Creating zines, or small-circulation self-published works, has long been a medium for artists and writers to express their creativity. While Adobe programs are often used in the creation process, there are many alternatives available that cater to different needs and budgets. Here are some of them:
- Inkscape: This open-source vector graphics editor is a great tool for designing and editing zine pages. It’s free to use and offers a range of features similar to Adobe Illustrator.
- Scribus: This is a free and open-source desktop publishing application. Scribus is ideal for creating magazine-style layouts, making it a good choice for zine creators.
- Canva: This popular online design tool is known for its user-friendly interface and vast library of templates, images, and fonts. It’s a great option for creating individual pages of a zine.
- Microsoft Publisher: Part of the Microsoft Office Suite, Publisher is a user-friendly desktop publishing software that offers a range of page layout and design options.
- Pages: Available on Apple devices, Pages is a word processing software that also allows for creative page layouts. It’s a good choice for those who prefer to work on an iPad or Mac.
- Affinity Publisher: This is a professional desktop publishing software that rivals Adobe InDesign. It’s not free, but it’s considerably cheaper.
- Keynote: Originally designed for presentations, Apple’s Keynote can also be used for designing zines. It’s free and offers a range of design tools.
- Microsoft Word: While primarily a word processing software, Word also offers various formatting and design options that can be used for creating simple zines.
- Electric Zine Maker: This is a printshop and art tool for making zines. It offers several formats and is ‘pay what you want’, making it accessible for all.
- Swift Publisher: A desktop publishing software for Mac, Swift Publisher offers page templates and design options. It’s not free but it’s cheaper than Adobe products.
- Procreate: Mostly used on tablets, Procreate is great for creating artwork for zines. It’s not free, but it’s a one-time purchase.
Each of these tools has its own strengths and caters to different needs, so it’s worth trying out a few to see which one works best for your zine creation process.
