A zine (an abbreviation of fanzine or magazine) is most commonly a small circulation, self-published work of original or appropriated texts and images usually reproduced via photocopier. A popular definition includes that circulation must be one thousand or fewer, although in practice the majority are produced in editions of fewer than one hundred, and profit is not the primary intent of publication. They are informed by a DIY ethos and are written in a variety of formats, from desktop published text to comics to handwritten text.
Print remains the most popular zine format, although there is no one format for zines. There are not set materials and aesthetics to adhere to when creating a zine publication - the entire ethos of zine making is freedom and self-expression without the need for corporate printing and consumerist marketing. Topics covered are broad, including fanfiction, politics, poetry, art and design, ephemera, personal journals, social theory, riot grrrl and intersectional feminism, and sometimes content far enough outside of the mainstream to be prohibited or excluded by the more traditional media. The time and materials necessary to create a zine are seldom matched by revenue from sale of zines. Small circulation zines are often not explicitly copyrighted and there is a strong belief among many zine creators that the material within should be freely distributed. In recent years, a number of small zine publications have risen to prominence or professional status and have found a wider distribution though bookstores or online sale.
Zines among these include The Archives, Bust, Birkensnake, and The Miscreant.
The Archives - Claudio Pogo
Birkensnake
Bust
The Miscreant
Over the years, many of the more popular zines have expanded into bigger, glossy magazine type publications, not out of the want and need for money, but as an attempt to bring minority groups and sidelined conversations into the mainstream. Unfortunately, this change from a photocopied zine into a more consumable magazine brings the printed publication back into the realms of luxury, increasing the price of both production and consumption. However, like many mainstream newspapers and magazine, these larger publications have also diversified into digital and online content also, allowing them to reach a far wider audience while still putting out a larger volume and range of content.
The most notable example of this diversification is Dazed. The formerly know Dazed and Confused zine started out as as a black and white poster zine, but quickly grew into a full colour magazine publication. They are now better known for their website Dazed Digital, a digital strand of the publication delivering style news and social issues, that amasses an audience of millions every single day
Dazed Magazine A/W '15
Another example is Bust magazine, who also started as a simple photocopied zine with a small audience. The now international publication and accompanying website deals with women's rights, sexuality, and health.
Despite the plethora of professional and corporate publications available, smaller, self-published zines can still break down the barriers of traditional media content, allowing any and all topics of conversation to be discussed without the fear of censorship. They provide a new, cheap and easily accessible platform and are hugely important platform for minority and social groups that do not fit the societal norms to voice opinions, share ideas, and communicate across a huge variety of topics.