The 404 Media Podcast Zines Are Back
30 snips
Dec 10, 2025 Get ready for some zine excitement as independent media makes a comeback! Discover the meticulous process behind creating a 16-page zine, aimed at bypassing digital algorithms. Meanwhile, strange changes on Instagram are generating random, misleading SEO headlines, leaving creators frustrated and misrepresented. Plus, a bold lawsuit from ICEBlock against the U.S. government adds a touch of intrigue. A fascinating blend of print revival and digital mischief awaits!
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Making A Hands-On Riso Zine
- 404 Media is printing a 16-page Riso zine about ISIS surveillance and will mail copies and hand them out at a benefit concert.
- Sam Cole describes designing the cover, choosing paper, and working with local Riso printers and designers for a hands-on production.
Print Bypasses Algorithmic Gatekeepers
- Sam Cole argues print bypasses algorithmic distribution and gives direct, tangible reach to readers.
- He frames physical media as a distribution method that resists platform moderation and algorithmic gatekeeping.
Designing With Riso And Local Collaborators
- Sam recounts designing with a three-color Riso palette, commissioning artist Vary Alvarez, and collaborating with designer Ernie Smith using Linux tools.
- He emphasizes the manual, wet-ink drying and hand-assembly process at Punch Kiss Press in Los Angeles.
