Fanzine
A Certain Ratio, Distractions, The Drones, V2, The Fall
St John's College Student Union
6th December 1978

Featuring: ACR, the Distractions, the Drones, V2, The Fall, Martin Hannett.
Contributors: Andy Zero, Martin X, J.C., N.R.H.
Offices: Student Union, St John's College, Lower Hardman Str, M/C3

TRANSCRIPTION:

HOW TO PRODUCE A FANZINE
City Fun started because we had something to write. An idea of printing grew and became a fact.
'City fun is on A4 size paper and is duplicated. Duplication is a pretty standard procedure and is normally a better reproduction than we've been getting; it is usually the cheapest form of paper reproduction. You have to have what you want duplicating on a 'stencil'. You can either type directly onto a stencil (we did first issue) or 'lay out' and then cut a stencil on an 'electric stencil machine'. 'Laying out' means arranging the words, pictures, photos' etc, on a peice of paper the size of which you want duplicated- this is what we've done 2nd and 3rd issues.
The most common alternative to duplicating is 'Litho printing'- normally referred to as 'printing'. This is a much better process and provide a 'proffesional' finish. It costs more. It has to be printed by'printers'. Something like 'New Manchester Review' is Litho printed. You have to have your pages laid out and then give them to the printers to print. You can have pages 'reduced in size' - this means that you can get more on a page. Always check with the printer before preparing anything.
THE FOLLOWING PLACES PROVIDE FREE DUPLICATIG FACILITIES:-
MARC (Manchester Area REsource Centre) , 61 Bloom St (Behind Chorlton st coach station), Manchester 1. Tel 0161-236-3050/1117.
'Preference will be given to self help groups with few resources which are working in areas lacking amenities and resouces and where key members of the group are also members of that community'. I'd phone and ask before going to use their stuff, for fanzines it should be ok.
Basically the 'resource centre provides facilities for groups without any. They will also give advice assistance and information (including information about printing, laying out etc)
Of intrest to fanzines:- They have two Roneo duplicating macines two electric stencil cutters, a photocopying machine, two electric typewriters and several manual ones, and plenty of space for laying out.
You have to operate the machines yourself but they show you how and help out when things go wrong. The machines are all fairly easy to use although they are sometimes very tempremental- it seems to depend on how they're used.he people there are pretty helpful and good at sorting out problems.
The resource centre sells paper of different kinds and different kinds of stencils. You can either use stuff there or take it away. The prices are pretty cheap.
The conditions there are pretty good, you sometimes get cups of tea, the people are friendly and its quite a constructive atmosphere.
You have to pay for the paper and stencils. If youre rich they'll probably ask you to pay ink and running costs.
Again. Phone and ask before going in.
You usually have to book the use of machine in advance- there is sometimes a weeks waiting list. If you tell them what you want to do they'll tell you what machines you need and how long it will take. They can also give information about Litho printing, laying out etc, etc.
COMMUNITY ACTION, Manchester university Students Union, Oxford rd, Manchester. Phone 061-273-5111 extension 40.
Their criteria for groups using their equip ment is probably similar to the resource centre. If you want to use it phone and ask first.
Some of the things Community Action do are:- Visiting old people and handicapped kids, helping at youth clubs, asoup run, Helping at the night shelter (for the homeless) etc, etc..
Of intrest to fanzines:- they have a gestetner duplicator. It is an old machine but recently serviced. It's pretty easy to use, fast, but tempremental. The people there will show you how to use it and help if things go wrong. They're pretty friendly but have varying degrees of knowledge about using the machine. There is no paper or stencils and you have to bring your own ink for the duplicator.
I think that it is available quite a lot of the time. Phone and ask before going in
COMMUNITY ACTION SAlford University Students Union. Phone 061-736-7811
They normally have some duplicating facilities but they're out of use at the moment. They should be available in a few months and be free to use.
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