In the ever-evolving landscape of modern culture, zines have carved out a unique niche. These self-published, often handcrafted booklets have their roots in the counterculture movements of the 20th century, but today, they’re not just the domain of artists, activists, and indie publishers. Increasingly, corporations, agencies, and studios are harnessing the power of zines to promote themselves or their clients. At Ex Why Zed, we’re at the forefront of this trend, providing top-notch zine printing services to a diverse range of clients. In this post, we’ll showcase some of the most innovative and engaging zines we’ve had the pleasure of printing.
London Short Film Festival Programme: A Cinematic Zine
The London Short Film Festival Programme for 2020 took the format of a self-cover zine, allowing the pages to open easily for attendees. The layout is legible and straightforward, with the name of the film at the top and some text underneath, forming a really neat publication. The 60 pages are wire-stitched down the side, making it a practical and stylish guide for festival-goers.
BBC Sport: Engaging the Younger Demographic
BBC Sport approached us to print a zine for their new intake of interns. Generally, they are in their early 20s, so printing an introductory handbook in zine form was a good fit for the target market. It has a slightly thicker 250gsm front cover and 130gsm silk all the way through. This neat zine format effectively promotes the creative work they’re doing at BBC Sport.
‘We Make London’: A Zine for the Science Museum
‘We Make London’ is a cool little zine we’ve just printed recently in conjunction with the design agency Raw Ground Arts. This zine was created for a Science Museum exhibition. They wanted a zine format to appeal directly to the demographic of children and youths that they’ve been working with on this project. So, they opted for a 300gsm front cover plus matt lamination, resulting in a solid and engaging solution.
Adidas x Stella Sport: A Zine Lookbook
Next up is the Adidas x Stella Sport zine lookbook for their recent collection. They went for an A4 format with all the pages onto the same 100gsm paperweight. The pages are nice and flimsy, easily opening all the way through. Two staples down the spine bind it together. The zine features glorious full-colour images all the way through and punchy typography. This was a big hit at the launch party at Topshop on Oxford Street, where a large number of industry types enjoyed consuming the content in zine form.
Trailblazer Mag: An Interactive Magazine for Kids
Trailblazer Mag is a superb new interactive magazine from @arianacreates_ for kids aged 6-13. This zine offers 24 pages of engaging, bright design, colouring pages, cut and keep content, and features a spotlight on the brilliant @rubyst and @180.studios @storyseedspod @whowhenwowpod. Trailblazer Mag aims to introduce new and exciting art topics to kids each month while also exercising their creativity.
Wellcome Collection’s ‘Stories’: A Perfect Bound Business Zine
For longer content business zines, perfect binding is a great option, as demonstrated by the Wellcome Collection with their ‘Stories’. This zine explores intersections of society that we often consider to be separate but change our understanding when they collide.
Vevo’s First Ever Print Publication
Ex Why Zed was incredibly proud to work with cutting-edge music video host, Vevo, on its first ever print publication which championed their 20 artists to watch out for in 2017. The finished magazine arrived in New York just after Thanksgiving weekend and were swiftly distributed across the US while the London copies were given out by street teams.
An Insightful Book by Ok Cool
An insightful book by Ok Cool captures Londoners in their natural environment, London, and asking them whether they are on TikTok. Vivid bright green Pantone printing, translucent divider sheets and slick graphic design contribute to make this an engaging zine. A gloriously curated, magnificently designed, boundary-pushing @okcool zine featuring 6 colour printing, magic-revealing translucent sheets, a bespoke size and the simple question; RU ON TIKTOK? Sixteen Londoners were asked the question and the pages are filled with their responses and photography as we transcend the digital hyper-reality of @tiktok_uk into a printed artefact. You see, everyone still loves a physical piece as much as they love scrolling through the latest dance trend!
Increasingly, we are seeing shrewd brands printing zines with us to target a younger audience demographic. Keen to lure them away from screens, a printed zine is a tangible and captivating alternative which, if designed and styled correctly, can engage attention to deliver a message.
FAQs
Do people still buy zines?
Yes, people still buy zines. Despite the digital age, there’s a unique appeal to holding a physical copy of a zine. It’s a tangible piece of art that you can touch, feel, and even smell. Plus, zines often cover niche topics that might not be widely available in mainstream media.
Why are zines so important?
Zines are important because they offer a platform for self-expression and creativity. They allow individuals and groups to share their thoughts, ideas, and art with the world. In the corporate world, zines can serve as a unique marketing tool, helping to promote a brand or product in a creative and engaging way.
How were zines printed?
Traditionally, zines were printed using DIY methods like photocopiers. Today, professional printing services like Ex Why Zed offer high-quality zine printing, allowing for a wide range of sizes, paper types, and binding options.
How do you display zines?
Zines can be displayed in a variety of ways. Some people like to showcase them on bookshelves or coffee tables, while others prefer to hang them on walls
or create dedicated zine racks. In a corporate setting, zines can be displayed in waiting areas, reception desks, or even distributed at events and trade shows.
Why did zines become popular?
Zines became popular as a form of counterculture communication in the 20th century, allowing individuals and groups to share their views and art outside of mainstream media. Today, their popularity continues due to their unique charm, DIY ethos, and the creative freedom they offer.
How did zines become popular?
Zines became popular through word of mouth, distribution at events, and through underground networks. Today, the internet has also played a significant role in the popularity of zines, allowing creators to reach a global audience.
Modern Zine Printing your for Brand or Agency
Zines are a powerful tool in the modern corporate and agency world, offering a unique way to engage with audiences, promote brands, and showcase creativity. At Ex Why Zed, we’re proud to be part of this exciting evolution, providing top-quality zine printing services to our clients. Whether you’re a corporation, an agency, or an individual, we’re here to help you bring your zine vision to life.
