Collaborative Design, Printing, and Binding Services

Have you been dreaming of making your first DIY publication or zine, but aren’t sure where to start? I was new to this once, too, so I get it. Or maybe you’re an artist looking to grow your understanding of the Risograph design and printing process?

I offer collaborative publication design consulting, Risograph printing, and binding services for short run print media for individual artists, groups, and organizations! My offerings are geared towards those who are fairly new to the world of DIY and self-publishing–welcome! I’m so glad you’re here–including zines, chapbooks, broadsides, etc.

I’ve been working with and creating zines for almost twenty years. If you’re not familiar, zines are independently published, often experimental, booklets that promote knowledge-sharing, storytelling, and grassroots activism. They’re often artistic and have also historically been used to document and uplift histories, voices, and narratives that would otherwise be lost or erased. In an age of AI, zines are an act of tactile, unmistakably handmade rebellion. 

A few years ago, I fell in love with Risograph printing for its beautifully imperfect, vibrant and layered colors, and distinctly textured aesthetic, which has since brought more personality to my creative publications. Riso printing is an accessible and affordable print option that combines analogue processes and digital technologies. Riso machines look a lot like your standard copy machine but the internal process and outcome are closer to screen printing, which requires designing and printing in layers. My home studio is equipped with a Riso printer and eight different colors of ink.

I love to teach, so education is a built-in part of the process of working with me, which inherently makes it more collaborative. I’ll help you build skills and confidence in making the creative decisions involved in DIY publishing. I am truly happy to share my knowledge so that you’re able to share your ideas or art through print media.

Consulting, printing, and binding are all priced separately, so you can get help with any part of the process or grow your creative skillset, based on your needs and goals. Get in touch to set up a consultation to share your idea, explore what’s possible, and learn about my affordable pricing model. Additionally, I am open to discussing trades, should you have something to offer or teach me!

“We have worked with Ames in a range of capacities, and each of them have been creative, expansive, and deeply meaningful–from zine creation to a hands-on workshop exploring the intersection of grief and the possibilities of creative language. In each instance, it was clear that we were partnering with a consummate, thoughtful practitioner who creates singular, unique experiences–whether that was a publication, or a workshop, or sharing skills with other makers.”

Tyler Meier, Executive Director, University of Arizona Poetry Center

Upcoming Workshops

If you’re not quite ready for your first publication or like learning in a community context, I also offer many workshops on DIY publishing, zines, and more. Everyone who completes a workshop with me will leave feeling empowered to create their own books and share their own ideas as art.

Request a Workshop

Organizations and groups may request a customized workshop. Below is a sampling of workshop options. Pricing varies based on material costs, group size, and printing labor. We will work within your budget to create a fun and engaging workshop for all!

Zines Three Ways – Learn three easy and accessible ways to create zines, using tools and materials you probably have around your home!
Zines as Activism – Learn about the history and use of zines in social movements and create your own zine on an issue you care about.
Simple Book Structures for Writers – Learn three interactive book structures that you can use to share poetry, musings, and brief texts. 
Two-color Risograph Zines or Collage – Learn about the process of Risograph printing and experiment with your own two color zine or collage.

Don’t see what you’re looking for on the menu? I’m open to working with you to create a workshop that suits your needs.