can have as many pages as you like in a virtual magazine. Printed magazines can either be 1 page, 2 pages (1 page double sided) or 4 pages, additional pages must then be added in multiples of 4 eg, 8, 12, 16, 20 and so on.
Who owns the copyright?
You own copyright of your original work, and must assign acknowledgement of the copyright of third parties where applicable.
Will you use my content on the site?
We may sometimes wish to use outstanding examples of magazines produced by site users for promotional purposes. In these cases, we will always contact the user for permission prior to using any of their content. We would only use original content or content where the original author is clearly acknowledged.
Can other people see my magazines?
Only you can see the magazines you have in production on the site, held in the Your Account section. When you have finished a magazine and would like to publish it, you will be provided with a link for you to send other people to view your virtual magazine. You can also embed this into a Facebook or Twittter page (see above).
What do you do with my personal details?
We never hold payment information, and use a secure payments service via PayPal, so never have the full details of your payment account. Other information, such as your email address and name, are held exclusively by us and will not be passed on to third parties. We require this information so that we can contact you if necessary regarding your magazines or similar. If you also place a print order, we will require postal address details for delivery.
Is it environmentally friendly?
We use environmentally friendly recyclable paper, and are also working to use printers local to you to reduce print miles.
Can I have any size mag?
We currently only offer A4 but are planning to launch different sizes very soon.
Can I choose the paper or finish?
We currently offer one magazine quality finish, printed on 130 gloss paper. We are working on adding different papers and finishes.
What if I find a mistake?
It is your responsibility to check the final preview carefully before hitting 'print'. If there is a mistake in the printing which was not in the final copy, contact us and we will fix it right away.
How do you print the magazines?
We offer a combination of high quality digital printing and traditional lithographic printing depending on the volume of the order.
Are sample magazines available to look at?
Sample magazines are available online as virtual publications on our Get Inspired page. If you are interested in our Be Spoken For service please contact us for examples of printed magazines.
How are copies delivered?
If you order fewer than 20 copies, we will deliver by first class post. Between 20 and 500 copies, we will send via a courier. Any more than 500 copies, we will contact you directly to arrange delivery options.
Is there a minimum order?
The minimum quantity is five. Apart from that you can order as few or as many copies as you like. In mutiples of five.
Will my photo work?
We recommend a minimum quality of 3 mpx (megapixels) but you can upload any picture you like (as a jpg) – just bear in mind that the lower the mpx, the more chance of it appearing grainy on the printed magazine.
I can't see the editor.
Daisy Planet is created in flash. For the latest version visit http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
How many magazines can I save at a time on my account?
There is no limit to the amount of magazines on your account.
Is it possible to use the Daisywheel tool in my site?
We do offer a 'white label' version of the editor, that can integrate it in your site. Contact ian@daisywheel.com for details.
How much does it cost?
The cost will depend on how many copies you want printed, what size and where you want them. Visit our payments page for details.
How do I pay?
You can pay via PayPal, credit or debit card. We cannot accept any other form of payment.
Can I pay in any currency?
Our automated system currently only accepts UK pounds sterling. Please contact hello@daisywheel.com for help with paying in other currencies.
I've found a mistake in my published magazine. Can I correct it?
If this magazine has been ordered to print and the product is an exact representation of the supplied virtual magazine, we cannot unfortunately make any corrections. Likewise, corrections cannot be made to a published PDF.