HELLO ZINESTERS, READERS, AND ENTHUSIASTS,
2025 IMPACT
2025 was an incredible year for Wasted Ink Zine Distro, Paper Jam + Print, and the Phx Zine Fest! Wasted Ink turned 10 years old and we moved into our new expanded distro, library and storefront! With the help of your generous support and involvement, we distributed over 2,750 zines, provided 312 hours of zine and art events, workshops and programs for over 3318 youth and adults, and hosted a 2-day in-person Phx Zine Fest! We printed 28 zine projects for community members totaling 1,967 zines, not counting hundreds of our own zines for internal projects.
We distributed zines at the Tucson Zine Fest, Bisbee Zine Fest, Portland Zine Symposium, and the Northern Arizona Book Fest. We launched our email newsletter and our print shop, Paper Jam + Print, celebrated three years of collaborative printing!
We have steady goals for 2026 including providing free programming for our zinesters and communities, printing even more zines, and growing our zine library. None of this would have been possible without your participation in our programming and events, and your support of our national and international distribution efforts.
Thank you!
With Gratitude & Solidarity, Charissa & the WIZD Team
ABOUT WASTED INK
Founded in 2015 · Phoenix, Arizona · Community-based zine distribution & printing
community-based distribution center in Phoenix, Arizona, that distributes zines, resources, and funds, and provides printing services, the annual PHX Zine Fest, and an extensive zine library. These volunteer efforts are all dedicated to uplifting voices of historically marginalized creators who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, disabled, chronically ill, or neurodivergent.
Self-publishing has always been a form of resistance and subversion, allowing writers and artists to speak directly to their lived experiences while shaping their culture. WIZD aims to honor this tradition and support as many zinesters as possible in utilizing the freedom of the press. Wasted Ink collaborates in community with SATURNHEX and Shut Eye Press at Paper Jam + Print and many local and national partners!
2025 2,750 ZINES Distributed
At Tucson Zine Fest, Bisbee Zine Fest,Portland Zine Symposium, and the Northern Arizona Book Fest.
Printed 28 zine projects totaling in 1,967 ZINES
Grants Awarded in 2025
General Support
Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture
Creative Capacity Grant
Kellenberger Philanthropy Grant
Arizona Community Foundation
Vibrant City Grant City of Tempe
Trans Justice Funding Project
Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture
In 2025, we launched our email newsletter and published 17 newsletters and thousands of people read them! We also published 10 blogs on our website!
“When I opened Wasted Ink Zine Distro in a 100 sq ft room in a random strip mall in Tempe in 2015, I never expected to see it grow like it has over the last 10 years. Not only have we distributed over 15,000 zines and represented hundreds of zine makers over the years, but we’ve also been a home for people who need connection and
belonging. We’ll always put printed media first, ship far and wide, celebrate new and experienced zine-makers, and skill share constantly. Here’s to another 10 years, the opportunity to continue, and the joy of doing it by your side.”
- Charissa
WASTED INK DISTRO TURNS 10!
Best of Phoenix® 2025 | Goods & Services
“Zine culture is alive and well in the valley of the sun. Stop by Wasted Ink Zine Distro and find out why there will always be a home for people who have information to share through the medium of the printed page. Wasted Ink Zine Distro is more than just a place to find a zine, though. It’s also a place where you can get a taste of the history of zines, do a little research if you are starting (or continuing) your own publication and rub shoulders with some of the coolest people in town. Collaborate, educate, and congratulate yourself for supporting the continues existence of the written word. Staffed by volunteers, Wasted Ink distributes thousands of zines each year and might just be the most informative place in Phoenix”
THRIVING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Since it began in 2016, we’ve had 36 people participate in our internship program and help shape WIZD. We recently enhanced the experience to include print and archiving training, travel and vending opportunities, and goal setting and tracking. Our internship roles are now Retail, Library & Archiving, Print & Production, Event & Programing, and Admin.
“Working with and learning from Wasted Ink has revitalized me as a creative and a community member. I have learned a tremendous amount about organizing, community care, archival work, building sustainable resources, and creating with a variety of mediums. Most of all, this internship has taught me that when I fail, not only is it a sign of growth and learning, but I will be held and supported, not punished.” – Marlaina, 2025 Library and Retail Intern
Events External Workshops and Presentations
Paper Jam + Print Open Studio
Sequential Sundays with AmyLou
Carving Club with Little Patch of Hell
WIZD Type-In
Cinema Night
Zine Publishing Workshops and Pop Ups!
Brick Road Coffee
Valley Leadership
Northern Arizona Book Festival
Grand Ave Fest
Groundworks Tucson
Phoenix Art Museum
Desert Botanical Garden
Metro Arts Charter School
PAPER JAM + PRINT TURNS 3!
Paper Jam + Print is a collaborative print studio in downtown Phoenix, AZ that houses SATURNHEX, Shut Eye Press, and Wasted Ink Publishing, three presses that share a common ethos: to provide accessible, intentional, D.I.T. (Do It Together) printing opportunities. @paper.jam.print, paperjamnprint.carrd.co/
“I can't imagine doing all I do without the collaborative space we’ve built together at Paper Jam + Print. It inspires me to work more closely and in conversation with other artists, against my tendencies to tunnel deeper into myself and be overprotective and over analytical of my creative ideas. And I love getting to hold space and share my resources with other mixed-media creatives as they bring their visions to the surface!” - Angie of Shut Eye Press
“We love being part of Paper Jam + Print! As artists, it was always our dream to share our knowledge and skills with the community and uplift everyone together. Being part of this larger community that PJP has opened for us has been such a great experience as we continue to grow in ways that we never thought we could, and with people we wouldn’t have met otherwise.” - Vic & Julian of SATURNHEX
2-day Zine Fest @ Rocket Space Gallery
81 vendors AZ locals 70 out of state 11
800+ attendees
Taylor Hammett, Theo Quest, Shelby Rinke, Moon Strangeweather, ZuZu Cartoons, Hub, & Charissa Lucille Organizers
GOALS FOR 2026
Increase virtual programs
Expand the Wasted Ink Zine Library catalog
Host an in-person Phx Zine Fest
Distribute as many zines as possible (if safety allows)
Increase our use of analog tools and ways of connecting people
