Most of the people we work with have spent weeks or months refining their project before it ever reaches the printing stage. Rearranging layouts repeatedly. Tweaking typography. Testing image sequences. Debating paper stocks. Trying to make everything feel exactly right before finally sending it off.
That is why we approach zine printing differently.
At Ex Why Zed, we help Liverpool artists, musicians, illustrators, photographers, students, and independent publishers create zines that feel exciting, tactile, and properly considered from the very first page to the final finish.
Whether you want textured uncoated papers, bold colour-heavy spreads, heavyweight covers, unusual formats, or beautifully finished perfect-bound publications, our team helps make the process feel approachable, collaborative, and genuinely creative from start to finish.
From DIY music zines and photography projects to portfolios, comics, fashion editorials, and experimental publications, we combine premium print quality, fast turnarounds, and friendly expert support to help independent creative work look its absolute best in print.
There is a moment every creative project reaches where it stops feeling hypothetical. That is where we come in.
Here’s What the Journey Usually Looks Like at Ex Why Zed:
1. Tell Us About Your Zine
Use our instant quote calculator to choose your size, quantity, paper stock, binding style, and specification. You'll get clear pricing immediately with no confusing surprises later.
2. Choose the Right Format for Your Project
Select from saddle stitched, perfect bound, or hardback binding depending on how you want the finished publication to feel. We'll happily help if you're unsure which option suits your project best.
3. Pick Your Papers and Finishes
Choose from uncoated, silk, gloss, recycled, and FSC-certified paper stocks. You can also explore premium finishes such as foiling, embossing, textured covers, spot UV, and specialist materials for something more distinctive.
4. Send Your Artwork
Simply upload your PDF, and we'll take it from there. Whether your files come from InDesign, Canva, Affinity Publisher, or another design package, we'll help ensure everything is ready for production.
5. We Check Everything Before Printing
Our experienced team reviews your artwork before production begins, helping identify any potential issues with sizing, bleed, margins, image quality, or file setup before they become expensive mistakes.
6. We Print, Bind, and Finish Your Zines
Once approved, your publication moves into production using premium HP Indigo and Heidelberg presses, before being trimmed, bound, quality checked, and carefully packed.
7. Your Zines Arrive Ready to Share
Your finished zines are delivered directly to your door, ready for exhibitions, fairs, launches, independent shops, mail orders, events, or wherever your publication is heading next.
The size of your zine affects how people read it, carry it, and interact with the content. Some formats are compact and portable, while others give artwork, photography, and layouts more space to stand out.
At Ex Why Zed, we print zines in a wide range of sizes, including:
The best size depends on your content and how you want people to experience it. If you're not sure which format is right for your project, we're always happy to help you choose before printing begins.
Paper plays a major role in how artwork, photography, and typography are presented, which is why choosing the right stock is just as important as the content itself.
At Ex Why Zed, we always tell creators that paper quietly shapes the entire reading experience.
Different paper stocks create very different results. Ex Why Zed offers a range of paper stocks:
Paper thickness matters too.
Most Liverpool creators printing with Ex Why Zed choose 115gsm or 130gsm because it balances quality, affordability, and a satisfying feel in-hand really well.
Most people only ever see the final zine.
They do not see the paper choices being compared, the pages coming off the press, the trimming, folding, binding, colour checks, or the tiny finishing details that completely change how a publication feels once somebody picks it up.
That is exactly what our zine printing video guide shows you.
At Ex Why Zed, we take you behind the scenes of the full printing process so you can properly understand how different papers, formats, bindings, and finishes shape the final result. It is a practical visual walkthrough designed for artists, photographers, illustrators, students, musicians, and independent publishers who want their work to look and feel right in print.
You will also see how different creative projects come together physically, why certain paper stocks work better for some styles than others, and how small production choices can completely transform the personality of a zine once it leaves the screen and becomes something tangible.
The way a zine is bound changes far more than just how the pages are held together. It shapes how the publication feels in somebody’s hands, how people interact with it, and even where it naturally belongs once printed.
That is why binding is such an important part of the print process at Ex Why Zed.
Most Liverpool creators printing with us usually choose between these three binding styles depending on their project:
Saddle Stitch Binding
Saddle stitching gives zines that familiar, approachable feel people instantly recognise from comic fairs, exhibitions, music publications, creative markets, and self-published projects.
