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- Your Zine Cover Might Be the Problem
Today I want to talk about why the cover of a zine matters so much.
If you’re currently making a zine — or planning to make one — this should be useful.
Why “Bad” Photos Aren’t Actually Bad
I just published a new video.
In a world where AI can easily generate perfect images, I talk about what realness in photography actually means today. Give it a watch.
If the video resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the YouTube comments. Your comments mean a lot to me and keep me motivated!
Get New Inspiration for Portrait Photography
Kazz’s latest zine ☆DORIMINPA☆ – JUKEBOX issue #5, which was previously sold out, is now back in stock in limited quantities.
This photo zine combines women with playground equipment commonly found in Japanese parks, creating a unique visual world that will surely inspire your own portrait photography.
Shipping is free worldwide — don’t miss it.
Why You Should Start with the Zine Cover — Not the Inside
Recently I had a booth at ZINE FEST TOKYO. The event only lasted five hours, but many visitors purchased zines from FAR EAST DARKROOM.
Right before buying, I overheard one visitor say:
“Which zine should I choose? They’re all great… but which one would I want to hang in my room?”
I completely understood that feeling.
Even before I started photography, I loved zine culture and collected many zines myself.
Of course the content of a zine matters.
But what first sparks the desire to buy a zine is the cover.
Yet many people start by planning the content, designing layouts in Canva or InDesign, and only create the cover at the very end.
If you want people to actually pick up your zine, that approach is wrong.
Start with the cover.
It’s the same as a YouTube thumbnail or a blog title.
If a video thumbnail isn’t interesting, you simply won’t click on it. No matter how much effort went into the video itself, if the thumbnail is weak, nobody watches.
Zines are the same.
Your cover needs to capture attention immediately.
Now imagine the psychology of a zine buyer.
Unlike a regular book, zines carry the joy of discovery.
It’s the feeling of finding something independent — something you didn’t expect to come across.
Something that most people still don’t know about.
Some people share their zines on social media, some don’t. But deep down, many zine buyers want to show off their discovery.
At least I do. When I find an amazing zine, I want to tell everyone.
But if the cover design is weak, that excitement disappears.
Don’t lose the opportunity to have people pick up your zine — or share it — simply because you were lazy with the cover.
If you’re making a zine right now, start working on the cover design today.
And if you’ve already made one, look at it again and ask yourself honestly:
Does this cover actually grab attention?
Is it something people would be proud to show others?
Also, choose the right paper for your cover.
I’ve written about zine cover design and paper choices before, so check out that article as well.
FAR EAST DARKROOM’s First Exhibition in Osaka
From March 19–24, FAR EAST DARKROOM will hold its first exhibition in Osaka, at Gallery F16.
Photographers exhibiting:
Yusuke Nagata, YOUNG HAMA, and Kazz Suzuki
Under the theme “DARKROOM IN USE,” we’ll be showing darkroom prints by the three of us. If you’re in Osaka — or visiting — please come by. Details here.
🦖 Come hang out with me on Instagram → @_nuts.tokyo_
🪐 New videos on zines & photography up on YouTube
🧃 Curious about Japanese and Asian zines? Visit FAR EAST DARKROOM.
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