The Revival of Print: Kickstarter-Funded Magazines in 2023–2025
In an era dominated by digital content, it’s easy to assume that print media is a relic of the past. Yet, the years 2023 to 2025 have seen a remarkable resurgence in print magazine publishing—fueled not by traditional media giants, but by the passionate support of niche communities on Kickstarter. Across art, gaming, literature, and outdoor life, creators have launched successful campaigns to bring physical magazines to life. Here’s a closer look at some of the most compelling examples from this period.
A Profound Waste of Time – Trilogy Reprint (2025)
Celebrating video games as art, A Profound Waste of Time (APWOT) launched a reprint of its first three issues in 2025. With a goal of £30,000, the campaign surpassed £75,000, attracting over 820 backers. Running from June 3 to July 3, 2025, the campaign demonstrated the enduring love for well-designed, reflective gaming content. The magazine appeals to adult gamers and art lovers who crave something more contemplative than mainstream gaming journalism.
Prompt Magazine Annual Digital Art Book (2025)
Not every project hits its mark. Prompt Magazine, a 500-page collection of AI-generated and digital art, launched in early 2025 with a modest goal of €5,000. Unfortunately, it only raised €12 from three backers, ending unsuccessfully. Despite targeting a tech-savvy community of digital artists and AI enthusiasts, the campaign failed to resonate.
Cut+Paste Magazine (2025 Funding)
In October 2024, Cut+Paste Magazine ran a campaign to fund its 2025 issues, raising $10,824 against a $10,500 goal with 132 backers. This independent art and photography magazine is designed for creators and visual artists, especially those in younger and experimental demographics who value tactile inspiration and design-forward content.
Plott Hound Magazine (2025)
This quarterly e-magazine featuring animal-centric fiction, essays, and poetry met its $8,000 goal with $8,284 from 87 backers. Running from December 15, 2024 to January 20, 2025, the campaign proved there’s a niche but enthusiastic audience for speculative animal literature. Its content targets adult readers and teens who enjoy fantasy, horror, and literary nature writing.
Tripwire Summer Special (2024)
A longstanding pop culture magazine, Tripwire successfully funded its 2024 summer print special with £3,209 from 129 backers (against a £2,000 goal). Focused on comics, genre films, and illustration, the campaign appealed to an adult demographic of comic enthusiasts and collectors. The campaign ran for 21 days in March and April 2024.
FEARZINE #2 – Fall 2024
Focusing on horror video games, FEARZINE raised $6,125 from 91 backers during its October 2024 campaign. The 100-page print and digital magazine featured in-depth articles, reviews, and developer interviews. Targeted at adult gamers, particularly fans of indie horror titles, the campaign highlighted a growing appetite for specialized gaming content.
The Book of Man – Special Print Edition (2024)
A lifestyle and mental health publication focused on modern masculinity, The Book of Man launched a Kickstarter in late 2024. Although final figures are unclear, the campaign was positioned as a way for readers to pre-order the first print issue. Its target audience included socially conscious men aged 20–50 and allies interested in redefining masculinity through thoughtful editorial content.
Ridgeline Magazine – Issue #1 (Winter 2024–25)
Serving Oregon’s Southern Willamette Valley, Ridgeline Magazine launched its debut print issue with a Kickstarter in fall 2024. Although funding figures were not disclosed, the campaign reached enough support to produce the winter issue. The magazine features outdoor storytelling and appeals to local nature lovers and recreational enthusiasts of all ages.
Pirouette World Edition (2023)
A bilingual (English-German) figure skating magazine, Pirouette World Edition raised €6,280 from 130 backers—just meeting its funding goal on August 31, 2023. It offers timeless features, interviews, and photography for adult figure skating fans worldwide. The success signals a dedicated international community craving in-depth skating journalism in print.
Trails Magazine (2023)
Responding to the closure of Backpacker magazine, Trails launched in late 2022 and delivered its first issue in early 2023. It raised $24,855—248% of its $10,000 goal—from 238 backers. With design-forward, ad-light content for backpackers and wilderness lovers, Trails is geared toward adults aged 20–50 who take their outdoor experiences seriously.
Conclusion
These Kickstarter campaigns reveal a powerful undercurrent: communities still crave print. Whether it’s art, gaming, nature, or lifestyle, physical magazines offer a tangible, curated experience that digital media can’t fully replicate. With the help of crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, independent creators are not only reviving print—they’re reinventing it for modern, passionate audiences.
