🚀 5 Zine Cover Inspirations You Won't See at Bookstores

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: a zine doesn’t have to play by the rules of a regular book. But let’s be honest—sometimes we can’t help but make something that still feels like a book.

So what makes a zine feel like a zine—something that breaks free from the mold?

In this edition, I’m sharing 5 zines from my collection that made me stop and think, “Why didn’t I think of that?!” These are covers that stand out, break the ordinary, and remind you what a zine can really be.

🚨 News: Contact Sheet Prints Are Back!

I’ve made a lot of prints and zines this year, but one of my personal favorites has to be these contact sheet prints. And good news: these contact sheet prints that were previously available for a limited time are back on sale!
Don’t miss your chance to grab one.

🚀 5 Zine Cover Inspirations You Won't See at Bookstores

1st Inspiration: MIDNIGHT DIARIES by KYOSEI Yoshiike

This zine was made by my friend Kyosei, who I’ve also interviewed on my YouTube channel. If you’re curious, definitely check it out!

Now, about MIDNIGHT DIARIES—as you can see, the zine is wrapped in a net. To get to the zine, you have to peel the net off, almost like you’re removing a woman’s stocking. There’s a single tear in the net, which gives it a slightly provocative feel.

You’d never see a design like this in a bookstore, would you?

2nd Inspiration: STEAL THIS ZINE! by KYOSEI Yoshiike

Here’s another one by Kyosei. This zine comes in a Ziploc bag, and on the back cover, there’s a custom-designed receipt printed on it. It’s such a unique and clever piece.

Honestly, I never would’ve thought of putting a zine in a Ziploc bag until I saw his work. It’s a reminder that even the things lying around you can be part of your zine. It’s one of those zines that really inspires you to think outside the box.

3rd Inspiration: 7:30 by Sarasa Takahashi

The third one is 7:30 by Sarasa Takahashi. I came across this zine at a zine event, and when I first saw it, I thought it came in some kind of vinyl envelope.

But when I bought it and tried to check out the zine, I realized that “envelope” was actually just a clear plastic folder. It was an A4-sized clear folder folded in half, perfectly fitting the A5-sized zine inside. I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, I didn’t know you could use a clear folder like this!”

What’s even cooler is that the zine comes with clear folders in different colors, so you can choose your favorite one. I thought that was such a fun and clever touch!

4th Inspiration: confusing you? by Sorami

Some of you might already know this one—it’s “confusing you?”, a zine we carry at FAR EAST DARKROOM, which I run. Sorami, who made this zine, is just 18, and this is her very first zine.

Each copy is handmade, and you can really feel it. The cover features the title clipped or stapled on, photos glued down with what looks like a glue gun, and the whole zine itself is bound together with thick thread. It’s full of that raw, handmade charm.

Sure, getting a perfectly printed zine back from a printing company is great, but there’s something special about taking the time to craft each one by hand like this.

She shared her thoughts behind creating this zine, as well as the techniques she used, in an interview on my YouTube channel. Definitely check it out!

5th Inspiration: Hokkaido 43°23'07"N, 145°49'03"E by Yusuke Nagata

The last zine I want to share is one I made myself: Hokkaido 43°23'07"N, 145°49'03"E.
I used tracing paper for the cover, and when I shared a reel on Instagram showing the process, it unexpectedly got over 200,000 views—pretty wild!

The idea for this design came from the photo on the cover.
I shot it in Nemuro, a city located at the easternmost point of Japan's mainland. It’s an abandoned observation facility that fell into ruin due to the pandemic.

Since it’s the easternmost point, I wanted to catch the first sunrise in Japan, so I went there early in the morning. But instead of the sunrise, I was greeted by a thick fog—no sun, just mist! lol

Still, the way the fog wrapped around the ruins felt so otherworldly and beautiful.
I wanted to capture that misty feeling in the zine itself, and that’s when I thought of using tracing paper. I think the translucent texture of the paper really recreates the atmosphere of that fog.

Sorami's zine “confusing you?” and my Hokkaido zine are still available at FAR EAST DARKROOM. Check them out!

🕺 See You Again Next Tuesday

That’s it for this week’s edition.

Thanks so much for reading all the way through! If you found this helpful, feel free to share it using the social buttons below. You can also hit “like” or leave a comment; I’d love to hear your thoughts!

See you again next Tuesday!