This brings back memories of bringing my master layouts to Kinkos for copying! I haven't made a zine in 15 years, but I think you're right, the time is ripe for more.
Thank you for this amazing resource! I'm researching late 1880s newspapers made on toy presses and it cracks me up how they're both professional and also very zine-like in nature!
The Library Company of Philadelphia has a small (two magazine box) collection. Right now I’m trying to establish relationships between publications (they reviewed/critiqued/advertised each other!) and hoping to find some newspapers published by girls (rare, but they exist!). Not sure where that will lead me next.
I don’t like to hijack other writer’s comment threads but if you’re interested in 19th century toy presses and amateur newspapers, I talk about them incessantly after my trips to the library (few and far between lately, alas)!
if you think about it, isn’t substack kinda a digital zine? i’m trying to make my first zine based on my old essays and i’m having so much fun in the progress
I used to make little zines when I was younger and in high school but never really thought of them as “zines”. I recently knew what a zine was here on Substack and now this post—I loved recollecting a group of my favorite medias consumed and putting them all together in one print. This was nostalgic to read in some way. Thank you for writing 🌼🤍🤍
thank you so much for this!! i’ve been experiencing major creative blockage and this just gave me so much more confidence in just doing and creating <33
I'm laughing in a very gleeful manner at the idea of Victorian children printing their own publications. I did not know about that toy. Thank you for sharing.
Oh wow oh sheesh oh yeah… what an absolute joy. Ex-zine librarian here to extol on the joyful process of reading and making zines… this was such a treasure to read. Thanks for sharing!
OMGEE this is a huge article with so much detail. I’m sold, I wanna make a zine too! Thank you for the content. I watched your video on Substack and why it’s great and it lead me here. Thank you! I’m new to Substack and just finished my profile yesterday after watching your video. Thank you again. I think I’m tho is the right place for me and my work.
This is such a cool post, Rachel - you are an inspiration to us! What a great resource this post provides as we research and develop our own zine. We would love for you to contribute to our zine, the first issue is coming in January 2026. Details are on our page. xoxoxo
Looove this! I made my first zine last year and I loved it so much that I’ve based my Substack blog off it. I’ve just discovered that near my university, there’s a place called “Sticky Institute” that sells zines and also has a plethora of free recourses for making zines! Glue, printers- you name it, they have it for free! The workers are all volunteers too. I have yet to visit but am so excited to.
Rachel, while on a journey of my own self-discovery/midlife crisis, I stumbled into Zinestack-averse, and it’s changed my view of the world.
I made my first zine at nineteen. It was pretty bad, tough to make, and nobody read it. Still, I look on that process with nostalgia often.
35 years later, as an experienced (retired) magazine art director, the process of making zines is technically simple to me, but I have resisted it for a very long time because it was too close to the day work. However, Substack zinesters like you have inspired me to get back to the process, and I’m finalizing my first handmade zine since that one long ago.
As you stay with comics, magazines will also make you cry, and I would turn to art and other creative projects in order to restore my faith in the design process. Now I know that the magazine experience was essential so that I can use it to make what I want now and I’m excited for the future.
This brings back memories of bringing my master layouts to Kinkos for copying! I haven't made a zine in 15 years, but I think you're right, the time is ripe for more.
let’s go! (and by let’s go I mean, let’s make a zine)
Thank you for this amazing resource! I'm researching late 1880s newspapers made on toy presses and it cracks me up how they're both professional and also very zine-like in nature!
ahhh! that’s so cool. what archives are you using?
The Library Company of Philadelphia has a small (two magazine box) collection. Right now I’m trying to establish relationships between publications (they reviewed/critiqued/advertised each other!) and hoping to find some newspapers published by girls (rare, but they exist!). Not sure where that will lead me next.
That’s amazing!! I’d love to see any pics of newspapers girls made if you’re able to confirm! And I’d love to read your research
Wooo show don't tell!
