Make a Zine

In this activity, you will:

• plan and create your own 8-page zine
• reflect on the zine you made
• print and distribute copies of your zine (optional)

• Multipart Activity

• 11” x 17” paper (white or light-colored)
• Scissors
• Colored pencils, pens, or markers

What’s a “Zine”?

Zines, short for magazines, are a type of publication that can be created by anyone! They can be easily printed using inexpensive materials such as a photocopy machine or printer, and are often bound together with staples or by using simple paper-folding techniques. You can even make a digital zine. Unlike many types of printed magazines or newspapers, where the author usually has to convince an editor or publisher to print their article, you can make and produce zines all by yourself—and without any gatekeepers standing between you and the publication of your story!

Before the advent of social media, which made it easier for individuals to share their ideas and stories with the world, zines were used as a way for underground and activist groups to share their ideas without the high costs and gatekeeping associated with traditional printing. Zines can be made up of text only, pictures only, or some combination. Really, just about anything you can dream up can become a zine! Regardless of the style, zines share a common purpose: to tell a story and/or share ideas and information in an accessible and inexpensive way.

Choose A Topic

Find a topic for your zine. There are lots of options! Here are some ideas to get you started—or choose your own!

• Make a zine inspired by a newsletter called PESTS STRIP.
• Create a zine that brings visibility to an underrepresented group or organization.
• Address a social justice issue in your community such as discriminatory or exclusionary tactics such as those that Paul R. Williams addressed through his architectural designs.
• Make a zine to present data you collected about an issue in your school or community.

Plan Your Zine

Think about how you will visualize this issue in your zine. Using the method in this video, you will have 8 pages (including the front and back cover) to show text, labeled drawings, lists, percentages, comics, charts, symbols, or anything else. Remember, the goal of a zine is not to show off your incredible drawing or lettering skills (although if you have these skills, feel free to use them!). Instead, the goal of a zine is to share information and tell a clear story. If people can’t read your writing or don’t know why you added a particular illustration, the zine is not communicating effectively. If you’d like, you can sketch out your ideas on a piece of paper before you start.

Fold and Cut Your Zine Paper

Watch the video to follow along with each of these steps.

Step 1:

First, take your paper and fold it in half the long, skinny way. Line up the corners until they match, then hold the paper in place with one hand while you smooth the crease with your other hand.

Step 2:

Now fold the paper in half again the shorter way. Fold it in half one more time in this direction.

Step 3:

Unfold the paper. You should now have 8 folded sections.

Step 4:

Fold it in half again, the shorter way. Cut a line from the middle of the folded, creased side to the next section. Stop cutting as soon as you get to the next fold.

Step 5:

Open your paper up again. Now you will have 8 sections with a big cut in the middle.

Step 6:

Fold it in half the long way, hold it by either end, and push each end towards the center. You will see a diamond shape in the middle, and when you push past that, you will be able to match the crease and fold the paper into a small book.

Step 7:

Keep folding and smoothing the creases until you’re satisfied. It’s likely that all of your corners will not align perfectly, and that’s okay! Again, the purpose of this zine is to tell a story and share clear information, not to make perfect art.

Write and/or Draw Your Zine

There is no right or wrong way to write and draw your zine. Perhaps you would like to experiment with different fonts that send a clear message in a text-only zine. Maybe you’d like to draw comics or labeled illustrations. Maybe you’d like to demonstrate your point using charts, graphs, or lists. You might want to consider a “catch phrase” that grabs people’s attention. Maybe you want to include humor so that your zine is entertaining while also telling an important story. Perhaps you want to do all of the above!

Similarly, you can use any art materials that you’d like, including pencils, pens, markers, colored pencils, or a combination.

In the lower right-hand corner, number each page from 1 to 8. This will help you keep track and stay organized. You can write very lightly in pencil if you want to erase the numbers later.

The following is a suggested guideline of how to lay out your zine, but you’re welcome to use a different structure if you have ideas in mind!

Cover Page:

• Include a title and image.
• Make sure that something about your cover page grabs people’s attention, whether it’s a catchy title, a bold font, or an interesting illustration. Not only should the cover grab people’s attention, but it should also give them a good idea of what the zine will be about.
• You can put the creator’s name (yours) on the front cover, or the inside cover. Or, you can leave it anonymous if you prefer.

Introduction Page (Page 2 or 3):

• If you have a lot you want to say in this 8-page zine, you might want to dive into your story on page 2 (the inside front cover).
• You also have the option of starting it on page 3 and leaving page 2 blank, just like in many printed books.
• Either way, this will be your introduction page. Introduce the topic, and tell the reader what they’re going to learn. You can do this through text, images, or a combination.

Body Pages (Pages 4–7):

• Tell your story! Explain the issue to the reader, and share information.
• This is where you could include data such as numbers, statistics, and percentages (if you have any) that might help to make your point or tell your story.
• Include any facts that could support the information on the page before, or, explain why this issue is important and why it matters.
• Consider including quotes, if you have any from someone impacted by the issue.

Last Page (Page 8):

• End with a “call to action.” This is important! You don’t want to leave your reader feeling hopeless. Share ideas and suggestions for change.

Perhaps by creating visibility with your zine, change will happen! At the very least, people will become more aware of the issue.

Optional Activity—Add a Symbol to Your Zine

PESTS used the symbol of a wasp in order to “bug” the art world with their important messages about racial exclusion and marginalization. Is there a visual symbol that represents your issue or topic and which might help to grab the reader’s attention? Think of the symbol as a vehicle to think about something bigger, like a message or mission. You can draw the symbol on your zine. Or, if you want to repeat it a lot of times, you could make a print plate and stamp it on your zine. Explore more about symbols and/or watch a video to learn how to make a simple print.

Optional Activity—Make Copies and Distribute Your Zine

If you have access to a copy machine, you can unfold your zine until it is a flat piece of paper and make copies. Or, you can scan and print copies of your zine. Either way, you will have to follow the same instructions of folding and cutting for each copy, but you will not have to re-draw each page! Or, you can share your zine digitally after scanning it.

Optional Activity—Share Your Zine

Put your zine on a desk or table with the cover facing up. Do a gallery walk around the classroom and look at your classmates’ zines. Then, in small groups, take turns reading each others’ zines. Tell your peers what they did well! Perhaps certain images or text captured your attention, or maybe their message resonated with you. Be specific! Positive feedback is an important part of collaboration.

Reflect

Write or discuss your responses to the following questions about your own zine.

• How would you describe the main purpose, message, or story of your zine?

• What do you think were the most effective parts of your zine? Was there text or images that captured others’ attention?

• How did your zine challenge the barriers to visibility?

• Throughout the process of making your zine and sharing it with others, did you get any new ideas to revise your zine or to include in the next zine you make?

A person who takes action to improve communities and society or to challenge injustice and inequality through activities such as organizing, protesting, educating others, or advocating for change.

People or groups who control access to things, including information and opportunities, based on set norms.

The act or process of pushing a group of people to the outside of society, or treating them as unimportant or powerless.

Being seen, recognized, and valued by society instead of being ignored, overlooked, or excluded.