Let's Talk About Zines and Why You Should Make One

[@GregKletsel]

Thank you all for the comments and for subscribing! I’m still here and will be coming back with new videos very soon! Stay tuned and thanks for the support!

[@colorblockpoprocks6973]

serendipitous that you'd pay the video mind after years and have a pinned comment to even directly respond to! this video gave me such a happy little glimpse into the world of what i presume to be a really kind and fun and creative guy! i've been really torn between creative project paths to tell my stories in; some methods lack aspects i'd prefer while most also just feel too large scale for the kind of stories I want to tell. now hearing about Zines... i think i would want to tell my stories in a zine series! thank you for the information, the encouragement, and for helping give my artistic endeavors more direction! i'm definitely going to check out the rest of your stuff! (:

[@thatonegirludontknow]

going to a zine fest in october and this was inspiring :) i've made zines in the past but its been a while!! getting that itch again!

[@odenkozukii]

thank you! i feel really excited to make a zine now lol

[@pauljakeman]

Great to hear!

[@1hound1]

What art program do you use?

[@ndwerashinha3511]

My childhood friend used to made me those in mini size with fun stuff. Imaginary ads about shampoo, news about imaginary fashionista, pictures of different things on notebook pages. I loved to read them. After we went to upper classes she stopped doing them. Those were fun to read.

[@ame_vagabonde]

You should talk to her about it! And say how much you liked them! Maybe it will inspire her to do one again, or just make her feel happy at the fond memory!

[@Couldntcomeupwahandle]

That’s so nice to honor her work like that! I bet it made her feel really good about herself!

[@random.oddities]

When people grow up and grow into society most of them lose their fun side. I'm actually surprised there's been a comeback in zine making. Good to see during an era of mass consumerism and distraction after internet 2.0 came around. I need to start collecting again.

[@MM-jr5sr]

Did you save them?

[@whackinator]

This was shown in my art fundamentals class! You were our “artist of the week” :)

[@Scaredrobin]

He more then deserves it ☺️

[@doodleplayer4014]

This is such a good idea! Instead of yapping my family's ears off for hour talking about my special interests, I can just hand them a zine and tell them to read it lol

[@paularose847]

Brilliant idea!

[@Buffbuffrules]

I can totally relate

[@upsnerch]

You can make something and then it exists! The simplicity, the satisfaction!!

[@arasandaga355]

i made something and i got made fun of because my writing is shit so

[@clouddyv]

​@@arasandaga355and? At least you did something and you liked it! don't waste your time on others opinions 🫶🏻

[@dir-gk]

Thas so true man.

[@bethany9273]

​@@arasandaga355I hope you don't let other people's comments stop you! It takes bravery to write anything in the first place and even more to share it with other people. If you really feel that your writing is bad and you want to get better practise is key but I'm sure it's great

[@Eva--Valentina]

pronouncing zine like pine is probably one of the most rebellious acts of my life

[@pixelzebra8440]

I hate you (no offense)

[@guywithaplan8556]

I've always pronounced it as Zee-neh lol

[@Eva--Valentina]

that's also very valid @@guywithaplan8556

[@elipse371]

@clementinesoupBut do you say Magazine like that too? That’s the big question.

[@MM-jr5sr]

@@elipse371 Maaghazee-neh

[@jessworby2804]

Damn it, Greg. I was all done with self-publishing, but you reminded me how excellent zines are. You devil, you.

[@GregKletsel]

Haha same here Jess. “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!”

[@b4innernetz]

@@GregKletsel 🤣🤣🤣

[@hedge1247]

I always make zines when I'm sick. They're always very tiny with six pages made of orange paper but it's so cool to look at how they've improved over time, and how my interests have changed.

[@jhorielleysabella]

i made a zine for my girlfriend :)) it was simple and handwritten+drawn, and its just "things that remind me of you". i hope she likes it edit: guys we broke up a over a yr ago 😭

[@Mana-pu7so]

This is absolutely adorable and no matter if she liked it, thank you for doing that!

[@cornonthecob2158]

That is the sweetest thing ever. I’m stealing this idea for my boyfriend 😊

[@jayneofthejungle]

I’m so happy a man like you exists. She’s lucky

[@arasandaga355]

i could only hope

[@jhorielleysabella]

@@jayneofthejungle im a girl :'D

[@ItsAllPainNoGain]

I like drawing monsters and landscapes as concepts for homebrew d&d games. One day I took a bunch of sketches and made a zine/video game manual for a retro rpg that doesn't exist. My friend loved it so much so I gave it to him. To this day it's his favorite thing to show off. Now I feel like making more from the dozens of sketchbooks I have

[@FritzVonR]

That sounds awesome! I'd love to read through that retro rpg manual!

