Turn a single sheet of paper into a mini magazine that’s entirely your own. This simple 9-step DIY zine is the perfect mindful craft for collaging photos, writing about your holidays, doodling comics or sharing your thoughts – then trading with friends.
A zine (short for ‘magazine’) is a small, self-made publication that lets you express anything you like – your favourite quotes, holiday memories, doodles, gratitude lists or random thoughts. The best part? You can make one from a single sheet of paper, no staples required. Follow the steps below to fold, cut and create your very own mini mag.
MATERIALS NEEDED
- 1 sheet of A4 paper (plain, patterned, or get your zine template here)
- Scissors
- Pens, pencils, textas or paints
- Optional: photos, magazine cut-outs, stickers, washi tape or glue for collaging
HOW TO MAKE A MINI ZINE STEP BY STEP
1 FOLD YOUR PAPER IN HALF VERTICALLY
Using page 65 (for a templated version) or 67 (for your own design), fold your piece of paper in half vertically – hotdog style.
2 FOLD IT IN HALF HORIZONTALLY
Now fold the paper in half horizontally – hamburger style.
3 FOLD THE SHORTER SIDES TO THE CENTRE
Unfold the last fold you made, then take one of the shorter sides and fold it in to meet the middle crease. Repeat on the opposite side.
4 UNFOLD AND RE-FOLD IN HALF
Unfold the paper completely and then re-fold it in half horizontally (hamburger style).
5 CUT ALONG THE CENTRE CREASE
Cut along the centre crease where indicated by the red dotted line. Only cut up to where the perpendicular fold meets the dotted line (marked by the red dot).
6 OPEN OUT THE PAPER
Open your zine by pulling the corners outwards from where you just cut, then fold the paper in half again.
7 FORM THE PAGES
Bring the inner corners together to form the pages of your mini magazine.
8 FOLD DOWN EACH PAGE
Fold down each page neatly to create your finished zine.
9 GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR ZINE
Time to get creative! Fill your pages: collage photos of your friends, write about your holidays, doodle comics, or share your thoughts. Then trade zines with your friends and show off your creations on Instagram @teenbreatheau.
Your mini zine is complete! Share it with us on socials @teenbreatheau
This activity was originally published in Issue 49. You can get this issue here to enjoy more mindful inspiration.
