A zine (short for magazine or fanzine) is a small, self-published work. They’re typically photocopied or printed at home, and they can be about literally anything: art, poetry, politics, niche hobbies, personal stories, you name it.
Zines have roots going back surprisingly far. Science fiction fan communities were producing fanzines as early as the 1930s, using whatever duplication technology they could get their hands on — mimeographs, spirit duplicators, and later photocopiers. The punk movement of the 1970s and 80s embraced zines wholeheartedly, with cut-and-paste layouts and a proudly rough-around-the-edges aesthetic. The Riot Grrrl movement of the 1990s used zines as a powerful vehicle for feminist voices.
What all these movements share is a DIY ethos: you don’t need a publishing house or a printing press. You just need something to say, some paper, and access to a photocopier (or a home printer — even better).
Octavo has two single-sheet mini zine imposition styles, both of which are completely free to use without purchasing:
8-Page Zine — A classic mini zine made from a single sheet of paper. You print it, make one cut, and fold it up into a tiny 8-page booklet. No staples required. There’s even an option for a “secret poster” on the back — a full-sheet image that’s revealed when you unfold the zine.
Concertina Zine — An accordion-fold zine, printed double-sided on a single sheet. When folded, it zigzags open like a concertina. You get two copies of the zine from each sheet of paper.
If you want something a bit more substantial, you can use any of Octavo’s other imposition styles for zine-making too. A saddle stitched booklet is a popular choice for longer zines — fold a few sheets in half, staple along the spine, and you’ve got yourself a nicely formed publication.