Based On A True Story: Zine vs. Zine

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Zine vs. Zine

I've now published a coupla zines via Blurb, and I'm quite pleased with the quality. The thing I don't like is that they only use "perfect binding" as opposed to also offering "saddle stich," which is what most commercial magazines used- ya know, with the staples. The reason I mention is that saddle stich allows double truck images that are much easier to lay flat, see and enjoy (the entirety of the image over the two pages).

MagCloud allows zines with saddle stich, so even though I don't relish learning yet even more software, if the quality matches Blurb- it may just be worth the bother. Will try later in the year; viewing the occasional double truck image in a zine or book allows yet another valuable way to mix, edit and present your images in print, and it really is compromised in Blurb without saddle stich...

Anyone have experience with Magcloud? Some have mentioned that images tend to come out darker... but as opposed to Blurb, or as a result of an uncalibrated monitor? I've generally never had an exposure problem with printing on Blurb via my images straight form the monitor as is.

4 comments:

AnonymousApril 18, 2026 at 5:32 AM
I switched from MagCloud to Blurb after a friend sent me a Blurb magazine. The paper is heavier and better and the reproduction quality is at least as good. The MagCloud magazines feel flimsy in comparison.
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Stan B.April 19, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Thanks for the info. Magazine paper was traditionally thinner- if Magcloud print quality equals Blurb, would still be interested for the saddle stitch/double truck possibility.
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Carl WeeseApril 19, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Some glitch made my comment anon. I think the Blurb premium magazine is at least as substantial as some products sold as softcover books, and the MagCloud product isn't, either in perfect or saddle. The repro quality—it's all Indigo printers and I think both companies actually have the same corporate overlords—is good but hurt by the flimsy paper. I've used InDesign to build my projects for both. Blurb has a ID plug-in that automates the basic template and upload process which is very convenient. I haven't used the proprietary design apps for either so I don't know what the learning curve could be.
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