Fold Press
Open Editor

Follow these instructions to print and assemble your zine at home. Most home printers can handle these layouts with the right settings.

Paper Requirements

Recommended Paper

  • • 80-100 lb text weight paper (20-28 lb bond)
  • • Matte or satin finish works best
  • • Ensure your paper is not too thick or too thin
  • • Test on a single sheet first

Paper to Avoid

  • • Cardstock (too thick for most home printers)
  • • Extremely lightweight paper (<60 lb)
  • • Glossy photo paper (can jam in duplex mode)
  • • Heavily textured paper

Printer Settings

Critical Settings

  1. 1
    Print on Both Sides (Duplex)

    Enable double-sided printing in your printer preferences. This is essential for the fold-and-stack assembly method.

  2. 2
    Short Edge Binding

    When prompted for binding edge, select “short edge.” This ensures pages flip correctly like a book.

  3. 3
    No Scaling / 100%

    Set scaling to “100%” or “actual size.” Do not “fit to page.”

  4. 4
    Plain Paper Mode

    Select “plain paper“ in your media type settings for best results with standard printer paper.

Assembly Instructions

8-Page Mini Zine (Letter Size)

  1. 1. Print all pages double-sided with short edge binding.
  2. 2. Stack the pages in order (they should already be correctly ordered by our PDF).
  3. 3. Fold the entire stack in half lengthwise (hot dog fold).
  4. 4. Staple or stitch along the folded edge.
  5. 5. Trim the open edges if desired for a clean finish.

16-Page Zine (Letter Size)

  1. 1. Print all pages double-sided with short edge binding.
  2. 2. Divide into signatures of 4 pages each (pages 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16).
  3. 3. Stack signatures on top of each other, aligning all edges.
  4. 4. Fold the entire stack in half lengthwise.
  5. 5. Staple or stitch through all layers along the folded edge.
  6. 6. Open to center and flatten the fold to complete.

Tools You May Need

Essential

  • • Paper cutter or craft knife
  • • Ruler
  • • Bone folder (for crisp folds)

Optional

  • • Book binding needle
  • • Wax thread or linen thread
  • • Awl (for pre-punching holes)

Helpful

  • • Self-healing cutting mat
  • • Weights (to hold pages flat)
  • • Eraser (for removing pencil marks)

Troubleshooting

Pages are coming out in wrong order
Our PDF is already impositioned for correct order. Make sure your printer isn't rearranging pages. Disable any “page ordering“ or “booklet printing“ features.
Paper is jamming
Try lighter paper or enable “manual feed“ to have more control. Make sure the paper path is clear.
Ink is smudging
Allow pages to dry fully before handling. Reduce ink density in printer settings or use a matte paper.
Fold isn't centering
Use a bone folder and ruler. Score the fold line first, then crease firmly.

Ready to create your zine?

Design your zine online and export as a print-ready PDF.