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// cut. paste. copy. repeat.

A zine collective's blog about photocopiers, glue sticks, and the scrappy little publications people staple together at midnight. How-tos, rants, and interviews from the back of the print shop.

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Field Notes

Notes From a Rainy Distro Table

Field Notes · · by · 1 min read · analog, black and white, flyers, pricing

It rained all day at the street market. We sold nine zines, traded six, and learned a lot about tarps.

Doors opened at six and the first person was already waiting with a folder of originals. By seven, both copiers were running, the paper cutter had a queue, and someone had put the kettle on without being asked.

Who showed up

  • Twenty-three people through the door
  • About 1,400 copies printed
  • Two paper jams, both cleared
  • One new volunteer for the lending shelf

Most people came to print, but a surprising number came just to sit at the long table and fold. There is something about a room full of people making small things that makes everyone quieter and kinder.

A room full of people folding is the quietest party there is.

What we learned

We ran out of long staples at nine and toner at half past. Next time we buy double of both, which is what we said last time.

Author

June Halloway

Volunteer archivist for the collective. Has opinions about acid-free boxes and the correct way to unfold a flyer.

MORE Related Scraps
TALK Comments 10 scrawls
  1. Marcus Yoon

    We tried this at our library print night and it worked first time.

    Reply
    1. June HallowayAuthor

      Same here. We keep the paper in a sealed tub now.

      Reply
    2. Hana Sato

      Please send a copy when it is done!

      Reply
  2. Hana Sato

    Our copier has the same mood swings. Humidity is the enemy.

    Reply
    1. June HallowayAuthor

      Thanks for reading. Let us know how it turns out.

      Reply
  3. Pip Calloway

    Do you trade? I have a perzine about bus drivers I think you would like.

    Reply
  4. Ines Duarte

    This is exactly the push I needed. Printing issue two this weekend.

    Reply
  5. Jonah Mbeki

    The pull quote is going on my studio wall.

    Reply
    1. Rosa Lindqvist

      Legal size works; just trim a strip off the long edge first.

      Reply
  6. Hana Sato

    Sharing this with the zine club at school. They are going to love it.

    Reply

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