It works especially well for shorter publications, illustration projects, photography zines, student work, and smaller print runs designed to feel flexible, lightweight, and personal.
Saddle stitching is usually best suited for zines under 40 pages.
Perfect Binding
Perfect binding instantly gives a zine more structure and presence. The square spine creates a cleaner presentation that feels more substantial once somebody picks it up.
It is especially popular for fashion editorials, photography collections, portfolios, and larger visual publications needing additional page space and a more polished overall appearance.
Perfect binding is generally best suited for projects over 40 pages.
And if you are unsure which binding style suits your publication best, we are always happy to help guide you before production begins.
Hardback Binding
For creators looking to push beyond traditional zine formats, hardback binding offers a distinctive, premium alternative.
While less common than saddle-stitched or perfect-bound zines, hardback zines are becoming increasingly popular for photography projects, artist monographs, exhibition publications, limited editions, and collector-focused releases.
Combined with premium papers, printed endpapers, foiling, embossing, or cloth-effect covers, hardback zines create a memorable experience that readers are far more likely to keep, display, and revisit.
Hardback binding is particularly suited to projects where presentation is just as important as the content itself.
Independent publications travel in all kinds of directions.
Some end up stacked on gallery tables in Liverpool. Some get sold at print fairs in London. Others are packed off to stockists overseas, mailed to online customers, carried to exhibitions, or sent straight to somebody excitedly waiting beside their letterbox.
Creators printing with us benefit from:
So whether your zines are travelling five streets away or five countries away, we make sure they arrive looking exactly how they should.
One of the best parts of zine printing at Ex Why Zed is seeing how different every project turns out. Over the years, we’ve printed everything from music zines and photography projects to illustrated publications, fashion editorials, exhibition catalogues, student work, and independent passion projects for creators across Liverpool and far beyond.
“I take great pleasure in writing a review for Ex Why Zed. They are an amazing company in every way. From their first friendly contact to the finished product, they are exceptional. I cannot speak highly enough of their services! They are personable, efficient, incredibly reliable and just the best company to work with. I am so grateful for the day I came across their website. I have never looked back!"
Linda
Printing a zine can involve lots of decisions, from paper stocks to file setup. That's why the Ex Why Zed team is always available to answer questions and help independent creators achieve the best possible results from their projects.
Many print studios in Liverpool offer fast zine turnaround, including same-week delivery for simple projects. Choose services like Ex Why Zed for instant online quotes, clear paper options, and collection points, especially if you need student-friendly printing without delays.
Printing costs for zines usually depend on page count, paper quality, colour usage, and binding style. Ex Why Zed offers affordable rates for small runs, making short batches practical for artists, students, and creators testing ideas before reprints.
Ex Why Zed is one of the UK's best-known specialist zine printers, offering flexible print runs, multiple paper options, and expert support. Many zine makers choose online services that provide reliable proofs, consistent quality, and straightforward ordering for independent publishing projects.
Most online zine printing services accept print-ready PDF files with embedded fonts and correct bleed settings. Before uploading, confirm the number of pages required and follow the booklet printing templates carefully to avoid alignment problems, issues, or delays.
Common zine formats include A5 booklets, folded mini zines, square layouts, and newspaper styles. Different types of zines often suit different audiences, so selecting the right paper type, trim size, and binding can improve readability, portability, and presentation.
You can distribute your own zine through independent bookstores, comic fairs, art markets, online shops, or social media. Some printers allow a single order without minimum order requirements, helping creators test audience interest before investing in production quantities.
Stapled booklets work well for shorter zines, while sewn or glued bindings suit larger publications. Many creators choose perfect bound formats for presentation, although perfect bound zines usually require spines, higher budgets, and longer production timelines than stapled alternatives.
Good zine prototypes can start with folded paper mockups, home-printed drafts, or simple digital layouts. Creating a rough version helps refine sequencing, pacing, and creative vision before investing money into printing your first zine through commercial services.
Creating a photo zine starts with strong images and the right print setup. At Ex Why Zed, you can get an instant quote, choose from multiple paper stocks, and produce a high quality publication that showcases your work professionally.
Many UK zine printers now offer recycled stocks, FSC® certified papers, soy-based inks, and sustainable packaging options. Choosing environmentally responsible materials can reduce waste while maintaining professional print quality.
