Why Gen Z Is Reviving Zines—and How to Start Your Own

In a world driven by digital everything—from TikTok trends to Instagram influencers—it might seem surprising that Gen Z is turning to a seemingly archaic medium: zines. These self-published, often handmade booklets are seeing a powerful resurgence among young people. But why are zines back, and more importantly, how can you start one yourself?

This article explores the cultural revival of zines, what makes them so appealing to a new generation, and offers a step-by-step guide on creating your own. Whether you’re looking to express yourself, build a niche community, or create a physical artifact in an increasingly digital world, zines are the perfect tool.

What Are Zines? A Brief History

Zines, short for “magazines” or “fanzines,” have roots that go back to the 1930s, when science fiction fans began self-publishing their thoughts in small booklets. Over time, zines became a staple of various underground movements—from punk and Riot Grrrl scenes in the ’70s and ’90s to indie art collectives and feminist movements.

Unlike traditional publications, zines are DIY, often non-commercial, and made with a spirit of creative freedom. They’re typically photocopied, stapled, and distributed by hand or through small independent bookstores.

Why Gen Z Is Bringing Zines Back

1. Digital Burnout and the Longing for Tangibility

Growing up in the digital age, Gen Z is hyper-connected. Yet this connection often comes with digital fatigue. Social media can feel overwhelming, performative, and controlled by algorithms. In contrast, zines offer something real—something you can touch, hold, and keep.

Creating or reading a zine becomes an intimate, offline experience. It’s the antidote to endless scrolling. Gen Z is craving authenticity, and zines provide that.

2. A Platform Without Censorship

Big tech platforms have terms of service, community guidelines, and shadow bans that limit expression. Zines, by nature, are free from gatekeepers. This makes them especially attractive to marginalized voices, activists, and creatives who want to share their stories without fear of censorship.

A zine can be messy, emotional, raw, and entirely your own. It’s a form of unfiltered self-expression that feels increasingly rare.

3. Nostalgia and Retro Aesthetics

The ’90s and early 2000s are having a major moment—from fashion to music. Zines are an extension of this nostalgia, offering a tangible throwback to a time before digital saturation.

This retro appeal fits neatly into Gen Z’s aesthetic sensibilities. Zines often feature collage art, hand lettering, and cut-and-paste graphics, all of which lend themselves to a vintage DIY look that’s hard to replicate digitally.

4. Building Community and Shared Identity

Unlike the passive act of “liking” a post, contributing to or exchanging zines fosters real community engagement. Zine fairs, workshops, and pen-pal networks have grown, creating spaces for people to gather around shared interests, beliefs, and causes.

For Gen Z—often isolated by remote learning, online-only socializing, and pandemic life—zine culture offers connection on their own terms.

Types of Zines Popular Among Gen Z

Zines today are incredibly diverse. Here are some types that are especially popular with Gen Z creators:

• Perzines (personal zines): Memoir-style writing about mental health, identity, or daily life.

• Fanzines: Dedicated to a band, book, TV show, or niche pop culture fandom.

• Political zines: Addressing issues like climate change, anti-racism, or gender justice.

• Art zines: showcasing collage, poetry, photography, and experimental visual work.

• Queer zines: Exploring LGBTQ+ experiences, gender expression, and community resilience.

These genres reflect the intersectional values and activist spirit of Gen Z while providing a way to creatively express passion, pain, and perspective.

The DIY Philosophy Behind Zines

What makes zines unique isn’t just the content—it’s the do-it-yourself ethic. You don’t need a fancy printer, design software, or a degree in graphic design. What you need is a voice, a vision, and the courage to create.

This democratized approach to publishing is empowering. Anyone—regardless of money, status, or background—can make a zine. That’s why they’ve been historically important in activist circles and why Gen Z is embracing them again now.

How to Start Your Own Zine: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re inspired to make your own zine, you’re in the right place. Here’s a complete breakdown to help you go from idea to print.

Step 1: Define Your Purpose

Ask yourself, why do I want to make this zine? What’s the story I want to tell?

Maybe you want to explore your identity, share your poetry, promote your band, or spotlight social justice issues. Clarity of purpose will help guide the tone, layout, and structure of your zine.

Step 2: Choose a Format

Zines come in all shapes and sizes, but here are a few common formats:

• Half-page zine (5.5” x 8.5”): Made by folding standard paper in half.

• Quarter-page zine (4.25” x 5.5”): Made by folding paper twice.

• Full-page zine: 8.5” x 11”, offering more space for artwork and text.

Decide whether it’ll be black and white (easy to photocopy) or color (more expensive but visually striking). You can go analog with scissors and glue or digital with tools like Canva or Adobe InDesign.

Step 3: Create Your Content

Zines thrive on raw, personal content. Depending on your theme, include:

• Written pieces: Essays, poems, rants, interviews, manifestos

• Visuals: Drawings, comics, collage, photography

• Interactive sections: Quizzes, puzzles, or coloring pages

• Call to action: Include links, social media, or QR codes for further engagement

Don’t overthink it—zines are about expression, not perfection.

Step 4: Assemble and Design

If working by hand, lay out your pages using

• Scissors, glue sticks, tape, markers

• Photocopier or scanner to duplicate pages

If working digitally:

• Use free tools like Canva or Google Docs for layout

• Save your file as a PDF for easy printing

Make sure your layout flows well and each page contributes to your zine’s narrative arc or visual rhythm.

Step 5: Print and Fold

Once your zine is complete, it’s time to print. Keep it simple:

• Use home printers or local copy shops

• Experiment with different paper textures and colors

• Fold and staple (or stitch) your pages manually

For larger runs, try small-run printers that specialize in zine printing, like Mixam or Risolve.

Step 6: Distribute Your Zine

Distribution can be just as creative as the content. Some ways to get your zine out there:

• Trade zines by mail with other creators

• Sell at zine fests, artist markets, or local bookstores

• Upload a digital version to platforms like Issuu or Gumroad

• Promote on social media, especially Instagram and TikTok, where zine communities thrive

You can also create a newsletter or Patreon to share zines with your audience on a regular basis.

Sustaining a Zine Practice

Starting your zine is just the beginning. If you want to sustain your zine-making:

• Create a schedule: Monthly or quarterly issues keep you consistent.

• Collaborate with others: Build a team of artists and writers.

• Host workshops: Teach others how to make zines in your community.

• Start a distro: Distribute other people’s zines as well as your own.

The more involved you get, the more rewarding and impactful your zine practice will be.

Why Zines Matter More Than Ever

In an era of noise, speed, and algorithmic control, zines offer a return to intentional communication. They are:

• Anti-algorithm: You decide the message, the medium, and the audience.

• Accessible: Low-cost to make, easy to share.

• Empowering: Every voice matters. Every story counts.

For Gen Z, zines are more than a trend—they’re a tool for survival, solidarity, and storytelling. They prove that in a world obsessed with going viral, slowing down and going deep still matters.

Final Thoughts: Start Where You Are

You don’t need to be a professional artist or writer to start a zine. All you need is a message worth sharing, a few basic materials, and a little time.

Zines are freedom in folded form. Whether you’re venting, dreaming, documenting, or protesting—your zine is your space.

So grab a pen. Rip up some magazines. Fire up Canva. The zine revolution is here—and you’re invited.