Print Your Own Photography Zine

203.2x152.4 mm Books (8x6")
4pp Cover onto 250gsm Gloss
Gloss Lamination to outer
Full colour print to outer
204pp Text onto 100gsm Uncoated (12mm spine)
Black print throughout
Perfect bound

“I just got the zines and they are absolutely beautiful! Thank you SOO much and I can’t wait to print with you guys again soon.”
— Valerie J. Bower

Starting the Conversation

In May, we received a message from Los Angeles-based photographer Valerie Bower. Known for her soulful monochrome street photography, Valerie was ready to bring her newest zine to life: Paris / EU / UK. It would be her latest document of quiet moments, city shapes, and shadowplay — a story told through grayscale stillness.

She had a vision, and we were here to help realise it.

“Hello Mike, hope you are well! I have a new photo zine I would love to get printed with you…”

The Spec — Refined with Care

Valerie initially reached out with her idea for a glossy black-and-white zine. As we moved through the quoting stage, she explored alternatives and asked great questions:

What if we switched to uncoated inner pages for a softer, more filmic feel?
Could the cover remain in colour, to retain her subtle pink title text?
Could we price for 30 vs 50 copies to suit her budget and plans?

We were happy to break it all down. Ultimately, she settled on:

Size: 203 x 154 mm (8 x 6")
Cover: 4pp on 250gsm gloss, colour print, gloss laminated
Text pages: 204pp on 100gsm uncoated, black-only print
Binding: Perfect bound

This combination gave Valerie’s grayscale imagery the soft, dreamlike tactility she’s known for — while allowing the vibrant cover design to pop.

Supporting the Artist Every Step

Once Valerie confirmed her specs, we sent over a blank InDesign file with exact spine and bleed measurements. She shared her final PDFs a few days later via WeTransfer — ready to print.

But before we hit “go,” we flagged a common issue:

Printing black and white photos digitally can be tricky — even if they look perfect on screen.

We sent Valerie our in-depth video guide on this topic, ensuring her expectations were matched with best practice.

“The inside pages are all grayscale images, on the front cover is CMYK because of the pink text… I’m OK with going with the PDFs!”

The Proofing Process

Before printing, we issued a final PDF proof for approval — complete with trim guides and resolution notes. Valerie gave the green light, and we moved swiftly into production.

Final Delivery

Just over a week later, Paris / EU / UK was on its way. Printed, bound, packed, and tracked.

The moment it reached her?

“I just got the zines and they are absolutely beautiful! THANK YOU SOO much!”

Why This Project Shines

Valerie’s project is a fantastic example of photography journal printing done right:

Uncoated paper softened the contrast of her images, evoking the quiet tone of her work.
Colour cover allowed subtle detail to come through, especially the pink type in the design.
Perfect binding gave the zine permanence — a collectible, not just a print run.
The 8x6" size is ideal for handheld viewing — neither too small nor overwhelming.

The result is a tactile journal of travel, texture, and emotion — printed to feel like the journey itself.

From Vision to Reality — That’s the Ex Why Zed Way

Valerie’s project is a testament to how we work:

✅ Detailed quoting with flexibility
✅ Creative guidance around papers, print settings, and pitfalls
✅ Friendly, prompt communication
✅ Artist-first ethos — we want your project to look as good as you do

Actionable Insights: Designing a Black & White Photography Journal Like Paris / EU / UK

Printing a photography zine is more than choosing images and clicking export. Every detail — from paper to palette to pace — plays a role in the story you tell. Valerie Bower’s Paris / EU / UK is a masterclass in lo-fi elegance, and here’s what you can learn from it.

1. Choose a Format That Supports Your Story

Valerie picked a 203 x 154 mm (8x6") size — not quite A5, not quite square. The result? A perfectly proportioned book that feels intentional, intimate, and portable.

Takeaway:

Avoid defaulting to standard sizes. Choose dimensions that suit your work's tone and pace.
8x6" is ideal for quiet, contemplative imagery — large enough to showcase detail, small enough to feel like a travel companion.

2. Uncoated Paper Adds Soul to Monochrome Work

Instead of glossy pages, Valerie opted for 100gsm uncoated inner stock. This softened the contrast, gave her black and white photos a matte finish, and matched the analogue energy of her content.

Takeaway:

Uncoated paper absorbs ink slightly, producing a muted, film-like effect — perfect for street or documentary work.
Test both gloss and uncoated if possible — what looks great on screen might not feel right in print.

3. Print Black & White — But Do It Right

Valerie’s book used black-only printing for the interiors. However, we helped her navigate a crucial point: black & white images that appear grayscale onscreen may actually be CMYK or RGB under the hood — causing issues in print.

Takeaway:

Convert all B&W images to grayscale mode in your editing software.
Watch our video guide on Printing Black and White Images to avoid muddy tones and off-colour shadows.
Always get a proof and view it on a proper screen — not just your phone.

4. Use Colour Strategically (Even in a B&W Book)

Valerie’s interiors were monochrome, but she retained a pop of pink in the title text on her front cover — meaning the outer was printed in full colour. A small touch that made the cover instantly recognisable and emotionally resonant.

Takeaway:

A splash of colour on an otherwise black & white project can guide the eye, signal meaning, or reinforce branding.
You’re allowed to mix approaches — just be intentional about where and why.

5. Perfect Binding Adds Professional Weight

She chose perfect binding over saddle stitching — a square spine that gives a zine-like project more permanence. This elevated Paris / EU / UK into the realm of collectible books, not disposable pamphlets.

Takeaway:

For 80+ pages, perfect binding is the way to go.
It allows for spine text and improves durability for handling, shipping, and retail presentation.

6. Layer Your Narrative — Beyond Just Images

Valerie didn’t just include photographs. She added handwritten notes, travel tickets, boarding pass collages, and layered visual motifs. This turned the journal into a lived experience, not just a visual gallery.

Takeaway:

Mix media. Add sketches, scrawled thoughts, receipts — these tell your story just as much as the camera does.
Think about pacing. Use empty space intentionally. Every spread should breathe.

7. Small Runs Are OK — Print What You Need

Valerie started with a modest 50 copies, keeping costs manageable while maintaining high production value. Smart, sustainable, and stress-free.

Takeaway:

Don’t feel pressure to print hundreds. You can scale up later once you test demand.
At Ex Why Zed, we’re happy to quote for as few as 30–50 copies, and the quality doesn’t drop an inch.

8. Ask Questions, Get Support

Throughout the process, Valerie asked great questions — about cover options, uncoated vs glossy paper, grayscale accuracy, and more. This helped her make confident decisions and avoid common mistakes.

Takeaway:

Don’t go it alone. We’re here to answer anything.
The more you ask, the more tailored and stress-free your print experience will be.

Wrap-Up: Make It Personal, Make It Print

Valerie’s Paris / EU / UK proves that small books can make a big impression when every design choice supports the content. Her approach was thoughtful, tactile, and totally on-brand — a template for any creative ready to share their vision with the world.

So what will your zine say?

👉 Ready to print your own photography journal?
Start with a quote or drop us a question — we’re friendly, fast, and full of ideas:
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