Pick your favorite TSG magazine cover and tell us why it’s your favorite
In the ’90s, print distributors and retailers began inserting mens magazines into sealed, plastic polybags. They’re opaque and only transparent at the top where the title is printed and at the bottom for the bar code. This was started for a number of reasons.
They keep those rude and naughty covers discreetly concealed from irritating juvenile delinquents and old ladies with blue hair and the noses to match.
The bag also keeps the magazine clean. It can contain the DVD bonus without the printer having to bind the disc to the magazine. They also guarantee privacy for subscribers so that a mailman can’t read a magazine first before the reader does.
Those bags can also keep an adult mag rack section from becoming a public library. I’ve heard many an exasperated clerk tell a lingering browser to either buy a mag or put it back on the shelf. I’ve heard it myself a few times when I selfishly went overtime checking out the latest magazines. However, many adult stores crack open one copy of a title so the customers can check out the contents.
Some store employees don’t like polybagged magazines, whether they’re adult or not. Bagged magazines can be hard to scan. They’re difficult to stack on the racks. They’re more labor-intensive to return because the cover must be torn off before any unsold copies are returned to the distributors for credit.
Although the bags are an established fact of print magazine publishing now, TSG still believes that a cover should be created with the highest quality in mind, even though many readers will never see it until they get home. So we spend the time to do that, down to the colors, the cover girl and the cover shot.
I’ve posted 12 TSG magazine covers from the last four years.
What I want to know is, what is your favorite cover and why?
What attracted you to that cover the most? Was it the main girl? The smaller photos? A headline?
What makes a great cover?
What makes a weak cover?
Write your comments below or email scorecard@scoregroup.com.
I think that covers it!
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- October ’10 Voluptuous
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- March ’11 SCORE
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- April ’09 Voluptuous
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- July ’08 SCORE
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- February ’10 Voluptuous
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- December ’11 SCORE
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- November ’08 SCORE
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- January ’11 SCORE
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- January ’09 Voluptuous
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- Holiday ’08 Voluptuous
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- January ’09 SCORE
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- July ’09 SCORE
Tags: adult book stores, adult shops, adult stores, big boobs, big tit models, busty models, covergirls, covers, covershots, DVDs, magazines, polybags, print magazine, print production, printers, retail store, SCORE magazine, SCORELAND
Categories: Behind the Scenes, Magazines, Point/Counterpoint, The Life of an Editor
The July ’08 cover was my favorite . . . the cover photo is great erotic artwork, accentuating the body while still utilizing Karina Hart’s come-hither look to draw you in . . . and isn’t that what a magazine cover is supposed to do, entice the buyer? The secondary art is also strong, not too small, but not getting in the way of the main art.
And that’s what makes a strong cover: a dominant piece of art that grabs the eye of that guy that’s looking at a dozen or so adult magazines on one rack.
What makes for a poor cover is the opposite; whenever there’s a big feature spotlighting a large group of top models, you tend to fill the cover with too many pictures of too many models. In the end, none stands out, and you don’t even really “see” any of them.
That’s all just basic graphic design.
Of course, different people are going to react different ways. The veteran Score reader, who already knows he wants to buy the magazine, might think “the more the merrier.” But he’s already going to plunk down his money . . . a good cover is the one that snares the guy who didn’t know he was going to end up taking home a copy of Score or Voluptuous that day, until his eyes have locked on a model that makes him feel weak in the knees 🙂
February, ’10 Voluptuous. Renee Ross. Enough said.
T.M. New Mexico
hits the nail on the head on what makes a bad cover + when the cover girls photo shoot is differn’t to whats on the cover! some times it works in your favour sometimes it doesn’t!! like Lorna Morgan debut back in 99, on the cover she was wearing a HOT bright red lacey bra under a black fishnet shirt BUT the pictorial she was in a dark green semi boring bra n’ panties!
Hallo,
every Cover with my favorit girl Minka sure gets my attention. So the best would be Score March 2009 or the french XXXHardScore with Minka in a bathtub. There is not too much on the Cover and it`s almost like she pops out of the cover.
From the one presented here I would say December 11. A full body shot of a slim girl in a bikini – won`t get much better than this (Unless you start using more dessous).
one cover of Voluptuous that I remeber for some reason
was the issue when the Lenka the French Gyspy girl was on it.
My gf stoled my car when i was at work
and drove it 2000 miles to California.
I think this was before I got on the internet.
anyway when that issue came in the mail it cheered me
up when I saw Lenka on the cover.
she was so gorgeous and cute.
I think the best DVD cover ever is Tits On Top!!!
