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Zine Printing
Whatever your reason for printing a zine, QinPrinting is here to help make your vision a reality. As champions of independent creators, we offer zine printing services at 40% less than your local print shop—while delivering superior quality. Enjoy full customization with any paper, binding method, or cover surface treatment you choose. With 25 years of experience printing zines of all kinds, our dedicated team, cutting-edge technology, and efficient protocols have made us one of the world’s leading independent zine printers.
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Zine Instant Quote
Zine Printing Prices
The cost to print your zine depends on several factors, including paper type, cover surface treatments, page count, and the quantity you need. For a quick estimate, take a look at our at-a-glance price charts below.
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16pp + 4pp | $1.58 each $158 total |
$0.42 each $211 total |
$0.26 each $262 total |
$0.18 each $354 total |
$0.14 each $709 total |
$0.12 each $1,172 total |
| 32pp + 4pp | $2.02 each $202 total |
$0.55 each $276 total |
$0.35 each $345 total |
$0.25 each $496 total |
$0.20 each $1,006 total |
$0.18 each $1,803 total |
| 48pp + 4pp | $2.60 each $260 total |
$0.72 each $362 total |
$0.47 each $467 total |
$0.34 each $670 total |
$0.28 each $1,375 total |
$0.25 each $2,462 total |
- Cover: 200 gsm / 74 lb coated cover paper with matte lamination
- Interior: 105 gsm / 71 lb coated text paper, full color printing
- Please note that all prices are EXW our facility and do not include shipping costs.
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16pp + 4pp | $2.12 each $212 total |
$0.60 each $298 total |
$0.37 each $371 total |
$0.28 each $555 total |
$0.23 each $1,158 total |
$0.21 each $2,117 total |
| 48pp + 4pp | $4.20 each $420 total |
$1.21 each $604 total |
$0.78 each $777 total |
$0.59 each $1,174 total |
$0.49 each $2,466 total |
$0.46 each $4,568 total |
| 64pp + 4pp | $5.35 each $535 total |
$1.53 each $765 total |
$0.99 each $988 total |
$0.75 each $1,502 total |
$0.63 each $3,159 total |
$0.59 each $5,913 total |
| 96pp + 4pp | $7.41 each $741 total |
$2.15 each $1,076 total |
$1.40 each $1,396 total |
$1.06 each $2,126 total |
$0.90 each $4,487 total |
$0.84 each $8,404 total |
- Cover: 250 gsm / 92 lb coated cover paper with matte lamination
- Interior: 128 gsm / 87 lb coated text paper
- Please note that all prices are EXW our facility and do not include shipping costs.
Zine Paper Options
While most zines contain both images and text, the trend in contemporary design is toward more photography and less text. In most cases, you’ll need to pick paper that gives sharp photo reproduction and clear text. We recommend gloss or matte text paper for vibrant, faithful color, perfect contrast, and fine detail. If you want your zine to reflect eco-friendliness and a natural aesthetic, you can opt for uncoated paper.
Paperback Cover Paper
- 200 gsm / 74 lb gloss cover paper
- 250 gsm / 92 lb gloss cover paper
- 300 gsm / 111 lb gloss cover paper
- 350 gsm / 129 lb gloss cover paper
- 200 gsm / 74 lb matte cover paper
- 250 gsm / 92 lb matte cover paper
- 300 gsm / 111 lb matte cover paper
Interior Paper
- 80 gsm / 54 lb coated text paper
- 105 gsm / 71 lb coated text paper
- 128 gsm / 86 lb coated text paper
- 157 gsm / 106 lb coated text paper
- 200 gsm / 135 lb coated text paper
- 80 gsm / 54 lb uncoated text paper
- 100 gsm / 68 lb uncoated text paper
- 120 gsm / 81 lb uncoated text paper
To make things easier, you can download a zine cover template to check the spine thickness according to different paper types and page amounts here.
Zine Bindings
While you can cut costs by choosing a “self-cover” approach, the binding often depends on genre, page count, and readership preferences—not just your budget. The most popular options for zines are saddle stitching and perfect binding. Recently, single sewn binding has also gained popularity for its traditional appeal.
This means that we compile your zine from folded sheets stacked inside each other, often with a cover sheet of glossy art paper, and then stapled down the curved edge. Saddle stitch is only possible with a page count divisible by four, up to a maximum of 64 pages. But to make sure the zine is neat and lies flat, we recommend a limit of 48 pages or fewer for this style of binding.
This is the binding we use for paperback books, too. We collate the interior pages into a block, glue them together and then glue the lot into a wrap-around cover made of heavier art paper or lightweight card stock. This is definitely the best option for binding zines which have 48 pages or more or have art and photography on every page.
Singer sewn binding is very similar to saddle-stitch binding, but it uses threads instead of staples. The page count must still be divisible by four, and the maximum recommended page count for singer sewn binding is 80 pages.
Why Choose QinPrinting to Print Your Zine
QinPrinting offers affordable, high-quality printing with custom options and expert support for your zine.
High-Quality Printing
25+ years of experience ensuring vibrant, detailed prints.
Exceptional Customer Support
Friendly and professional assistance throughout the process.
Affordable Pricing
High-quality results at competitive prices.
Custom Options
Choose from various paper stocks, finishes, and sizes.
QinPrinting Rated Excellent for Zine Printing
From start to finish, Jane was incredibly informative and helpful.
Also great communication.
My books arrived, and are beautiful!
Jane was prompt and had GREAT attention to detail were exceptional. Most of my emails were answered within 24 hours, and Jane went above and beyond by sending pictures, samples, and clear explanations to help me understand all the technical aspects of book printing. She even reviewed my proofs thoroughly and pointed out a few important adjustments I needed to make to my PDF files.
Shipping was faster than expected, and when I compared the final copies from Qin Printing with those from IngramSpark, Qin’s quality was far superior. The materials looked more polished; paper is higher quality, and the print was crisper. Each book was carefully wrapped.
I ended up saving 75% of my printing budget, and communicating in English was no issue at all. It felt like Jane cared about the project as much as I did. I can’t recommend her and Qin Printing enough. Thank you so much for helping bring my book to life!
FAQs
5.5″ × 8.5″ and 8.5″ × 11″ are the most common zine sizes—both of which are cost-effective. If you need a different size, we can also print your zine in any custom dimensions.
Feel free to share your artwork with us through email, Sprend, or WeTransfer to [email protected]. Or send us a share link via Dropbox or Google Drive.
No. Website images are generally low resolution. For high-quality booklet printing, images or photos should be at least 300 dpi to ensure clear, crisp results.
For printing purposes, we require artwork in high-resolution PDF format, which includes 0.125 inches / 3 mm bleed.
Offset printing uses the CMYK color space.
You can get acquainted with our quality, products, and paper stocks by ordering a sample pack from here.
Let's Talk!
If you’re a fan club, a radical thinker, a non-profit, or an independent creative artist, writer, poet, musician or dreamer wanting to print a zine with a company that’s genuinely sympathetic and wants to help you make a thing of beauty without breaking the bank, we should talk. Get in touch today to chat through your needs or to ask for a no-obligation quote. We can’t wait to help you make your zine printing project into a dream come true!
