Portfolio

Zine Crawl

Project Year
  • 2026
Skills
  • Event Planning
  • Design
  • Crafting

Challenge

Hot Glue Creux (HGC), an exciting crafting experience event coordinator for adults in the West Michigan area, approached Brew Press (BP) and I to put on and host a zine event together. Dubbed "Zine Crawl," the event guided participants on how to create and develop their own zines.

Approach

Brew Press and I created several themed zine templates with coordinating sticker sheets as well as a charm bar for a braided zine holder inspired by the work of Computer Bug Studios. With the help HGC, a full bar of magazines, comics and crafting supplies along with a Brew Press stationary swag bag were provided to guests. The event included 3 "crawl" locations, at different local Michigan boutiques and one final social stop at the world's greatest comic shop, Vault of Midnight, a local supporter of small publishing, micro-press and the zine scene.

Zine Crawl Poster
Simulated Risograph & Stamp Texture on Final Poster

Poster Design

The event poster was a collaboration between Brew Press and myself. Brew Press created the focal point drawing of the BP coffee cup "Brew" mascot and HGC's Kewpie/Sonny Angel-inspired cupid joining hands together. I developed the rest of the poster. This included the overall composition, cloud illustration, textural modification, typography and coloring. I wanted to simulate a risograph and rough stamped appearance by pushing the ultramarine blue, hot pinks and reds as far as what could be done on an at-home printer setup. Masking techniques with brushes were utilized to create the slightly weathered appearance. The posters were printed on textured paper acquired through donated or discarded paper from local paper mills.

Getting the Word Out

Zine Crawl posters were placed around local coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores and boutiques. Additionally, half-page flyers were printed and shared with Zine Crawl partner shops.

Jess, Head Crafter at Hot Glue Creux, helped to connect us and share our event story through local press at Wood TV8.

Zine Crawl Event featured on Local News at WOOD TV8
Hand-Cut & Bound Notebooks for Zine Crawl Guests by Brew Press
Aero Frutiger & RPG-Themed Sticker Sheets

Zine Kit

All Zine Crawl participants received a goody bag filled with handmade and embossed notebooks by Brew Press with various zine templates and sticker sheets for the event. Themes included Y2K Aero Frutiger throwbacks to retro 8-bit RPG-inspired sticker sheets.

Zine Kit for Guests
Zinesters at Rebel Nell
Zine Crawl Station at Rebel Nell

Event & Partners

Our shop partners included Oh, Hello Co. Paper & Gifts, Rebel Nell and Vault of Midnight. Brew Press and I divided the group in half, so we each manned a station with differing crafting focus for the zines, converging both groups toward the end of the event with a snack social kindly sponsored by Vault of Midnight.

Vault of Midnight is Earth's finest comic book shop with locations in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Each location curates a stellar selection of zines and small press books, taking extra care to stock the works of Michigan zinesters and creatives.

Rebel Nell is a social enterprise that provides employment, equitable access, and holistic support to women navigating barriers to work—whether due to housing insecurity, incarceration, displacement, disability, or other systemic obstacles.

Oh Hello Co. Paper & Gifts is a gift store in downtown Grand Rapids bringing cute stationery and unique gifts featuring over 90 local vendors.

Zine Crawl Station at Oh, Hello Co.
Zinesters at Oh, Hello Co.

Digital Wolf Welcome Book

Zines