Comic Book Printing: How to Get Started in 8 Steps

By Sarah Harris

If you’re looking to create the next big comic phenomenon, you’ll be pleased to know that comic book printing isn’t the exclusive realm of massive publishers.

The global comic book industry was valued at $15.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a whopping $26.9 billion by 2032. For those hoping to get a bite of this giant market, know that you have a couple of options for getting started.

Many smaller custom comic book printing services can turn your homegrown comic into a tangible reality. You can even make your comics at home with the right materials and a little ingenuity.

In this guide, we’re going over everything to know about how to print a comic book and comic book print on demand. With services like Print Bind Ship, it’s easier than you know to get started!

Comic Book Printing vs Comic Book Print on Demand

Comic book print-on-demand and comic book printing are two different approaches to producing and distributing graphic novels. Print Bind Ship specializes in both. Still, here are the key differences:

What is Comic Book Printing and How Does it Work?

Comic book printing, specifically traditional printing, refers to the process of producing a large number of graphic novels in advance, often in the thousands or more copies. This method takes advantage of economies of scale, making it cost-effective per unit when a significant quantity of comic books is produced.

One of the main advantages of traditional comic book printing is the ability to manage inventory efficiently. The responsibility falls on the publisher to accurately estimate the demand and ensure that enough copies are printed to meet it. However, this also means that they need to carefully manage the inventory, which can result in additional storage costs.

With traditional printing, there is always a risk of overprinting. This occurs when the publisher prints more copies than the market demands, leading to unsold copies and potential financial losses. It requires careful forecasting and market analysis to minimize this risk and avoid surplus stock.

What is Comic Book Print on Demand and How Does it Work?

Comic book print-on-demand is a popular method of producing and distributing comic books in the modern era. Traditionally, publishers would need to print large quantities of books in advance and distribute them to comic book stores, hoping that they would sell. This often led to wastage and financial risks, as publishers would have to guess the demand and could end up with surplus or unsold books.

However, with comic book print-on-demand, you can print comic books or graphic novels in smaller batches based on actual demand. This means that books are only printed when they are ordered, reducing the financial risks associated with overprinting. The process involves utilizing digital printing technology, where books can be printed quickly and efficiently based on specific customer requests.

Comic book print-on-demand opens up opportunities for independent comic creators and small publishers. They no longer need to invest large sums of money in printing and distributing large quantities of books upfront.

Instead, they can focus on creating high-quality content and design, and simply upload their work to a Print on Demand platform, like Print Bind Ship. This allows them to sell their comics worldwide without the need for a physical inventory, as books are printed and shipped directly to customers as per their orders.

8 Steps to Comic Book Printing

Self-publishing is a dream solution for creators who want to sidestep the publishing industry and it’s often a frustrating submission process. But before you take advantage of a custom comic book printing service, make sure your comic is dynamite.

1. Develop Your Comic Book

You’re essentially storyboarding your comic at this point. How long will your comic be? How will one scene flow into the next? What layout style, colors, and fonts will you use? You must lay the groundwork for your story before you can start drawing and inking.

2. Proofread Your Comic

Once you finish the initial draft of your comic, go over it with an eagle’s eye. Any comic book printing company you hire will be happy to print your comic, but it’s up to you to make sure it reads well. Look for grammatical errors and typos, artwork inconsistencies like color swaps, or dialog balloons going to the wrong character. You can always hire a proofreader or editor to help with this task.

3. Choose a Printing Service

When comparing different comic book printers, look for companies that have experience working with amateur comic book authors and artists like yourself. Partnering with a veteran comic book printer like Print Bind Ship will ensure you get the best results every time.

4. Select a Printing Method

The printing method you choose for your comic will impact not only your total project cost but also the reader experience. Here are a few of the most common comic book printing methods:

Digital Printing

Digital printing results in an even, flat feel. It has a low setup fee and is excellent for on-demand printing. The per-book cost is often higher, and the image quality won’t be as good as other methods.

Offset Printing

Offset printing uses a printing plate to apply color. It does this four times for each of the four colors required to get the final image. While the setup is more expensive than digital, you can print large batches at a lower cost.

Letterpress Printing

Letterpress printing gives the feeling of a raised, inked surface. The setup cost is higher than digital or offset, but as with offset printing, it’s possible to run large batches of printed comics at a lower cost. Each method can create gorgeous comic pages, and Print Bind Ship can perform them all with excellent results. If you’re unsure which is best for you, contact us to learn more about your options.

5. Select a Paper Type

The type of paper you use will affect how readers perceive your comic. Standard paper can give your story that classic comic feel, while glossy paper can lend longer full-color comics a more upscale look. Similarly, heavy cardstock makes for weighty, durable covers, one-page comics, and promotional art that will last a lifetime.

6. Send Your Comic for Printing

Now that your comic is ready, all that’s left to do is send in the files for printing. You’ll receive a proof of concept version before the final run so you can approve the look and feel of your comic.

7. Receive Your Printed Comic Book

Once we’ve completed your first batch of comics, we’ll ship them to you directly. Then, it’s up to you to get them into the hands of prospective readers. You can either sell them online yourself or set up a deal with a distributor.

8. Market Your Comic Book

There are numerous ways to market your self-published comic. You can take out social media ads and become active with your social media followers, or plug your new comic on various comic book forums. You can also take out video ads on YouTube or audio ads on Spotify and Pandora. Fiverr and other freelance sites are excellent places to find people to produce ads for you.

Partner with Print Bind Ship for Custom Comic Book Printing and Comic Book Print on Demand

You need to work with quality comic book printers to create a quality comic. Print Bind Ship works with comic authors like you to get comics to customers worldwide.

Highest-Quality Printing

We use durable, high-quality paper that feels as it looks. Our printing methods rival those of the biggest publishing houses, with sharp, crisp images and vibrant color printing.

Affordable

We offer ultra-competitive prices that are among the best on the market. No need to order thousands of copies of your comic — we’ll print as many or as few as you specify. You also can opt for a print-on-demand scheme where copies of your comic only get printed as people order them.

All-in-One Shipping and Tracking

You could go to the trouble of distributing your comics yourself, or you could let us do it for you.

We’ll warehouse, package, and ship your comics anywhere in the world. We’ll provide convenient tracking services for you and your customers, and we can handle returns.

Print Bind Ship Is the Hero You Need and Deserve

To see your comics achieve the success you want, you need to partner with the right printer. We understand that comics are your passion, so we’ll do our best to ensure that every copy meets your standards. Contact Print Bind Ship to bring your comic to life today!

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