Like other posts, I find this way hard too! I wish I knew more covers. Of the above choices, I have to go with January 2011. I love all the models A LOT. Their arrangement on the page and their wardrobe knock me senseless. They are all gorgeous and in prime tease mode. I like to see the goods restrained as it pushes my adrenalin…seeing as it’s TSG, I know I am going to get the full deal so no need to rush. I like the use of a black border and green for the name and I like its arc too. It is a clean presentation where the models dominate the message and there is really no other point than to insinuate that the viewer must buy, open, read and enjoy! A big caveat…I could rave about all the cover choices as they all have so much character and beauty. They ALL present stunning models of unparalleled beauty and these images are PRO…meaning they are fantastic poses, best of the best, with amazing and sultry sensuality and sex appeal. I love the suggestive nature found in the use of images and it aint hard for these unbelieveably gorgeous women to be giving off the vibe that sends my cock through the roof. Sorry yall, I am, and always will be, a die hard fan. With TSG, my faves being Score, Volutuous and XL, there are no mediocre covers and as is said in the islands, No Bad Days. Much love to the editors, great post.
Hi, my favourite is Ruksana, it really shows her curviness. A new invention would be a even a more provocative cover, just a big set of boobs all over the place, in a 3D attempt. The big bust is just coming out to you from the newstand! When you pick it from the shelves and go to the newslady for payment. Then it will be totally obvious. You are a sponsor of big tit. The bigger the better!
My favorite cover of SCORE in order:
Holiday 2006, September 2003, Jan. 2012, and November 2000
What attracted you to that cover the most?
It’s SCORE!!! That is more than enough to catch my attention.
Was it the main girl?
Yep. And it was also some of the headlines (“Bottom Cleavage”, “J-Cup Hitomi”, “All Naturals”- which by the way is my favorite feature from SCORE! Sometimes the smaller photos help, but mostly it’s cause it’s SCORE.
What makes a great cover?
Dedication to what you started. Since the first issue SCORE has been pushing the envelope and Cup size standards of Big Bust Models. I think I love you.
What makes a weak cover?
Not presenting the model who is on the cover. SCORE has never done this, but Dammit- I got so pissed when I use to buy other off-the-rack mags looking forward to seeing that specific model, and they were no-where to be found. So upsetting.
Thanks, gentlemen. All of your comments are very insightful!
I would have to say I’m an old school kinda guy. I prefer the early Score/Voluptuous covers from the mid/late 1990’s. Miss those fantastic ass shots with the girls turning slightly sideways to show their pendulous breasts, but I also like the full body frontal when the girls wear fantastic lingerie. From Voluptuous: Cat Tailer, July 95; Alice, Aug 95; and Carrie, Sept 1995. Also, March 1996, Effie. August 1997 Katie on the cover. Renee Ross on Oct ’09, magnificient. Deja June 05. You’re really making my head spin, as there really is no end to it. So, to summarize, full body frontal shots with revealing lingerie, ass shots with breast on the side, and easy on the amount of girls you place on the cover, I think a single girl is just fine, after all SHE IS THE COVER GIRL, and the cover should be hers 🙂
I’ll go with November ’08 SCORE for the red background (don’t know why, I like it) + Rukhsana’s pose. Boobs and ass is the greatest combo.
I’d have to go with the Dec ’11 (Venera) or the October ’10 (Natalie), just cause the pics of them are full body and we’re getting a good shot of the boobies. That being said, all of them are good in their own way, you can’t really miss when you have hot half naked women on the front. The best way to make a mag cover memorable is to make it stand out in a special way. Good example, the first Morgan Leigh cover. Who doesn’t remember that one? The only thing that I’ve found weak is when the titles are completely blocked out (April ’09 with Ashley Ellison.) Yes I know a SCORE man will know right off what that mag is, but when it’s on the rack, your not just selling to them. Of course, “V-Mag” would fit so nicely in the corner…. 😛
THIS IS A MASSIVE CHALLENGE!!!
My Bootylicious cover of choice is october 2008 Eva Gomez!
My XLgirls cover of choice is Sarah Mercury sometime 2000-2001
My Score cover is LDM late 2000 after her AMAZING growth spurt!
Voluptous has way to many favourites But Lorna Morgan debut 99 cover was amazing,till Nicole Peters 04 cover came along,but the August 07 Tera Cox Cover was My new fav till Renee Ross’s June 2011 cover came out THATS MY ALL TIME FAV…..for now!
Hi,
The best cover of set to choose from is the Feb ’10 V-mag.
I like it because it is a close up cleavage shot of the model. In Renee Ross’ case, she has a big cleavage and I want to see a big image of it. But, I like variety and want to see full body shots of a model as well. Venera and Merilyn Sakova are beautiful head to toe.