[@HNXMedia]

I know this is 2 years old, and I am not sure why it showed up in my recommendations, but it sure is timely since I was thinking about getting back into doing a zine. I did one about 20 years ago. I used to print mine up and take it to book stores (remember those?) and stuff them inside of other magazines or books of similar interest. Truly a labor of love. With all the tech, it is easier than ever. Used to love them back in the 70s-80s. Time to give it another go. Thanks for the video and the inspiration.

[@nicreven]

a 5 minute video about a guy happily ranting about something he likes that's awesome

[@LucidScreening]

"Do you know how cool it is to just do something yourself, and not need permission" love that

[@TheWinni]

"You just make something and it exists." -Greg Kletsel Im sure someones said that before but this is the first time I've taken note of it and I love it honestly.

[@daniellewainwright7047]

Thank you! I have wanted to try this with my students, but I'm a Language Arts teacher who is gifted with words, but not in my ability to draw, so I have been stumped/ intimidated. I will absolutely be incorporating these into my class this semester!

[@ArtbyBrooke]

My mom taught a creative writing class and the whole class made a zine together, each kid got a page in it so she didn't even have to do anything except bring it all together and print it at the end!

[@CherryTones]

Then make the words your focus! Word it up, write sideways, upside down, cut out pictures from cereal boxes or newspapers or whatever else and glue them in there, put stickers, who cares! The focus is where u want it to be :)

[@withthesetwohands]

Maybe try some 'concrete poetry' - it might lead you to discover your gift for words can transform into a gift of artistry as well!

[@domesticcat1725]

You don't need to draw! Some of my favourite zines ever are mostly made up of plain text, collages, cutouts, or even pages upon pages of slightly homoerotic post stamps! The sky is the limit

[@chrisreese7142]

This is where you can have a magical time collaborating with someone you know can draw and put your wonderful words with their art. It can be a blast.

[@feralproud472]

I had no idea a Zine existed?!! You've just given me the spark I needed. I've been struggling with the reality of having to commercialise my art..I need an income, but my art has paid the price...when I just want to unleash the arty beast and express myself and scream from the rooftops 'this is kat!!' Thank you

[@joakimandersson7769]

I used to make these when I was a kid, I specifically remember the one about skeletons, which was written like a tabloid magazine for skeletons; talking about the latest in skeleton fashion, what different celebrity skeletons were up to, some ads for skeleton specific products... Wow this was a blast from a past I completely forgot about.

[@MrJangojim]

That's it, I'm making a zine !

[@GregKletsel]

Woo! I'll be the first to buy it!!

[@chimproshi6181]

You took the words right out of my mouth

[@seabirdcj7442]

Same!! I think I'm gonna make some and leave them around my school just for fun lol

[@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245]

I first heard about “zines” through the Swans documentary and other 80’s punk scenes like Sonic Youth, Black Flag and Crass spearheaded and I’m glad to see this culture is still around.

[@kreature6673]

Swans is incredible, by far my favorite band!

[@torichiklis9880]

Doing my senior thesis and I was overwhelmed with the idea of designing an entire book publication for one of my semester investigations. I am absolutely going to make a zine!

[@naeberries]

I think you just gave me a great prompt to get out of my art block. It also incorporates my art too, lately I've been journaling more and drawing less. Looks like so much fun!

[@GregKletsel]

Glad to hear!

[@Camuwun]

I recently got into this hobby and I’m currently working on a zine about my love for Halloween. You really can make a zine about anything and that’s the beauty of it 🖤

[@PatlLawson]

You are just in time for my zine making plans. Poised to make my first, this is liberating, thanks so much for the inspo.

[@astrall6541]

I’ve been looking for an outlet and medium to illustrate my poetry too and this sounds like such an amazing and fun way to do it!

[@checreates]

Only 2:00 in and I’m so touched by your love for art, friend. When you said a zine is a handmade expression of someone’s experience it made me emotional because this is why I want to create more video content ❤❤ thanks for the artist in you encouraging the artist in me!

