What Is A Zine? #
A zine is a short, self-published booklet that can be printed or shared digitally. Zines often combine writing, art, and collage, and they’re a flexible format for personal storytelling, research, or activism.
Why Choose This Format? #
Zines are good for personal stories, activism, or niche topics. They’re accessible to make and distribute, and they let you experiment with tone and style in ways that traditional essays don’t.
What You Might Learn #
- Develop design and layout skills.
- Practice visual storytelling alongside writing.
- Learn how to condense ideas into concise, engaging formats.
- Explore personal expression while connecting to wider audiences.
General Process #
- Pick your theme or focus: A personal narrative, a niche interest, or social issue.
- Plan your content: Decide on text, illustrations, or mixed media.
- Design your pages: Use Canva, InDesign, or hand-drawn work scanned into a PDF.
- Assemble: Create a booklet layout, usually in multiples of 4 pages.
- Publish: Print small runs to share in person, or export a digital version for sharing online.
Accessibility Considerations #
- Use high-contrast colors.
- Pick readable fonts and sizes.
- Add alt text if sharing digitally.
See our Accessible Visual Design guide for more in-depth information.
Resources #
Get Support #
Book an appointment with a consultant at the DKC. We would love to help you with your zine project!
Guides #
Here are some guides that could help you on your journey:
- Getting started with graphic design guide
- Free media resources guide for free fonts, illustrations, and photos
- Getting Started with Choosing a Digital Project
Software #
There are lots of ways to create zines below are some tools that could get the job done:
- Canva – Lots of layout options and quick ways to build
- InDesign – A professional page layout application for print and digital publishing
- Electric Zine Maker – a quirky tool that mimics a 90s aesthetic of software and is fun for exploratory zine making
Spaces & Equipment Available #
- Microsoft Surface Studio computers to aide in digital drawing located in the DKC
- Drawing tablets for checkout in the DKC
Examples #
Student Examples #
- Death of Achilles by Grace Douglas
Updated by Shannon Hauser 09/18/25