Zines have been around since the 1930s and 40s, but they are still a new concept to many people. Maybe you’ve come across the word on a printer website like Greenerprinter.com or perhaps you saw someone else’s zine and are curious about how they are made. Let’s explore what zines are and how you can create your own.

Short for “magazine”, “fanzine”, and “fan magazine”, zines (pronounced “zeens”) are a collection of original content that is bound and typically self-published. Zines can include any type of media, including narratives, poems, artwork, and photography. They are often made by cutting and gluing different things together to create a master copy. That copy is then scanned and printed for distribution. 

Zines started as a way for science fiction fans to share their interests and thoughts with each other, according to Issuu. They became very popular in the 1960s and 70s to promote punk music and other counterculture ideas. Since then, zines have been made to cover a wide range of topics. They can be made about any topic that you are interested in. Common zine topics include art, music, activism, photography, memoirs, and personal thoughts.

How are Zines Different Than Magazines?

Now that you know a little more about zines, you may be wondering how they are any different from typical magazines. Let’s take a look at four of the biggest differences.

• Publishing and Distribution: Magazines are typically published and distributed professionally. It’s often done on a large scale and reaches a large number of people. Zines are typically self-published and distributed. It is up to the author to get their zines out there.
• Number of Creators: Magazines have large editorial and production teams. It takes the work of many people to create a magazine. Zines often have only one author or an extremely small team. It is a much more personal process to create a zine.
• Size: Magazines can have hundreds of pages and cover dozens of topics. Zines often have much smaller page counts and cover fewer topics in each issue. Zines are commonly made to be physically smaller than other booklets. A common size for zines is 5.5 x 8.5 inches. The standard size for booklets like magazines, catalogs, and lookbooks is 8.5 x 11 inches.
• Schedule: Magazines normally have a strict publication schedule. You can expect a new issue of a magazine at regular, predetermined intervals. Zines can be created whenever the author feels like it. They can be a one-off publication or part of a series.

How Do You Create a Zine?

Creating zines is an exercise in self expression. They allow you to share your knowledge and interests, explain your perspectives, create niche content, and find a community. They can help you build a brand and identity. If you run a business, zines can help your business get more exposure in tight-knit communities.

The great thing about zines is that they are easy to make since there are no rules! Your zine can be made however you would like, but if you’re looking for suggestions on how to get started, here are our tips.

1. Choose a topic. Your topic should be something you are knowledgeable and passionate about. It can be anything that catches your interest.
2. Pick a format. There are dozens of ways that you can organize your zine. Picking one now will make it easier to plan your zine content around the format. Some popular options are saddle-stitched booklets, perfect bound booklets, accordion fold brochures, and newsletter folds.
3. Create the zine’s content. Here’s the fun part! You get to create the content for your zine. Zines are known for their flexibility and freedom when it comes to what you put inside them. Unlike journals, cookbooks, programs, and other types of books, it is completely up to you about what goes into your zine. Looking for inspiration? Try short stories, poems, paintings, doodles, photographs, collages, and song lyrics. Think about what colors and layouts you want to use in your zine’s design. Don’t forget to proofread everything before printing them.
4. Print your zines. Zines can be reproduced using photocopiers and home printers, but the best way to make high-quality zines is to use a commercial printer, like Greenerprinter. At Greenerprinter, you have full control over the final look and feel of your zine. You’ll also get to see a proof before production begins to make sure everything is correct.
5. Distribute the zines. It’s up to the authors of the zine to distribute it. Try asking friends and family to help spread the word. Showing off your zine online and sharing it through the mail can be a great idea as well. With variable data printing and direct mail, we can print and send your zines directly to the recipients. Zines can be sold, but most of the time the purpose of a zine is to inform and entertain rather than make a profit.

Ready to Print Your Own Zines?

Greenerprinter offers custom, eco-friendly zine printing services. Our zines are fully customizable, so they can be made to match any artist’s purpose. You get to pick the size, orientation, paper types, binding style, and additional finishing. We offer a variety of finishing processes to make your zines as unique as you, including foiling, embossing, and variable data printing. Whatever you need, just let us know! We’re excited to produce your zines for you.

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