[@thymintybread]

Ooooh, I was making a lot of those when I was just a smol bean, not even in 4th grade! I was always making up "virus books" amd making wacky diseases, ive made some fake reviews of fake books, a cooking magazine! This was so fun! Im going to make one in my adulthood too now, thank you for reminding me of this :)

[@user-dp7fc8bc4j]

The love you put into your work, this video included, revived something in me. I WILL be making my own zine soon!

[@bigwijdsljla]

I just realized i technically already made a zine when I was in grade 4; I made a bunch of pencil drawing and put them together in a small zine-esc book and then gave them to my friend to colour. Probably never seeing that first ever zine again but I wouldn’t want it another way.

[@InAHollowTree]

To my ‘90s self these zines look ✨fancy✨! I always wanted to make one as a teen back in the day, yet lacked the money even for a bunch of blank paper. I’m happy to see that people’sdesire for zines has come around again; maybe I’ll make one this time. 😄

[@the_rocs_roost]

I'm a beginner KZbinr, but my day job is as a professional designer and editor of magazines and science journals. I've been in publishing either as a writer, designer, or editor for over 20 years, and I can say 100% that I agree with you Greg. Zines are a way that I release my own creative energies in physical form. I'm just starting out on KZbin, where I focus on gaming, which is much removed from publishing, and that's a way I express myself digitally. To anyone reading this comment: do as Greg says and just make a zine! Let go and make a zine, your life will never be the same (in a good way). 😃

[@MissRuthina]

This seems like a really great activity to do with my kids. Could very well make a learning story zine where they record what theyve learned (kinda like a common place book too, i guess). Its amazing how easily you can make mini books with kids too (like, year 2s would be the youngest, at my guess). This has inspired me! Thank you!

[@vampireghouls]

I'm totally gonna do this for my art before becoming an animator and storyteller💕A friend of mines recommend me to take smaller steps so I'm very HAPPY

[@lululeesaarts]

I didn't think these were around anymore. I made them in the 90s. I love them. Thank you

[@huwawej]

i remember making zines as a little kid, mainly with cutouts from fashion magazines and some short stories and drawings about this garfield-style cat (i folded a4 papers on four and folded cat ears on every single one, i'm so sad i don't have any left), now i got into zine culture and planning to make mine soon :3

[@user-tll3n]

Ohhh! That’s cool :D

[@RAGEneratorJSN]

This video fueled the fire in me for publishing my work as a Zine. It will be released hopefully next month. And yes, more zine video please.

[@davidquiroz9118]

I've found this video in such a right time... After 15 years of working for clients I've come to lung for making things just for me and from me, to share, I miss that, and zines feel like great medium for me. Thank you !!

[@cecelia8040]

i never understood the appeal of zines until this video, thanks!

[@lifesblood100]

I made hardcore punk zines through my all teenage years to the early 20s.. now I am 32 and a bit far to the zine-making practice. Your video made me enthusiastic about zines again. I think I need to call the old team (paper, pen, scissors) together again for a last job!

[@im.bad.at.usernames]

Most libraries have printers and copies you can use and use them for free. Also put your zines in those free library boxes that are in neighborhoods!!

[@Annahaha123]

Thank you for giving me an idea for my art class assignment in high school. I’ll make my photo series about making a zine, printing photos and putting them inside it - I love it

[@EmberinTayson]

Greg, yours was the FIRST video I ever saw about Zines, and it was only last month! You have rocked my world! I now have this channel entirely dedicated to Zines and related art. So thank you.

[@DrLazerbeam]

Listening to you makes all the excuses melt faster than I can make them. My life currently is so lacking in art and I've lost faith in doing things for the sake of it which is why I'm interested in zines. See you in a year. Thank you

[@FengolZA]

Discovered this video 2 years after it was posted and very excited to try my hand at making a zine. Sad to see you didn't make any follow up videos about how you make them. I hope that changes in the future.

[@GregKletsel]

Next video is about how I make my zines! Stay tuned :)

[@fuindes_batwings]

Your answer to the "why" of zines is perfect.

[@sophievomberg3260]

I love the way you talk - so relatable and calming, informative and cheerfull. Thank you for the inspiration :)

[@idfungus]

My introduction to zines were the ashcan comics that were created in the 1990s by a lot of famous comic book artists. I go around every convention that I was at and look for the little ashcans on artists tables I miss those. I still go to conventions to sell my books, but this year I’m gonna be adding a convention specific zine to my table Thanks for posting this video I’m inspired

[@fishintheocean-i4g]

what are ashcan comics? Underground comics like Mike Diana's horror comic series? Not against them, those are pretty f***ing cool, just trying to find out what ashcan comics even are.

