InDesign + Final Steps before Printing - W22

 The last step of the process before printing that I would be involved in is inserting the pages into one InDesign document. Jim set up the document for me so all I had to do was insert the eps files and resize them. Standard practice would resize all the pages to fit the bleed margin which lies slightly outside of the actual page. You would do this in order to avoid unwanted white edges around the edge of the pages in case the printing is slightly shifted. However, for some of the pages, this would cut off some of the text. This is funnily enough what happened to one of the pages that I submitted for last year's zine. A little doodle I did got cut off at the bottom of the page. 

Due to my experience of this, I could empathise with the participants of this year's zine and how, most likely, no one would like their page to be cut off. This meant I had to make some decisions on whether some pages should have a white border around them in order to preserve the text. This problem is also something that could be learnt from, during next year's workshop, during the design process it should be noted that this might be a problem. I talked it over with Jim and he thought that some of the pages with white borders looked pretty cool and it gives it a unique feel so I feel that this is the right thing to do for the zine. It felt amazing to see it all come together into one document. I feel proud that this is the culmination of all my planning and now all my computer work.

The document is now in Jim's hands as he prepares it for printing. We also agreed that I would lend a hand with the actual printing as I am excited to see the process and take some photos to show the group. Additionally, I discuss with Jess how many copies we should print and we decided on 75 which is enough for all the participants to have at least two each and some leftover for staff who might want one. I am unfortunately running out of time before the deadline for this project however, I would still like to release a digital copy via Instagram in the future. Moreover, Jess had mentioned potentially working together on an exhibition showcasing pages from all the zines made in previous years and this year. I think that would be a really great idea for the Zine Project to showcase the result of all the workshops and get more people excited about joining in the future.

A spread featuring the pages of one participant which I decided to leave at full bleed.

A spread from the unfinished document. I later resized the page on the left as I was worried that the "Meow" would get cut off.

On my zine page from last year, you can see where a smiley face got cut off at the bottom under the text.