Hi Marcel, I use Adobe InDesign but I also use Adobe products for work so I am familiar with them and already purchase a subscription. I've heard good things about Affinity and I know a lot of people who use Canva, an online design subscription (both paid and free versions). The use of PPT is a great idea since many people use it for work as well.
I find Affinity Publisher easy and good. I felt a need to keep a trace of the images done during the photowalks i guide, something more lasting and more focussed than the endless scrolling of Insta — the ebook/zine format seems to do the work: you can download 'Three walks in the estuary of Tejo' at https://framadrive.org/s/G5MSFMBqrLCCN3K
Hi Marcel, I used free program Scribus to design this photo essay on Amsterdam Central Station. The printing is from 'Drukwerknodig', which is surprisingly good and cheap. I made the digital version (with audio) with Heyzine. Enjoy: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/e7ceb0dd2f.html
It looks fantastic, Marcel. I’m in the process of making a zine at the moment, with Mixam, as I’ve used them before with great results. Someone (I think it may have been Andrew Eberlin - apologies if it wasn’t you, Andrew) posted a link to Affinity Publisher, which really interests me. I’ll happily share my zine when it’s finished.
“ An inexpensively produced, self-published, underground publication.”
It usually is up to 48 pages, mostly stapled or digital as e-book. ‘Normal’ books are professionally produced and often bound.and contain more pages. What does not mean a zine cannot be produced professionally.
Thank you! It seemed like that was how zines are, but it was never really clear. And people talk about using publishers, so I just wanted a little clarity.
It’s looking good Marcel. I’ve recently printed a zine of place writing with images called ‘A New Topography’ which is available through my website priced £10 plus P&P and has had some lovely reviews. I used Affinity Publisher which is excellent. It was printed by You Love Print (UK) and I was very happy with the quality and colour reproduction. I understand that Mixam are a print broker rather than a printer; they were also recommended to me but use a number of different print companies.
Thanks Marcel 😊 I really wanted to offer something affordable, hence the zine - I love making handmade books but this pushes price up. (Though I still spent an age fiddling around with the artwork for ANT - hopefully next time I’ll be quicker!)
Well it depends. For this art fair, last year I welcomed over 600 visitors, so I guess I’ll print 100 copies. Can sell what is left via the website as well. Should be a few dollars/euros so people will not have to think about it and take something home with them. Who knows what will follow after that…
Thanks for the mixam print tip. They look like good value and very flexible. I used Newspaper Club for the one zine I’ve done so far but this looks like it could be a better option. And they do print on demand.
My zines can be found here: Darkroooms Magazine 1 to 4 https://marcelborgstijn.substack.com/p/darkroomsmagazine (free) or https://darkrooms.gumroad.com/ ($2)
Hi Marcel, I use Adobe InDesign but I also use Adobe products for work so I am familiar with them and already purchase a subscription. I've heard good things about Affinity and I know a lot of people who use Canva, an online design subscription (both paid and free versions). The use of PPT is a great idea since many people use it for work as well.
I'm not a photographer, but I have a food + art zine if you want to check it out! https://www.makeist.art/chili-potato
Wow Jen, that zine is really looking good. Thanks for sharing.
All the best for the Art Fair, Marcel!
I find Affinity Publisher easy and good. I felt a need to keep a trace of the images done during the photowalks i guide, something more lasting and more focussed than the endless scrolling of Insta — the ebook/zine format seems to do the work: you can download 'Three walks in the estuary of Tejo' at https://framadrive.org/s/G5MSFMBqrLCCN3K
Also done with Affinity are two small books printed and sold on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hity9Yx and https://a.co/d/7mpZByr
This is a great idea. That is one downfall of photo walks is having a way for the participants to see / share photos from the day with each other.
Plus a good discussion and ideas in this post, thanks Marcel!
My zines are available on my website: https://www.xavierbuendia.com/shop
Hi Marcel, I used free program Scribus to design this photo essay on Amsterdam Central Station. The printing is from 'Drukwerknodig', which is surprisingly good and cheap. I made the digital version (with audio) with Heyzine. Enjoy: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/e7ceb0dd2f.html
It looks fantastic, Marcel. I’m in the process of making a zine at the moment, with Mixam, as I’ve used them before with great results. Someone (I think it may have been Andrew Eberlin - apologies if it wasn’t you, Andrew) posted a link to Affinity Publisher, which really interests me. I’ll happily share my zine when it’s finished.
Great Elle, looking forward to seeing it.
Everyone talks about zines like everyone knows what they are. What's the difference between a zine and a book?
Hi Kevin,
According to the English dictionary it is:
“ An inexpensively produced, self-published, underground publication.”
It usually is up to 48 pages, mostly stapled or digital as e-book. ‘Normal’ books are professionally produced and often bound.and contain more pages. What does not mean a zine cannot be produced professionally.
Thanks, Marcel. So it is generally the same as a book, but of cheaper production? Maybe with fewer pages?
Yes. And often self printed on Xerox, stapled and folded.
Thank you! It seemed like that was how zines are, but it was never really clear. And people talk about using publishers, so I just wanted a little clarity.
It’s looking good Marcel. I’ve recently printed a zine of place writing with images called ‘A New Topography’ which is available through my website priced £10 plus P&P and has had some lovely reviews. I used Affinity Publisher which is excellent. It was printed by You Love Print (UK) and I was very happy with the quality and colour reproduction. I understand that Mixam are a print broker rather than a printer; they were also recommended to me but use a number of different print companies.
Links
‘A New Topography’ https://www.michelagriffith.com/handmade-artists-books
You Love Print https://youloveprint.co.uk/
Thanks Michaela, I like that zine. And also the book videos on your website. There's a lot effort put into that.
Thanks Marcel 😊 I really wanted to offer something affordable, hence the zine - I love making handmade books but this pushes price up. (Though I still spent an age fiddling around with the artwork for ANT - hopefully next time I’ll be quicker!)
The proof looks good! I like it’s simplicity. Great job!
Thanks Susanne. The eventual zine will be completely different, just wanted to check the printquality and see how spreads work out.
Ah, okay! Looking forward to the final version then!
May i ask, how many copies do you print? And what is the approximate per copy price?
Well it depends. For this art fair, last year I welcomed over 600 visitors, so I guess I’ll print 100 copies. Can sell what is left via the website as well. Should be a few dollars/euros so people will not have to think about it and take something home with them. Who knows what will follow after that…
Thanks for the mixam print tip. They look like good value and very flexible. I used Newspaper Club for the one zine I’ve done so far but this looks like it could be a better option. And they do print on demand.
And the zine can be found here!
https://www.brighterside.co.uk/photo-prints
Great Andrew. And I will try Mixam as well. P.o.d. is perfect for this use case.
The zine is looking great, I like the layout! Can't wait to see the final version. Thanks for the mention Marcel!