Gen-Z is reviving print magazines, zines, and analogue media, sparking a cultural comeback beyond digital platforms
Nostalgia is a powerful force, especially for Gen Z. This generation, which has largely grown up alongside social media and the online world, is increasingly yearning for real-life experiences and the opportunity to “touch grass”. We have seen this with the resurgence of analogue cameras, the growing popularity of vinyl records, and even the return of brick phones (or tools to make your iPhone almost unusable). Naturally, print media was not far behind.
@dumbphoneapp How I set up my minimal iOS 18 Home Screen like a dumb phone. 🔥 #iOS18 #iphone #customization #dumbphone #techtok ♬ original sound - Dumb Phone
Dumb phones are one of the strategies Gen Z uses to push back against digital overload
But why is Gen-Z longing for a time they have not truly experienced? Perhaps this young generation is seeking refuge from the increasingly saturated and overwhelming digital spaces, characterised by the rise of AI, bots, and new forms of digital “authoritarianism.” There appears to be a rise in anti-intellectualism, prompting Gen-Z to look offline for media that helps them escape the mental fatigue of their online lives.
According to Wired, social media has shaped culture for over a decade, but as these platforms feel increasingly unsafe, more people are turning to alternative media. This shift is evident in the proliferation of zine fairs, such as Black Zine Fair in New York.
Iconic Magazines Making a Comeback in 2025
Magazines that were once iconic but had fallen out of favour are also making a comeback. i-D magazine, for example, returned to newsstands in March, while Nylon Magazine resumed printing in April 2024.
While mass-market magazines appear to be struggling, an article in The Guardian reports that indie and luxury titles are flourishing. Major brands like Chanel, Dior, and Armani are among those capitalising on this renewed love for print media, having launched their own magazines as platforms for storytelling and creative expression.
Independent and Luxury Print Titles Flourishing Among Young Readers
In Milan, an increasing number of stores are opening that sell rare, antique books and independent zines. For example, Scaldasole Books offers a wide selection of second-hand books, while Reading Room is dedicated to “giving voice and visibility to a phenomenon that, in recent years, through visionary editorial projects, is redefining the system of periodical publishing and the meaning of print in contemporary times.”
Additionally, SPRINT Milano hosts a yearly book fair where independent zine makers can sell their publications.
View this post on Instagram
Happening September 13–14, Mag To Mag is Italy’s go-to event for independent magazine
Another notable example Frab’s, a project focused on “a cultural dissemination operation that accompanies the sale of magazines with the organisation of activities related to the experience of art, culture, and publishing.” Their store offers editorial products that make a significant cultural and artistic contribution to the world of print media.
DIY Zines: How Gen-Z Creates Their Own Magazines
Gen-Z is not only buying and reading magazines from newsstands; they are also actively participating in their creation. Video tutorials on how to create DIY zines at home have garnered over a million views, with some individuals using them to share ideas beyond the reach of social media.
View this post on Instagram
Gen Z revives zines, creating DIY mags to share ideas beyond social media
Zines are evolving, shaped by a generation determined to create tangible objects that bypass increasingly hostile online platforms.
Milan’s Print Culture: Fairs, Bookstores, and Indie Publishers
Nothing illustrates the revival more than Mag To Mag, now in its third edition. This event, hosted at BASE in Milan on September 13th and 14th, is organised by Frab’s Magazines. It will feature over 80 independent publishers from around the world, who will come to display their magazines and animate a vibrant market area. Additionally, there will be numerous training sessions and in-depth talks about the editorial sector, along with various workshops on writing, home printing, and more. Topics to be explored during the two-day festival include the influence of graphic designers on the cultural, social, and psychological transformations of our time, the aesthetics of “dirty printing”, and how the next generation will interpret fashion.
With nearly 5,000 visitors attending the 2024 edition of Mag To Mag, it is undeniable that print media is resonating with the hearts of Gen Z. There is a strong desire to return to analogue experiences and engage with culture beyond the digital screens that dominate our lives.
Why Print Media Matters in a Digital-First World
Print magazines, zines, and independent publications are no longer just nostalgic curiosities; they represent a cultural and political shift, reflecting Gen Z’s growing preference for tangible, offline experiences in an era overwhelmingly influenced by digital screens.