MAKE A ZINE!
PART 1 Lorenzo Andreani
Make a Zine! Part 1
WAES – Westminster Adult Education Service 1
MAKE A ZINE! PART 1 Lorenzo Andreani
Have you heard of the recent "Zine" craze? A zine is a small personal free-form booklet.
These days, the number of people producing zines is growing around the world - so much so
that shops specializing in zines are popping up all over!
Here is a simple introduction to the world of zines.
WAES – Westminster Adult Education Service 2
MAKE A ZINE! PART 1 Lorenzo Andreani
Zine Points
1. Any theme is OK
The content of the zine is entirely up to you. Anything you want to express through
your zine is on the table. Anything can be the basis for your zine: photocopies of your
diary or notebook, everyday photos you've accumulated, etc.
2. Create to your specifications
The size, shape, type of paper used, etc. are all up to you.
3. You decide the type of printing and binding
Print using your home printer and bind them yourself, or have a print shop do it for
you—there are no rules. Choose whatever works for you.
4. Distribution and sales are up to you
Though you can distribute and sell your zine yourself, some stationary shops and
book stores may let you put them out, and if you attend shop events you can build up
your readership. Experiences like being read by lots of people and getting feedback
from readers are part of the true charm of zines.
Types of Zines three rep res entative types
Type 1: Log (record) zine
This type of zine centres mainly around collecting together records of daily happenings,
travel, and dining, etc. These can be easily put together using such resources as your diary,
notebooks, or photos posted to social networking sites.
WAES – Westminster Adult Education Service 3
MAKE A ZINE! PART 1 Lorenzo Andreani
Type 2: Presentation zine
These zines are loaded with information mined from your knowledge of your favourite things
or a particular interest. Collecting together detailed information and expressing love of the
subject matter make this type of zine what it is.
WAES – Westminster Adult Education Service 4
MAKE A ZINE! PART 1 Lorenzo Andreani
Type 3: Collected works zine
This type of zine collects creative works such as illustrations, poetry, and photos. Turn all of
those drawings and paintings from the kids into a fancy collected work!
Production Flow
1. Think up a theme and structure
Determine what kind of content, how many pages, and what shape you will use for
your zine. It's helpful to write and sketch out your ideas while you're doing this.
2. Decide the specifications
Decide on the size, type of paper, and binding method for your zine. While you're at
it, plan the production cost too. It's a good idea to decide how many copies you are
going to make.
3. Gather your materials
Gather all of the text, illustrations, photos, and other materials that you will use to
make your zine. These will all have a big effect on the making of your zine.
4. Layout a draft
Next, layout the text and photos on the page. You can do this by hand or using
computer software.
5. Printing and binding
Print (or copy) your completed draft, and then assemble and bind it.
6. Distribution and sales
Once you've completed your zine, you can hand copies out to friends or try selling
them at places such as shops and events.
WAES – Westminster Adult Education Service 5
MAKE A ZINE! PART 1 Lorenzo Andreani
I also recommend using design paper for your covers and body text.
Binding Methods few si mple methods fo r binding a zi ne
A: Clip binding
B: Staple binding
C: Hole punch and string
WAES – Westminster Adult Education Service 6
MAKE A ZINE! PART 1 Lorenzo Andreani
D: Centre staple binding
Layer the pages with folds in the middle, then staple the folds in two places with a stapler.
E: Centre string binding (an alternative version of D using string instead of a stapler)
Coming up next.. .
I'll show you how to make a simple zine using items around the house in "Make a Zine! Part 2"
WAES – Westminster Adult Education Service 7
