Skate Zine Printing: Bringing Skateboarding to Life in Print
An action-packed and informative 5 minute read.
Skateboarding isn’t just a sport—it’s a lifestyle, a creative movement, and a thriving subculture. At its core lies a rich tapestry of self-expression, storytelling, and artistry, all of which can be captured beautifully through print. From gritty street scenes to high-flying tricks and the personalities behind them, skate zines and art books serve as lasting tributes to the skateboarding community. Whether you’re looking to create a Perfect Bound Skate Zine, a Stapled Skate Zine, or a Hardback Skateboard Art Book, print is the perfect medium to immortalise the energy, stories, and visuals of skateboarding.
Make Informed Printing Choices
At Ex Why Zed, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most innovative creators in the skateboarding world. Through our expertise, we help turn bold ideas into stunning physical publications, each one tailored to reflect the individuality of the project. To help you make informed choices about skate zine printing and skate art books, we’ve analysed and dissected a series of recent printing projects. These case studies showcase the variety of materials, formats, and finishes available, offering insight and inspiration for your next creative endeavour.
Dive into these success stories and discover how thoughtful design and expert printing bring skateboarding’s vibrant culture to life.
Skate Zines That Push Boundaries
The Skate Art of Yaia
Julio Cesar Battistelli’s hardback art book is a feast for the senses. Featuring a matt laminated cover with Spot UV varnish and Colorplan Ebony endpapers, the design reflects the bold and underground spirit of skateboarding. Inside, the silk paper pages chronicle Yaia’s evolution as an artist, blending gritty monochrome sketches with bursts of colour. This Hardback Skateboard Art Book exemplifies how material and finish choices enhance storytelling.
Key takeaway: Pair tactile elements like Spot UV and silk paper with bold design to capture the spirit of skateboarding art.
Enjoy Yaia's skateboard art book case study >
Wolftown – Good Things Begin in the Dark
Chris Emery’s Perfect Bound Skate Zine blends immersive visuals with high-gloss lamination to create a magazine that feels substantial and dynamic. The use of full-bleed photography and high-contrast layouts makes this project leap off the page. Printed on 170gsm gloss paper, it’s a tactile celebration of urban subculture.
Key takeaway: Full-bleed imagery and contrasting colour palettes create a rhythm and narrative that engage the reader.
Enjoy the full skate zine case study >
Naughty by Dominic Marley
Dominic Marley’s Hardback Skateboard Art Book is a minimalist masterpiece. With anti-scuff laminated covers and FSC-certified silk paper, this project balances bold cover typography with timeless black-and-white photography. The full-page spreads highlight the energy of skateboarding while the thoughtful layout provides space for each shot to breathe.
Key takeaway: A minimalist design paired with premium materials creates a timeless tribute to skateboarding culture.
Enjoy the full skate art book case study >
Celebrating Collaboration Through Print
Sidewalk Magazine – Redux 1 & 2
These bi-annual Perfect Bound Skate Zines encapsulate skateboarding culture in a tactile format. Both editions feature 350gsm Silk covers with matt lamination and 170gsm Silk pages, allowing vivid full-colour imagery to shine. Designed to bring online issues into physical form, these publications prove that the power of print is unmatched in creating a lasting impression.
Key takeaway: Repurposing digital content into a tactile publication makes it more personal and enduring.
Enjoy the full skateboard magazine case study >
"Same Old Zine" Series
This retro-inspired series honours the DIY skate zine printing ethos of the 1980s. With uncoated paper and a muted colour palette, these Stapled Skate Zines evoke nostalgia while capturing modern skateboarding narratives. The contributors’ blend of photography, letters, and artwork creates a dynamic, multi-layered experience.
Key takeaway: Uncoated stock and DIY-inspired design amplify authenticity in niche skate zines.
Enjoy the full skate zine printing case study >
Lost Art x Nike Skate Zine
This collaboration between Lost Art and Nike epitomises raw creativity. The A4 Stapled Skate Zine, printed in black and white on uncoated stock, resonates with the underground energy of skateboarding. The tactile simplicity underscores the rebellious spirit of the culture.
Key takeaway: Black-and-white printing on uncoated stock emphasises grit and authenticity.
Enjoy the full skate zine printing case study >
Showcasing Creativity Through Unique Formats
Lobster Tales
A standout example of concertina postcard printing, "Lobster Tales" blends a perforated postcard set with a complementary zine. Printed on 280gsm Chromocard with a gloss front and uncoated reverse, the postcards create a tactile and interactive experience. Paired with an A5 zine and a sustainable kraft belly band, the project celebrates skateboarding in a playful, multi-format package.
Key takeaway: Experimenting with formats like concertina folds and perforation adds layers of engagement to printed materials.
Enjoy the full skate zine printing case study >
Do I Look Like I Care Issue 1 & 2
This series bridges the gap between Skate Zines and Art Books. Issue 1’s Perfect Bound Skate Zine format showcases dynamic photography across 150gsm Silk pages, while Issue 2’s Case Bound format elevates it to a premium collector’s piece. The consistent 250x200mm size offers a unique, manageable format for skate photography.
Key takeaway: Adapting a consistent format while experimenting with binding methods builds brand identity across a series.
Enjoy the full skate periodical printing case study >
Why Choose Ex Why Zed for Skate Zine Printing?
Skate zines and art books are more than publications—they’re artefacts of skateboarding culture. At Ex Why Zed, we specialise in creating these artefacts with unmatched quality and care. Here’s why we’re the go-to choice:
🌟Accessible, Expert, Friendly Advice. If you haven't done this before, don't worry, we have!
👩💻 Free File Check and Preflight. We aim for perfection and will let you know if anything needs changing.
💃🏻 We Talk the Talk, But We Also Walk the Walk. ⏰ Replies in minutes from print experts, not days or weeks.
🌲 All Papers are FSC Certified. Sustainable printing guaranteed and we also use vegetable inks for litho jobs.
🚀 Fast Turnaround. Booklet delivery in 3 working days. Perfect bound books delivered in 4 and hardback books delivered in 6.
🏆 Finest Digital and Litho Print. HP Indigo and Heidelberg Litho - the best possible quality for short, medium and long print runs.
🖨️ Professional Printing process. Best industry practice, not a mickey mouse website where you throw JPGs at the screen then keep your fingers crossed.
🛠️ Flexible Custom Options. The answer is "Yes", now what is the question?
🖼️ Enjoy 500 Case Studies in our Portfolio. Not made-up CGI nonsense like the other sites have 🤣
😍 A Solution For Every Budget. We always quote for a range of quantities to help hit your target price.🎁 FREE Paper Samples. Make the best possible choice from our extensive print options.
🌍 FREE UK Delivery. Your print will arrive by tracked courier, the day after it leaves us.
🌍 Worldwide Shipping at cost price from a network of couriers.
✅ Transforming Your Ideas Into Print Since 2006.
Start a conversation with us today on hello@exwhyzed.com or 01206 766647.
Ready to Self Publish a Skate Book? Let’s Get Started!
Whether you’re creating a niche skate zine, a collaborative art book, or a collector’s edition, Ex Why Zed is here to help you make your vision a reality. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and creativity ensures your project stands out.
Explore our portfolio or get in touch to start your skate zine printing journey. Together, let’s create something extraordinary.
Contact us today and discover why Ex Why Zed is the number one choice for Skate Zine Printing in the UK.
