Plan a Small-Print Zine or Newsletter from a Content Outline

Why this works

A zine rewards planning. Folding an A4 sheet into eight pages forces you to choose what matters. A free model can help sort your ideas into a page sequence that works on paper.

Step by step

1. Dump your ideasWrite every idea on a separate line, even weak ones.
2. Group themAsk for four to six themes, then choose the ones with the most material.
3. Generate the page planUse the prompt below for an eight-page outline with a headline and one image idea per page.
4. Sketch the foldsDraw the page plan on a folded sheet to check which pages face each other.
5. Print a test copyPrint one copy and read it aloud before you make the run.

Copy-paste prompt

Create an eight-page outline for a printed A4 zine, folded into eight panels. For each page give: a headline, the main text in no more than 60 words, and one image or illustration idea. Put the cover on page 1 and the back cover on page 8. Use these themes: {themes}.

Check your result

• Page order makes sense when folded
• Images are yours or appropriately licensed
• A printed test copy was read aloud

Pitfalls to avoid

• Use only images you have rights to; check licences before you print.
• Keep personal details out of community publications unless the people have agreed.