Easy videos and tutorials to make your own zines

Firstly, what is a zine?

A zine (pronounced ‘zeen’, like the end of magazine) is a self-published mini magazine. Almost like a mini book, but they are made from one piece of paper folded up to make 8 pages. They are easy to make and fun to read and share!

Zines have been around for decades, originally created by sub cultures like sci-fi fans, musicians, and activists to spread ideas outside of mainstream publishing. They are all about self-expression, creativity, and community.

A zine can include:

• Drawings and doodles
• Poetry or short stories
• Collages of images and words
• Lists, comics, and handwritten notes
• Anything else that makes you happy!

And best of all? You don’t need fancy materials to make one – just a sheet of paper, scissors, and something to write or draw with.

Where do you start?

With an idea.  Ask yourself: What do you want to share? What are you passionate about? What do you want people to know more about? What makes you happy? What makes you sad or angry?

Highlight a social issue. Tell people about a cause that is close to you.  Maybe it’s about the importance of recycling, or educating people about racism, or anti-animal cruelty.  Maybe it’s about a library that may be closed down and you want to save it. Find your issue.

Make study notes: Think of it as a little study guide on a section of work.  You’ll remember making it and everytihng you write inside. Plus you can carry it around to go over in your breaks.

Tell us about your pet:  Make a zine that tells us all about your beloved dog or cat or pet snake!  Start with when you first met them and all the things they like to do and eat and play with. This will be the perfect memory book to keep. 

Holiday story: Going somewhere special for the holidays or just want to share a story of what you did over the Christmas December holidays?  Make a zine about it!

Have a medical condition? Do you want to teach your friends about what is means to be diabetic?  Or have ADHD? Or a severe allergy? Or be autistic?  Make a zine that shares everything from what the condition is to how it makes you feel and what treatment you need. 

Tell us about yourself: this is a fun way to make new friends.  Make a zine that tells people who you are, what you like to eat, to listen to, what sports teams you support, what books you read and what you want to do with your life one day.  There are no limits – have fun with it!

Gather your materials

You can go as simple or sophisticated as you want. As a beginner, start with these items:

paper

scissors

paper glue

pen, pencils, paints

Then you can get a bit more creative, with collages or stamps and stickers.  There is no limit to what materials you can use, as long as your Zine can open and close.

Now follow this great, easy to follow tutorial from The Big Draw.  They even have a free Zine download.

How do you share your zine?

Once you’ve made your Zine, you can consider making photostats of the Zine so you have a few copies.

Ask your school librarian if you can leave some in the school librabry for other students to check out.

Sell them on Etsy.

Share them on social media like Tik Tok.

Swap them with your friends.

Gift them. How about making a Zine about a special person in your life – then gift it to them as their birthday or anniversary card.

Show them at art exhibitions – talk to your art teacher about having a Zine Exhibition at school.

Make them for yourself.  Sometimes it’s just about the satisfaction of making them!

More resources:

We love the Tate Modern’s How to Make a Zine video.

Art is Basic has great ideas for different size Zines.

If you make a zine, share it with us! Send us pics to hello@thebooktree.co.za

Happy Zine making!