Hi, we’re Irrelevant Press. We are four creative queers who have been making together for over six years. Irrelevant Press is based out of Oakland, CA and Brooklyn, NY. Our collective passion is helping first-timers make their first ! We love to see new art and writing, and assist in sharing it with others. We are in the zine world because we enjoy the collaborative process and have made so many great friends in the community along the way.

What is a Zine?

Photo: ​https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zine

Zines in History

Zines have been used for many years as a cheap and DIY way to distribute information.

● 1930s-1940s: science fiction fanzines became popular Zines were used to share ideas and collaborate on writing (in 1944 the Xerox copy machine was invented!)

Photo: ​https://www.wired.com/2015/02/amazing-zines-kicked-geek-fandom

● 1960s-1970s: punk zines \m/ Do-it-yourself, counterculture, lit, and the rock n roll scenes distributed political and music zines within their communities.

Photo: https://www.wussu.com/zines/

● 1980s-1990s: feminist and queer zines Publications focused on ​politics, activism, representation, riotgrrl, and revolution

Photo: F​ ales Library NYU / Feminist Press. https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2013/jun/30/punk-music

● 2000s: digital zines With the rise of the web, in addition to distributing work in print, artists moved some work to digital distributing. Some of our favorites feature content on ​accessibility, community building and organizing, poetry, and the internet

Photo: ​https://www.alliedmedia.org/consentful-tech-project

Zine-Making

Photo: ​https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/underwood-archives A woman uses a ditto machine, a mimeograph, to duplicate writing

Common Methods

● Xerox or (copy machines at in-homes or stores like Kinkos or FedEx) ● Risograph printing (a recent resurgence of a mimeograph-style 1-color copier using soy based ink and a stencil)

The Classic Zine

● 5.5’’ x 8.5’’ (a sheet of standard 11” x 8.5” folded in half) ● Saddle-stitched (stapled in the middle of the fold)

The Accordion Folded Zine

● Folded in a zig zag ● 1 piece of paper ● No binding ● Works at any scale/size ● Great for instructionals/step-by-steps or 2 topics (front and back)

Photo: h​ ttps://stephanievanicek.com/filter/comics/How-To-Zine

8-Fold Zine

● 1 piece of paper ● No binding ● Mini (a.k.a cute) ● Secret poster

Activity

Create your very own zine using only a single sheet of paper.

Required Supplies

● 1 piece of paper (preferably 8.5” x 11” but can really be any size) ● Scissors or blade (otherwise you’re going to have to lick and rip!) ● A computer or pen/pencil to create your art! ● A scanner or copier (zines were meant to be distributed! a photo will definitely work while you are in quarantine)

Some Topic Ideas (A great way to start is to think about having 8 panels!)

● List some activities you’ve enjoyed while sheltering-in-place ● A recipe you’d like a share ● A story you would like to remember ● Draw your friends! Or things you like about your friends!

The Steps

● Take your sheet of paper and fold it hamburger-style, now unfold it (this part is for creating creases) ● Now that your sheet is open again, fold it hotdog-style now, then unfold ● Hold your open sheet of paper landscape (long-ways) and fold in the left edge to the center fold, then the right edge to the center fold (close the doors!) ● Open your piece of paper up one last time, you are now done creasing! ● Now, fold your paper hamburger again and get your scissors! ● Carefully cut from your folded edge along the middle crease to the vertical crease (scroll down for the illustration if you’re confused!) ● You did it! Alright, here comes the hard part: open your sheet, now with your slit, and fold it hotdog. Holding your sheet with both hands, push gently to tent the middle panels and close the booklet (here’s a little visual below)

● You’re done, you’ve constructed your zine! Now for the fun part of making it your very own. Don’t forget, once your panels are all drawn you can open your sheet flat again and draw even more on the inside. The backside is often used and a related poster. ● Last but not least: share your work! No zine is too small or too simple to go out into the world, don’t talk yourself out of it, it is often the best part! If you would like to share with us our email is [email protected]​ or find us on Instagram @​ irrelevantpress ● Thank you so very much for making a zine with us!

Psst, did you know you can turn your zine landscape (vs. portrait) and have the pages open top to bottom instead of left to right?!

Are you a visual learner? Check out this great illustration below:

Illustration: Johanna Kindvall (h​ ttps://www.instagram.com/johannakindvall/​)

Xo ip

Mollie, Holly, Sarah and Lizz