Behind the scenes of the Carlsbad Business Journal




Packed with valuable insights, success stories, and business trends, the Carlsbad Business Journal award-winning publication serves as a vital resource for the region’s economic growth, reflecting the heart and soul of Carlsbad’s thriving business community. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to bring the Business Journal to life every month? The journey of each issue begins long before it reaches your mailbox or your local business.

The editorial team includes a talented designer, a word-obsessed writer, helpful editors, diverse contributors, and advertisers, spending weeks curating content that will resonate with the Carlsbad community. From feature articles to the smaller, yet equally important, sidebars and columns, each piece is carefully crafted. The process begins months in advance with careful editorial planning. At the start of each year, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, which publishes the Carlsbad Business Journal (CBJ), maps out themes for each edition. From Health and Wellness to Cybersecurity and AI, these themes ensure content remains relevant to local businesses and the broader Carlsbad community. The team also gathers economic updates, legislative insights, and Chamber news to ensure readers stay informed about the latest developments affecting their industries.



Once the themes are set, the Chamber’s editorial team align content with each month’s focus. Input from the Chamber’s leadership, including the CEO, board president, and membership director, helps shape the narrative and ensure that each issue ref lects the needs of Carlsbad’s business ecosystem. Once the content is finalized, the next crucial step is the layout and design process. This is where our Creative Director, who has a keen eye for detail, steps in. “The goal is to create a visually appealing layout that guides the reader’s eye while maintaining a cohesive flow from page to page,” says Edgar Rodriguez, the creative force behind the design.

 The final printed product is not just a piece of information, it’s a representation of the Carlsbad business community, and we want it to reflect the quality and professionalism of the local economy. 

“We work to ensure that the design complements the content and reflects the tone of the publication. It’s about balancing visuals with information in a way that makes the journal not just informative, but enjoyable to read.”

After the layout is perfected, it’s time to send the digital files to the printer. This is where technology and precision meet. The printing process itself is an intricate operation, and the Carlsbad Business Journal partners with a trusted local printer that uses state-of-the-art equipment. Since we still preserve the newspaper feel, this format can only be done by an offset printing press. The process begins with the creation of plates for each page of the journal. These plates are then used to transfer ink onto large sheets of paper, page by page. The quality of the paper and ink is crucial, as it impacts the final product’s color, sharpness, and durability. Once the pages are printed, they are carefully folded, trimmed, and bound into the f inal product. The binding process is particularly important for ensuring that each copy of the journal is neat and professional.

After all, the final product is not just a piece of information, it’s a representation of the Carlsbad business community, and we want it to reflect the quality and professionalism of the local economy. The printed issues are then shipped out to members, community leaders, businesses, and distribution points, ensuring that the journal reaches its audience promptly. At every step of the way, the team behind the Carlsbad Business Journal is dedicated to maintaining high standards of excellence. It’s not just about the articles or the ads; it’s about creating a publication that tells the story of Carlsbad’s business landscape.

The printing process is a critical part of this story, bringing together content, design, and technology to create something that readers can hold in their hands and refer to again and again. So the next time you flip through an issue of the Carlsbad Business Journal, take a moment to appreciate the behind-the-scenes work that goes into each page. From the design to the printing, every detail is meticulously planned to bring you a publication you can count on.