I Started Making Mini Zines (and How You Can Make One Too)

I recently learned how to make mini zines, and woah it unlocked something in my brain. This is what it yelled: combine your photoshop and graphic design skills with traditional zine making!

This post is a behind-the-scenes look at:

• why I started making mini zines
• how I use them with my ATC journaling cards
• and how you can make your own, even if you’re brand new to zines

What Are ATC Journaling Cards?

ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) are small-format art pieces, usually 2.5 x 3.5 inches that work beautifully for collage, intuitive art, and low-pressure creativity.

I love them because:

• they’re fast to make
• they don’t demand perfection
• they let you experiment without commitment

I’ve made a lot of ATCs over time. And then I ran into a problem. Which is actually a common problem of mine since I tend to make a lot of things...

The Problem

Some ATCs ended up:

• tucked into random journals
• misplaced in drawers
• damaged or lost (thanks to my cat)

That’s when the idea of a mini zine clicked. The gears started spinning in my head. Scan the cards using your scanner and make them into a booklet.

Making Templates (This is my life!)

I make templates for practically everything I do because I know I'm gonna use it in some way or another later. That’s just how my brain works and also how I'm motivated to create daily, getting the boring execution stuff out of the way.

After scanning my cards, testing mini zine folding instructions, I tweaked:

• spacing
• margins
• background patterns
• layout consistency

I’ve been a graphic designer for years, so I naturally worked in Photoshop using smart objects but this same concept works in Canva too (frames I think they are called).

Want to Try Making a Mini Zine Yourself?

If you’re curious, here are a few ways you can jump right in:

✦ Free Option

I’ve included a blank landscape 11" x 8.5" JPG version you can download that doesn't require any photoshop or digital steps. You can draw or decorate it any way you want.

👉 You can download it here.

To make it? Its easy, there's so many youtube tutorials out there already but the gist of it is:

1. fold along all the lines
2. cut down the center
3. press both sides inward to form an “X” shape
4. fold into a booklet

To get your paper folds cleaner I recommend using a bone folder.

✦ Download Predesigned Blank Printable Zines

These are the same format as the free version, but with my own textures and backgrounds already included.

I’ll link those here in my Etsy shop for anyone who is interested.

✦ But I want to PRINT on mine!

I don't provide my PSD or canva templates, mainly because I've had issues of theft in the past so what you can do is grab the free template above, lower the opacity, and place your designs on top of the layer. When you're ready to print just delete the layer.

The Possibilities Are Endless

If you make a mini zine after reading this, I’d love for you to just…notice how it feels. Just whether it feels like something you’d want to return to.

That’s usually the sign you’re onto something ✨