I don’t like to hijack other writer’s comment threads but if you’re interested in 19th century toy presses and amateur newspapers, I talk about them incessantly after my trips to the library (few and far between lately, alas)!
haha please hijack away! my comments are open for people doing really cool research 💞
if you think about it, isn’t substack kinda a digital zine? i’m trying to make my first zine based on my old essays and i’m having so much fun in the progress
I love this idea yeng <3 I hope you made your zine!
I used to make little zines when I was younger and in high school but never really thought of them as “zines”. I recently knew what a zine was here on Substack and now this post—I loved recollecting a group of my favorite medias consumed and putting them all together in one print. This was nostalgic to read in some way. Thank you for writing 🌼🤍🤍
omg I love this so much 🥹💞✨ thank you for reading!!
thank you so much for this!! i’ve been experiencing major creative blockage and this just gave me so much more confidence in just doing and creating <33
yessss! make what you wanna make just because 🫂
I'm laughing in a very gleeful manner at the idea of Victorian children printing their own publications. I did not know about that toy. Thank you for sharing.
yes!! there were toy printing presses & honestly I’m kinda jealous?
These kids had their own frickin’ KDP in their living rooms. Only the terms were much better. I’m definitely jealous.
Oh wow oh sheesh oh yeah… what an absolute joy. Ex-zine librarian here to extol on the joyful process of reading and making zines… this was such a treasure to read. Thanks for sharing!
OMGEE this is a huge article with so much detail. I’m sold, I wanna make a zine too! Thank you for the content. I watched your video on Substack and why it’s great and it lead me here. Thank you! I’m new to Substack and just finished my profile yesterday after watching your video. Thank you again. I think I’m tho is the right place for me and my work.
This is such a cool post, Rachel - you are an inspiration to us! What a great resource this post provides as we research and develop our own zine. We would love for you to contribute to our zine, the first issue is coming in January 2026. Details are on our page. xoxoxo
I never thought about asking a local bookstore. Does it not have to have a barcode?
it varies but most spots that are familiar with zines don’t need them to have barcodes:)
I ♡ Amy Carter is the bible
these are facts 🙂↕️
Looove this! I made my first zine last year and I loved it so much that I’ve based my Substack blog off it. I’ve just discovered that near my university, there’s a place called “Sticky Institute” that sells zines and also has a plethora of free recourses for making zines! Glue, printers- you name it, they have it for free! The workers are all volunteers too. I have yet to visit but am so excited to.
a great read AND cibo matto wow
🎂🍰🎂
Definitely check out Evolution of a Race Riot. It’s kind of an anthology of zines made by WOC in the 90s, put together by Mimi Nguyen
yesss Mimi’s work is incredible! I need to get my own copy of Evolution of a Race Riot ✂️
Rachel, while on a journey of my own self-discovery/midlife crisis, I stumbled into Zinestack-averse, and it’s changed my view of the world.
I made my first zine at nineteen. It was pretty bad, tough to make, and nobody read it. Still, I look on that process with nostalgia often.
35 years later, as an experienced (retired) magazine art director, the process of making zines is technically simple to me, but I have resisted it for a very long time because it was too close to the day work. However, Substack zinesters like you have inspired me to get back to the process, and I’m finalizing my first handmade zine since that one long ago.
As you stay with comics, magazines will also make you cry, and I would turn to art and other creative projects in order to restore my faith in the design process. Now I know that the magazine experience was essential so that I can use it to make what I want now and I’m excited for the future.
Aw this makes me so happy! I’d love to see the zine that you just finished. are there any other zinestackers you’d recommend?
I just finished the design of mine today.
I’m new to the scene here, but @Jen Russell, @Duane Toops, @Denise Herman are a few names that come to mind.
https://substack.com/@daveconrey/note/c-106333407?r=owd70&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
this is a gift!! thank you so much
i’ve been looking to start publishing & as a lesbian/ feminist zines just feel right <3 i can’t wait to delve into all those ressources
Yessss! You belong here making zines 💞✂️