Dawn Stahura (She/Her/Hers)
For zine help:
I will have office hours in the Library Makerspace on:
Feel free to drop by or send me an email.
1. Because zines can be about anything, the first step is to decide what you want to write about. Ask yourself:
2. Once you know this, you can start collecting images and resources for your zine. There are two main ways to start making zines. This is entirely a personal preference. If you need inspiration, I'd suggest looking at zines for layout ideas or look through magazines to cut out images that speak to you. These images can help guide your content.
3. Next, decide on what format you want to use. This may be chosen for you in your zine assignment so start by reading the syllabus. Once you know your format you can look at the box below this one for templates. Unless you have made zines before or feel confident in your layout abilities, I would highly suggest using the template. This will make your life so much easier.
4. Create your content. You can cut out text from magazines, handwrite your content and/or type it out on Google Docs or Word. Whatever you prefer. If you do chose to handwrite, please make sure your handwriting is legible.
4. Once you have all your content and images, you can start laying out your zine using the templates.
A mini-zine is made out of a single 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. This size is perfect for handing out at shows, protests, and meetings.
How to make a mini-zine in English and Spanish.
A quarter-size zine is made by cutting an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper in half. You then use those halves, fold them, and make a zine.
A digest-size zine is the most popular format. You simply take an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper and fold it in half.
When putting together your zine, remember the photocopier will impose a 1/2 margin. Make sure that none of your content will be cut off in the 1/2 margin. Here is a template I created that will help with this. Simply print it out, cut out the templates and start creating! Create on one side of the template only and when finished, tape this page down to a blank sheet of paper.
Canva is a free graphic design platform, used to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents and other visual content.
The Electric Zine Maker (⚡️📝✂️) is a printshop and art tool for making zines.
This tool includes a drawing interface. You can import images, size and place, write text with any font that you have installed, smudge, paint, and a number of other options. You can also save your zines, and easily re-import them by dragging the saved zine folder back into the main menu. It is built with collaboration in mind.
Regardless of whether you use Word of Google Docs to type out your content, you will need to adjust the margins of your paper in order to print it out so it fits your zine pages. If you are making a digest-size zine (one full sheet of paper folded in half), set your top margin to this:
If you are making a mini-zine, set your top margin to this:
