Zines

Zines are small booklets, often created by folding and cutting a sheet of paper. On a larger scale, they are often self-published, circulating through niche audiences. The content of a zine is truly up to the maker: it can be centered on any topic, and include any kind of text and images. 

A zine about zines made by a Pitt student

A Short History

Zines can be traced back to the 1930s, when the first one was published called The Comet. Early on, zines were mainly utilized in science fiction fan culture. Later, zines became a staple of counter-culture, depicting topics about punk and rock & roll, as well as feminism and queerness. Now, the zine continues to be an important part of movements within subcultures and allows those marginalized to express themselves in ways conventional media does not allow. 

Learn more about the history of zines here:


Creating a Zine

Use this guide to learn how to fold and cut zines from one sheet of paper! It includes written/picture instructions as well as a video.


Brainstorm what you want to put in your zine. 

If you are stuck and need some ideas, check out these prompts for inspiration: 


Remember it can be on anything you want! You can include your own drawings and writings, as well as adhering magazine cutouts, washi tape, fabric, or other craft materials to make it your own.


 

Resources 

'Why Zines Need to Be a Part of Your Curriculum' discusses the benefits of zine making as well as how to structure zine making in a classroom. 

'Teaching with Zines' provides resources, including zines, both about classroom instruction in general, as well as incorporating zines into the curriculum.