[@bryanflo4500]

I, too, am curious

[@3DJapan]

I remember them being big in the 90s but honestly I didn't know they existed anymore.

[@jenny.haytch]

whoa... as someone who's been procrastinating making a zine for a couple of weeks now, this was highly inspiring. : D thanks, Greg... glad I found you ♡

[@stockicide]

You can even make a small zine from a single sheet of paper, no staples required! Look up "Eight Page Zine" and you'll find lots of how-to guides.

[@BeaBoop]

My dad has two shelves in his bookstore that’s only zines! I love reading them and I’m now figuring out how to make them because I’m getting into more craft stuff!

[@milo_pox]

Thanks for this video! I work with elementary schoolers and I have been considering teaching them how to make zines as a class project!

[@j-saaan]

bro the intro is doooope lol def gotta make my own zine

[@_Gabyo_]

I think what's great about zines for artists is how it conditions you to make a series of illustrations that are all connected. Either through a story or just a color palette. It's like Inktober. It gives you a direction to make a whole series with illustrations that respond to one another and look cohesive overall. Helps a beginner artist to find their "style" I'd say.

[@jayneofthejungle]

Thank you so much for making this inspiring video. I’ve been trying to write books for 12 years but I’m like scared/chaotic/adhd/it’s not perfect/procrastination…you just made it so easy in my brain. Thank you!!!!! So much. Just fell in love with your lil personality and subscribed. Glad you exist xo 💌

[@babyspice420]

Zines are so special! One of my friends passed, but I still have one of her zines and I’m so happy I do ❤

[@Armadill0h]

Your energy is awesome.

[@DavidGonzalez-tv2lf]

i did a couple of those in my teenage times. There was a couple of science fiction comics made in black and white with a pen on a blank paper photocopied, then blended, stapled and croped, each lettr size page tthen became a little mini book. I even had the bold attemp of make a divulgation comic... about the comic as an artistic medium. fun times. I miss them.

[@theoldpea1]

this video made me realise that I've been making zines or something similar already for a bit now. I have a series of paper zines that I called "mini books"

[@soularijh]

I watched this video some months ago and was super motivated to make a zine! So many ideas. I still haven’t made the zine but today i felt like coming back to this video and i’m super motivated again! Maybe this time…

[@leesvision]

I had never heard of zine before, but I really like the idea. Much love ❤️

[@sunmorales1387]

Hey, this is an amazing video! I've been stuck on the idea of making a fanzine FOR YEARS and after watching this I think I'll finally start :) Subscribed!

[@yumiyumiya]

this is my first time hearing about zines and im really intrigued, can't wait to make my own.

[@priscillacancel1166]

Perfect motivational video to make a zine!! I've been wanting to make one since foreverr. I have some ideas stirring in my head! I teach art to kids on the side and I have an older group of kids and I thought it would be fun to make a lesson on making a zine. I'm going to share this video with them! Woo! Thank youuu!

[@MikeMackie]

Love how passionately you explained Zines. Now i'm looking forward to making my own one day:)

[@debbiedrawsfunny]

This totally got me jazzed about the idea of making zines again….why do I find it so intimidating?! I know I’ll screw up the layout and make a thousand mistakes and be crying in frustration like any new project I get obsessed with mastering. But worth it, right? Anyway… First time on this channel and just subbed😅then got bummed to see you hadn’t uploaded in a couple years😢hope you’ll be coming back, your content is so good!

[@marianehstmarktveter1136]

Nais! I now realized this is what I have been making for years - but then fell out of it for different reasons...

[@beans9288]

Considering making a couple of these for documenting my college projects, and your passion is really convincing! Great video and awesome art!

[@JustAnotherYoYoEr]

No idea how this popped up in my feed BUT this was exciting to watch and motivating

[@n6ghk]

i was a minute in & subbed immediately; i rarely fall in love with content so fast! thank you for this idea, i think i'll be making zines forever ♥♥

[@anon_art6852]

Thanks for introducing me to Zines, can't wait to get creative 😊

[@jessicasanchez9681]

I def did not want to make one before this video but now this is my current project!

[@k.c.simonsen2]

Very cool. I used to make these as a kid all the time just for fun, it was a random arm of my art that I made for myself and a few friends and they were very fun to make. Didn't know there were a bunch out there!

