asterisk-press.com

What It Is

Asterisk Press is a small independent zine, comics, and print publishing brand founded and independently run by Irene Lam in 2017, with roots in the U.S. Bay Area/Oakland scene. It is not design software or an online creative platform, but an independent publishing project centered on personal creative work. Its output includes colorful, mixed-media, humorous, all-ages/child-friendly zines, comics, travel illustrations, and prints.

Core Strengths and Creative Process

Based on the available text, Asterisk Press’s core value lies in its complete DIY workflow from creation to finished product: writing and art, editing, photography, social media, layout, prepress, printing, folding, binding, and distribution are largely handled by the creator herself. Most works are digitally created, while also incorporating printmaking, Risograph-style aesthetics, and small-batch physical production. Equipment mentioned includes a Canon Pixma G6020 and a Risograph EZ591U purchased in 2023; some projects, such as Taiwan Travelog, digital art prints, and postcards, are outsourced for printing. The site also emphasizes catalog-level details such as editions, print runs, and publication dates.

Pricing and Purchasing

The text references a Catalog, Shop, Etsy store, several bookstore consignment locations, and in-person event booths, but does not disclose specific prices, payment methods, shipping fees, international delivery, or wholesale terms. As such, its business model appears to be primarily retail sales of individual works and event-based sales, rather than a subscription model or paid tool/service model.

Pros and Cons

Its strengths are a distinctive personal style combining digital illustration, paper craft, and Riso experimentation; approachable, child-friendly content; and strong recognizability within the indie comics and zine scene. The creator also openly shares production challenges, printing experiments, and inventory changes, which gives the project a good level of transparency. Its limitations are that it depends heavily on one person’s capacity, so new releases, stock, and reprints can be inconsistent; licensing, copyright, payment, and logistics information is limited; and as a one-person brand, customer support and collaboration capacity are naturally constrained.

Who It’s For

Asterisk Press is suitable for readers who enjoy independent zines, travel illustration, DIY printing, Riso textures, and small-batch paper collectibles. It is also useful as a reference for creators studying how to run a personal publishing brand. It is not suitable for those looking for online design tools, template libraries, team collaboration platforms, or commercially licensable assets.

Access from China

The site is powered by Tumblr, and the text does not provide any mainland China access testing information. Its store may also rely on external platforms such as Etsy and Instagram, so actual access and purchasing experience may be uncertain. Therefore, its China access status is rated as unknown.