The application, created by Kin Design, gives readers access to a portfolio of images supplied by James Joyce, Nigel Robinson, Anthony Burrill, Kam Tang and Hort, which they can select and manipulate. Readers can also select a range of designs for the Rolex advert on the back cover.

Wallpaper* expects around 24,000 personalised designs to be created. Once this stage is complete, the designs will be linked to the respective hi-res images and base cover artwork, and processed into the print stream, where they will be ripped for printing on London-based FE Burman's HP7000 digital press.

The covers will be bound with the rest of the magazine, which has an ABC 105,028, and printed at St Ives Plymouth.

The software will automatically create customised covers for subscribers that don't design their own, using the same set of graphical elements. Non-subscribers that create a customised cover using the system will be able to order their copy for £6.

Editor-in-chief Tony Chambers said: "Wallpaper* readers are a very creative bunch and they are going to love this. After all, they'll be joining the ranks of Philippe Starck, Zaha Hadid, Anish Kapoor and Karl Lagerfeld – all of whom are previous Wallpaper* cover artists."

Publishing director Gord Ray added: "Wallpaper* always strives to push boundaries and create themed issues that excite our readers and advertisers. This is going to be a very special issue."