[@BROTERS707]

You got yourself a new fan

[@estelle8508]

Hey Greg, nice video! It lacked a bit of more practical advise (for me) but it's been two years so likely you done that by now. Nice to propagate the zine agenda, it's really cool

[@HaunaniPao]

I have heard of Zines but don't know how to make one. so I am glad to see your inspiration with all the stuff going on in my head. :)

[@Pehmokettu]

I did zines about various Super Nintendo games when I was 12-13 years old but I gave them all away to other kids who were interested about video games. And I don't have any copies because all of them were 100% made with just a pencil, colored pencils and paper. No copy machines used. Perhaps I should try to make one just for myself. 😊

[@HuffGLaDTem]

there is an assignment coming up in my creative writing class where we will all make zines and i’m in love with the concept! can’t wait to make mine

[@flyingumbreons]

Thanks for this video! I love the professionalism of your Zines! They look like a book I would buy from a bookstore. I also love your illustrations. Sometimes when I start a project, I get overwhelmed when I have too many options! When I am told "Do whatever you want" iti is too open for me. I have to give myself limitations, or I will feel like I have too many choices. I love your suggestions! They help me alot. Thanks again.

[@Egg_thing]

I think this might actually finally make me start working on the zines I've been putting off making for years now

[@samconcklin]

I love this explanation!! I'm going to save this and use it as a resource the next time I introduce someone to zines :) You've got great vibes - thank you for this refreshing vid!

[@photoboyjet]

I did a photo-heavy zine back in the day. At the time, I was working in an office that had a really nice laser printer that did excellent photo halftones. During lunch breaks and after hours, I ran off pages. The printer could even handle card stock, so I did the covers too. I made around 100 copies of a 30-page zine free of charge!

[@GregKletsel]

That’s how I made my first zines as well!

[@mikronatorasa5777]

ive never heard of this "zine" but i can see myself get obssesed by it allready they look so fun and creative it awesome!

[@naimahycreations]

I’ve been wanting to make a zine for so long! I got even more inspired when I saw the movie Moxie! It was so cool how she used zines to make a big statement at her school. It’s crazy before I watch this video I was just hanging out with my friend and invited them over so that we could make zines and order food! I’m so excited. Thank you for the amazing video.😌❤️

[@terracedflame4702]

Nothing beats handmade, hand drawn, and hand distributed :)

[@Newtable_Blooms]

These are my type of people ! Yes! Love it!

[@hydrogen-8]

the game EXAPUNKS uses zines. its a programming game about a hacker group, and the zines tell you part of the games setting, the group's ideologies, and crucially instructions for the programming language in the game, and it encourages you to print them out physically :) idk if they count as zines though, or like what the distinction is vs magazines. but the game calls them zines and theyre pretty cool ^^

[@splorngo]

I made my first zine for a design class final, and aside from it being a final, it was the most fun i've had with my art. I haven't had the time to make art for myself lately, but i've been itching to do it again :)

[@psyberdelicxp6042]

I made Zines in high school in the 90s..legend has it they are still floating around the bay area

[@dragonslayer101]

You could say this is amazine experience to have!

[@aubreypiepaints7986]

Your passion is infectious

[@MiaNWC]

I loved this video! I've made a couple of zines before but always feel like they're not good enough, but this has motivated me :) I hope you eventually make your zine process video you mentioned! 😄

[@vansh7724]

Why am I being introduced to this concept today ?

[@wyrmghost]

I started participating in collaborative fan zines last year and honestly those are so fun and motivating

[@AnnaTalks-videos]

This is so helpful! I’m doing my final undergrad major project about zines, and will make one in the end. This has got me excited!

[@MadlyinLovewithJesus-1953]

Oh gosh. I used to make zines! Back in the early '90s I made a zine called AVID -- and I can't even remember what its theme was or what I wrote! (It was all verbal.) Later I made one that lasted a bit longer called EAT IT RAW when I was eating all uncooked vegan food. It was a lot of fun. I especially liked looking through a little zine catalog and picking out zines to order about a wild variety of topics. Does such a catalog exist anymore that you know of? I've been out of the zine world for, oh gosh, at least 27 years!

[@mascotwithadinosaur9353]

Aw, I used to make those when I was little! Def gonna do again

[@murphybartle592]

you have convinced me, ima make some zines

[@1amb1]

cool stuff! plus, the word itself is so fun to say 😂

[@msd5808]

A friend of mine liked Babysue when we were teens. That one was fun.

[@ElliottsCreations]

This actually seems really fun! Thank you for introducing me to this. Much love.