As far as I can tell, there is no command to “batch zip” files in OS X. If you had ten folders and wanted to create ten zip files–one zip for each folder–you’d have to do it one at a time. That is, you would, if you weren’t here downloading the Finder plugin I made to batch zip files.

Here is the workflow file (43kb). Download it, extract it, and open it in Automator (it will open itself in Automator if you just double click it). From there, look at the pretty code written by my friend Micah for a second, then choose File | Save As Plug-in. Enter a name (this is what you’ll see in the finder when you execute the command, so be descriptive. “Batch Zip Files” works well), and make sure Finder is selected in the “Plug-in for:” box. Click Save and you’re done.

Now when you want to archive multiple files, just select them, right-click (CTRL-click) them, navigate to More | Automator | (whatever you called it) and you’re zipping away.

Note: this creates .tgz files, which are actually TAR archives.