Buyer’s guides · for people who make things
Guides
The press has opinions about tools. Honest comparisons of where to print, what to design with, where to learn, and how to sell — for zinesters, illustrators and self-publishers. We only point to things we would actually use, and we say how we review.
How to Make a Zine in 2026
From the idea to the printed, sellable object: concept, format, layout tool, print-ready PDF, printer and shop — the whole path, honestly.
Read the full guide →The Best Writing & Editing Tools for Self-Publishers
Drafting, editing and typesetting a book without a publisher behind you: Scrivener, Atticus, Vellum, Grammarly, ProWritingAid and Hemingway, weighed.
The Best Newsletter Platforms for Independent Publishers
Substack, Ghost, Kit, beehiiv, MailerLite and Buttondown — where to build a readership you actually own, with the fees and lock-ins spelled out.
The Best Portfolio Website Builders for Designers & Artists
Squarespace, Webflow, Wix, Format, Cargo and Carrd compared for showing — and selling — design work, without a developer on retainer.
The Best Print-on-Demand Services for Zines & Art Books
Six print-on-demand presses compared for small-run zines, photo books and art books — on quality, formats, minimums and price.
The Best AI Tools for Generative Art & Image Books
The image and design tools worth paying for if you make generative, AI-assisted publications — compared on control, licensing and output.
The Best Online Courses for Book & Editorial Design
Where to actually learn typography, layout and book design online — Domestika, Skillshare, MasterClass and Coursera, compared honestly.
The Best Software to Design a Zine
From free and open-source to industry standard — the page-layout tools for making a zine, and which one fits how you work.
The Best Marketplaces for Fonts, Templates & Design Assets
Where to buy (or subscribe to) fonts, templates, mockups and graphics without licensing headaches — four marketplaces, weighed.
Where to Sell Your Zines & Art Books Online
Etsy, your own Shopify, Big Cartel or Gumroad — the realistic options for selling zines and print, with fees and trade-offs.