What makes a good cover design is if it is simple and clear of clutter. The cover I picked has a main focal point (in this case it’s Renee Ross). It is clear who is the featured model of the issue is.
The pose or shot of the model is equally important. If all of the covers used the same pose, then the gallery of covers would be boring to see. What makes a good pose is unique angles (e.g. worm’s eye p.o.v.) and profiles to showcase the model’s attributes. The Nov ’08 Score cover is a good example. I want to say one more thing about unique angles. Score used to shoot models from the ground up beneath a plexiglass platform or table. You could see the bottom of the model’s feet all the way up to her head. I think Dianne Poppos was in a photo spread like that.
Props, costumes/outfits, and the background scene also make for an interesting image. The Venera cover also stands out because of what she is wearing and how it hangs or fits on her figure. It is something the average person will never see in real life. I always like seeing shoulder straps from a dress, bikini, or bra that is stretched to the limit and is straining to contain the model’s figure.
What makes a bad cover is a multitude of small shots of many models — the collage cover. It’s complicated to take in and there is not one particular model to catch your eye.
The bottom line is keep it simple, have variety, and avoid the collage cover.
Hi Elliot
First of all I have to say that I love TSG and its publications. Although Score Magazine is my favorite.
It’s not easy to have a favorite cover but I have to say that I love covers because of the main model on it. I love all the models. I do like to see some models on one cover but at the same time I love seeing that one of them is the main model on the cover. So, according to this My Favorite Model is The Great Lorna Morgan. It’s not easy to say who comes in second, third, etc. But I’d say Karina Hart, SaRenna Lee, Christy Marksand and Arianna Sinn are my other faves. It’s tough when a model quits like Bea Flora, Julia Miles or Tera Cox.
I like when models smile. It’s impossible to have just one favorite cover but if I have to choose then my favorite covers is February 2006, WOW! Lorna Morgan looks amazingly beautiful. There are no words to describe her precisely. She is like Venus encarnated.
Now I have to tell you my other faves: January 2008 with Lorna Morgan again, The Annual Boob Cruise Issue from 1997 with SaRenna Lee as Captain Big Boobies, April 2010 with Karina Hart in red, Dec 2010 with Karina Hart as a schoolgirl and wearing lingerie on the same photo, two Karinas (mmmhhh), November 2007 with Christy Marks Teen Tit Wonder (it’s a shame that she wasn’t the main model as a bride), Febraury 2009 with Merilyn Sakova as a bride, November 2010 with Arianna Sinn in black wearing a fishnet dress (Oh My!) and February 2010 with Arianna Sinn smiling and showing lots of cleavage.
I love when models wear panties, bras or lingerie in red or black. I have to say that some issues have lots of models on the cover but there isn’t enough pics of each inside.
As you can see I love your work and I thank you for having those great and lovely models.
I hope it helps you 🙂
Best covers by far are the SCORE Holiday 2006
Morgan leigh cover and the Score July 2010 Shione Cooper cover.
-“What I want to know is, what is your favorite cover and why?”
I love those covers because they show the girl at what seems to be her most curvy and busty and most sensual pose, but at the same time they doesn’t show you everything.
-“What attracted you to that cover the most? Was it the main girl? The smaller photos? A headline?”
The main picture of the covergirl attracted me the most. I prefer there to be one main girl being shown in all her glory.The picture is really what attracts me, only after I see all the cover do I actually start to read any headlines.
Hi Elliot that is a good blog – as I have all the Score mags, many Voluptuous and most special issues, the covers tend to blur and only those that have my favourite models (Angelique, SaRenna & Minka) and the Boob Cruise issues are permanently engraved in my mind – however to your 12 issues selected – in my opinion the Ruhksana cover is the best – despite the fact that she is fully (!!!) clothed – as it shows off her amazing figure best and I much prefer a full body shot (Venera’s is good too) than a cleavage shot
some great covers here Elliot the Summer/Morgan was a classic and i remember seeing the Karina july08 cover like it was only yesterday and remember how excited i was to open it… to be honest i dont think score has ever done a bad cover but i particularly enjoy a bra shot cover but oddly enough my all time favourite cover is Karinas v-mag aug08 cover which didnt really play on her tits…. for anyone that cant recall it its the one where Karina has her back to us and is peeling down her white lace panties,, its a classic that i look at almost daily… her expression and the way shes easing her panties down is charged with sexual promise and screams BUY ME to anyone who sees it sitting there on the shelf…. the aug01 LDM score cover is another that has the same effect… whats your fave Elliot???
Voluptuous Jan´11 is my favorite because of the number and choice of models. Compared to Jan 09, 11 has the the preferable choice. At least to me.