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ONLY FREE PAPER TOKTO × SUT Project
Free Paper/Zine Beginner's Course

For those who have a theme in mind but lack experience in bringing it to fruition.
7th session: July 17, 2025 (Thursday)
8th session: October 2025 (tentative)

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What are the rules for creating free papers and zines?

How much does it cost, and where does the money come from?

What exactly is editing anyway?!

Many people want to create a "free paper" or "zine," but struggle to figure out how. While the fundamental idea is "you can do it however you want since it's your own creation," this "anything goes" approach can sometimes be difficult and even paralyzing.

Therefore, this course aims to teach you several key points to make taking that first step easier. Of course, we will also provide additional advice depending on the creator's current stage of development.

Even in an age where anyone can create a social media account, many young people who prefer traditional paper goods like booklets still frequent SUT. Recently, there's also been a significant increase in cases of people launching free papers and zines after gaining work experience.

It seems that the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted more people to reconnect with friends from their student days online, realize the importance of making time for themselves, find their focus, and discover the joy of outputting their work. While free zines, or so-called free papers, were the primary method in the past, in recent years, many people have started creating paid zines. In particular, "writing and selling diaries" seems to be becoming a new form of output.

I believe a major reason for this is the increase in small bookstores like SUT, which have expanded the number of places where works can be handled without going through large distribution channels, and the fact that these bookstores and independent publishers are now supporting people with no prior experience.

SUT has held several "workshops" in the past, but starting this time, we've decided to include individual meetings, such as online sessions, before the actual production begins. The aim is to confirm direction and provide advice on preparing for the actual production, before attempting to complete a book in one day.

Regardless of whether you're good or bad at design, if you have something you want to communicate to people—that is, if you want to create a free paper or zine—it's definitely worth a try. If you feel even a little bit like that, please join us! Let's make that "unbelievable" happen together!

◎Course flow

STEP 01: Preparation/Conceptualization Prepare the seeds of your ideas (concepts). You can write them down in notes, record them as audio, or organize them in your head. Once you have a general direction and can clarify any uncertainties, organize them.

STEP 02: Pre-meeting / One week before implementation
As someone involved in editing, managing free papers, and selling zines, I would like to hear your thoughts on free papers and zines. While discussing themes and ideas, we will clarify the following points and address any questions, uncertainties, or concerns you may have.

• Application
• Paper and binding
• Printing method
• Sales method

STEP 03: While discussing the preparations made, we re-examined the concept plan, referencing the many free papers and zines available in the store, and then began production.

• Design
• Data conversion for printing
• Printing
• Hand-binding
• Advice on future developments

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[7th Session]
◎Date: July 17, 2025 (Thursday)
◎Time: 12:30 - 18:30 (approximately 6 hours / breaks as needed)
◎Capacity: 4 people (first-come, first-served)
◎Participation Fee: 7,000 yen (tax included)

[8th Session]
◎Date: October 2025 (tentative)
◎Time: 12:30 - 18:30 (approximately 6 hours / breaks as needed)
◎Capacity: 4 people (first-come, first-served)
◎Participation Fee: 7,000 yen (tax included)

▷Regarding the Pre-Meeting
• Date & Time: July 3rd (Thu) - July 5th (Sat) / 3 PM - 8 PM
• Method: ZOOM, Phone, or In-Person Meeting
*Approximately 1 hour (Reservations accepted on a first-come, first-served basis)
*Please indicate your preferred date and time in the memo when applying.

*The participation fee is per person per group.
*If you are participating with two or more people, please apply individually.
*Includes material costs, printing costs, data management costs, etc.

*Payment should be made at the register before the start of the event (cash, card, and various cashless payment options are available).

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