how to make a zine

With a few of my favourite examples per slide…

First of all, you need to know the definition of ‘zine’. I mean, you can’t make one without knowing what it is, right? ~_~Zine (short for ‘fanzine’)

1. a small magazine that is written by people who are not professional writers and that usually has stories about a particular subject.2. magazine; especially : a non-commercial often homemade or online publication usually devoted to specialized and often unconventional subject matter <a feminist zine>(Definition from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zine)

Zines can be a pip confusing, trust me, I didn’t know what it’s aim was supposed to be. I also got it mixed up with ‘fanzines’ because

how can you talk about serious topics when it has ‘fans’ in it?And so, here is my definition to know the difference between the

two:

Def. Fanzine1. A zine

about a particular person or thing you admire or are interested in. For example, Pokémon or Demi Lovato.

Def. Zine1. A

homemade magazine which deals or talks about controversial or serious subjects. It may also be for personal purposes.

You got it? Ok, let’s start with the basic essentials.What you needOPaper (in my presentation I’ll be

using A4 size but you can use whatever size you prefer)

OScissors/x-acto knifeOPhotocopier/printerOTemplateOStapler/tapeOComputer software (e.g. Microsoft

Word)/colouring equipment/pencils and pens

Now let’s start planning your zine because it will be a good idea to find out how many pages you’ll need and other important information.Planning: step 1)

What will your zine be about? Here are a few ideas:OA favourite TV showOAn inspirational figureOAn event which happened recently and

you feel you need to do something about it, whether it be a campaign or giving advice.

Planning: step 2)How many pages are you

going to need? And what are you going to put on it? Well, you can use a template and some maths to figure the answers. Use this template below and make a list on what you’re going to put per page number.

I have three easy ways on how to craft your zine. The first method will fit that template I showed you. Method 1Craft: step 1)Prepare your however many pieces of paper you’d like to make your zine. In my circumstances, I’ll use three. Because, you’ve already planned out what each page will contain, you can start painting, sticking or writing on each pages. It will probably be easier on the computer but by hand is good too.

Craft: step 2)If you’ve done your zine by hand and used glue or paint, wait for it to dry. However, if you did it by the computer, print out your pages. Craft: step 3)If you have your own photocopier, great! But if not, go to a local one. Now, you can start photocopying (decide: black and white or colour?) each of your pages, the front and back. The amount depends on how many copies of your zine you’re planning to give away. Also, if you did your zine on the computer, you can print out lots of copies instead of photocopying.

Craft: step 4)After you have sorted out all your photocopied pages into one zine (you can keep your original zine as your own) you can begin stapling each zine together.

Method 2 (note: this is not my original method and if you find you want some pictures to help, visit:http://www.rookiemag.com/2012/05/how-to-make-a-zine/)Prepare: step 2-continued from step 1)This method only has eight pages and you can’t add any or reduce the number (unless you experiment and find a way). Here’s the template:

Craft: step 1)Get a piece of paper. Lay it out landscape and fold it in half so the two longer edges line up.Craft: step 2)Fold it again the other way so the two shorter edges line up.Craft: step 3)Fold it again the same direction in step 2 so you make an A6 size piece of paper.

Craft: step 4)Unfold the paper and, using the template, make sure everything is how it’s supposed to be. Marking the pages will make things easier.Craft: step 5)Cut a horizontal slit in the paper, above the front cover and page 1 with an x-acto knife or scissors if you prefer. It shouldn’t reach the back cover or page 2.Craft: step 6)Fold the paper forward on the same horizontal line, bringing the two long sides of the paper together.

Craft: step 7)Grab the two sides of the paper and push them together so the slit you cut will separate. This will form a cross shape.Craft: step 8)If you marked your pages, well done! Grab the pages marked: front cover, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 together. Bring the pages: back cover and 6 over page 5 to finish your zine.Craft: step 9)Now you can photocopy or print if you like, to distribute your zine to friends…

Method 3Prepare: step 2-continued from step 1)Yet again, another template…

Craft: step 1)Get your A4 piece of paper and fold in half so the two longer edges line up. Now cut on the folded line.Craft: step 2)Tape the two shorter edges of both cut pieces of paper together with clear sellotape (maybe masking tape will be better if you plan on drawing on the part with tape).

Craft: step 3)This zine will have eight pages but if you plan on using the back as well, sixteen pages. Mark out, lightly with pencil, seven lines with equal spaces (around 7.5 cm per box). The spaces in between will be your pages.Craft: step 4)Fold in a fan pattern on the lines, folding one forward then back, then forward and repeat until you’ve run out of lines to fold. This will make your zine open up in a zigzag pattern.

Craft: step 5)Now you can do whatever you like per page. Draw, write, paint.Craft: step 6) Finally, photocopy or print if you plan on sharing this zine with others!

The finish line…

Advertise: step 1)Advertise, mail, share your zine to friends, family and to go one step further, the public. You can share your zine through the media and the internet, forums or special zine websites.Your zine might even become so popular, you’ll be famous!!

Advertise: step 2)You might want to kick things up a bit and use more advanced technology and software. You could sell them in popular shops. Make them in 3D!! Experiment and try new things.

That’s what I like about zines, there are never two zines that are the same, unless you photocopied them but you know what I mean (do you?)!

Some of my fave zine websites:http://www.zineuk.co.uk/http://wemakezines.ning.com/http://www.collective-zine.co.uk/https://zines.barnard.edu/zine-sites

- a website where you can find helpful zine sites of all typesOf course there are other zine websites and I didn’t include those that handle with news. Furthermore, explore these websites, some have top notch forums! ;)