# make a zine [Back in the 90s, zines were the rage in counter-culture self-publishing.](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=90s%20zine&tbs=imgo:1 "opens in new tab") You created your own magazine and ran off copies at the local Kinkos. It was a way to spread information before the internet. It was a way to get your voice out there. Underground bands and skaters made good use of them, as did conspiracy theorists and Riot Grrrl feminists. Even your old teacher was known for some of his zines (and homemade postcards). One of my favorite inspirational people is [Austin Kleon](https://austinkleon.com/ "opens in new tab"). He's been making [a lot of mini-zines](https://austinkleon.com/tag/zines/ "opens in new tab") lately. Try making one in his style. They are meant to be quick and loose and not at all precious. They are an opportunity to play with an idea or to express an opinion. They are a chance to be creative in a way that isn't too caught up in being perfect. Seems like a good thing to get you into the creative flow. I'm almost completely open to whatever you want to make for your zine. Create a mini-comic book. Write a poem. List what you did during the Covid lockdown. List what you wish you could have been doing during the lockdown. Illustrate your favorite foods. Give yourself permission to play. It could be funny or sad or silly or meaningful. Use it to complain about the plague or dream of a different world. It is your chance to say what you want. **Just make something interesting that has something to say about life and your perception of it.** I'm also open to styles and techniques. Collage bits and pieces. Draw in different ways. Use a typewriter for text (if you have access to one). Paint with watercolor or coffee. Use material and sew them. Use stickers in weird ways. You get the idea. **Just play!** --- ## HOW TO MAKE A ZINE All it takes to make this type of zine is a sheet of paper and a pair scissors. Actually, the scissors are not even a requirement. You can just rip the paper a bit instead. Austin Kleon has [a video](https://youtu.be/ab4O9SWNl9g "opens in tab") on how to make one. Here's [a low-budget instruction sheet](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c8JVA14MvvHzR8j-FgqQoQ9W6nWysEbg/view?usp=sharing "opens in tab"). I created a [zine](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1knx4lCa_ay3jN6coqOVeJxvo9woR7yKt/view?usp=sharing "opens in new tab") that shows you how to make a zine. Here's an [easier version](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YWLX_f88CtIZAheY4IQ_VzEZFQmqaIww/view?usp=sharing "opens in new tab") to read as a reference. If you would prefer to work digitally, here's [a Photoshop template](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r4bM4pvVmvLAZNbDV34c7hfBhe2BJWmH/view?usp=sharing "opens in tab") to use. The text layer is just to show you how the spreads work. You can turn that layer off. For those of you who don't have Photoshop, here's [a flat template with the spreads](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G2erVPdC3BIgfJ2gY6EtEypmd_YDlSej/view?usp=sharing "opens in tab") and [a flat template without the spreads](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WNtthAONm2EdMiJfqUV3EzZDQAZJqa8G/view?usp=sharing "opens in tab") to actually use. When done, print, fold, and cut. ## NOTES For inspiration, check out the [zines tag on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/zines/ "opens in tab"). The [Virtual Zine Library](https://www.sherwoodforestzinelibrary.org) has over 3,000 zines digitized and available for reading. Or maybe do an internet search for [art zines](https://www.google.com/search?q=art+zines&tbm=isch&tbs=imgo:1&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiBwOjf6JbrAhWwi60KHaGqCpAQrNwCKAB6BQgBEKUC&biw=1535&bih=775) or [collage zines](https://www.google.com/search?q=collage+zine+art&tbm=isch&hl=en&tbs=imgo:1&bih=775&biw=1535&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiXhPfy6JbrAhUEyawKHc2-CDIQrNwCKAJ6BQgBEL8C) or even [cartoon art zines](https://www.google.com/search?q=cartoon+art+zines&tbm=isch&hl=en&tbs=imgo:1&bih=775&biw=1535&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiXhPfy6JbrAhUEyawKHc2-CDIQrNwCKAB6BQgBELsC) for inspiration. No matter what, you will find that the focus is on ideas and not necessarily artistic quality. --- tags: #creativity #process home: [[! creative process]]