Creating a Comic Book? Here’s some Advice from a Printer

Muscular comic hero in blue armor battles through fiery debris shouting It's Go Time

estimated reading time: 19 minutes

A Quick Word from Color Vision Printing...

Color Vision is a full-service, totally custom printer. We've been a trusted printing partner to independent comic creators and publishers for over four decades. So we know how much time, passion, and creativity you have invested into your comic book.

A comic book illustrator experimenting with different characters for a new comic book series — *An illustrator experimenting with different characters for a new comic book series*

By offering high-quality printing at affordable prices, we have helped numerous artists and writers turn their visions into reality. Now we're ready to help you, too.

If you are a new comic creator ready to bring your creative works to life in printed form, this article is for you.

Below you will find answers to popular questions about comic book printing, including project specifications, print processes, and more.

Should you have any additional questions, just give us a call at 800-543-6299 or contact us online. We're always happy to help.

Answers to Popular Questions about Comic Book Printing:

What is the Best Printing Method for Comic Books - Offset or Digital?

Both the Offset and Digital printing methods produce excellent results. Which method is the better fit for your particular comic book project will largely be determined by the quantity of books you are planning to print.

Generally speaking, Digital Printing will be the more cost-effective option for smaller order quantities and Offset printing will be more cost-effective for higher order quantities.

Let's explore these two production methods in more depth to learn why the order quantity has such a significant effect on the unit cost of a comic book project.

Offset Printing is the traditional form of printing, where the ink is actually pressed onto the paper. The Offset printing method requires the creation of printing plates, which are sheets of aluminum or polyester that have been etched with the images to be printed. Every ink color used for the project receives its own unique printing plate(s).

Modern offset systems use computer-to-plate (CTP) technology, which transfers the digital artwork files directly to the printing plates. However, applying the ink to the paper is not a digital process; it is a mechanical process that involves a series of rotating cylinders.

In addition to the creation of printing plates, an Offset press requires a detailed set-up process before the actual print run can begin. This process, known as "Make Ready" helps to verify all the ink colors are in register with each other and are producing vivid images on the paper.

Though the Make Ready process is necessary to ensure the press is operating at peak efficiency, it adds time and labor to the front end of an Offset print run. Make Ready also consumes a fair amount of paper used as test sheets. However, once the Make Ready tasks are complete and the press begins the actual production phase, it operates with great speed and efficiency, thus bringing down the unit cost of each comic book as the press continues to run.

The cost of creating printing plates, as well as the set-up costs associated with the Make Ready process, prevents Offset printing from being an economical choice for smaller book orders. This is because the upfront costs cannot be distributed over enough units to make a smaller book project cost effective.

On the other hand, a larger order can absorb these upfront costs because the costs are distributed across more units. This means once an Offset press is up and running, the unit cost goes down with each impression. The initial set-up costs may be high, but the cost of applying ink to paper is minimal once the press is in operation.

Hence, Offset printing is extremely cost-effective when printing comic books in bulk. As far as an actual order volume, the generally accepted recommendation is that an Offset press will provide the best value for projects of 1,000 books or more.

Unlike the Offset method, Digital Printing does not use printing plates. The artwork files, which have been created on a computer and exist in electronic form, are transferred directly to the printing press for output.

Most commercial Digital printing presses operate with either laser or inkjet technology. Laser printing presses fuse powdered toner to the paper substrate, whereas inkjet printing presses apply tiny droplets of liquid ink.

A colorful comic book panel showing a man in a blue suit running down an alley — *Each panel within a comic book helps communicate the action, the emotion, and the setting*

Because Digital presses can output directly to the substrate, this method does not incur the upfront costs associated with plate creation or an extensive make-ready process. This means there is no upfront cost burden to overcome. As such, large quantities do not need to be produced in order to absorb these upfront costs. The production cost of the first print made on a Digital press run is pretty much the same as the cost of the 50th or 500th print. Hence, any savings from the economies of scale are limited when printing on a Digital press.

The bottom line is that Digital printing is more cost-effective than Offset printing when printing books in smaller quantities. The generally accepted recommendation is that a Digital press provides the best value for book projects that have an order quantity less than 1,000 units. For many years, the recommended quantity for Digital printing was 500 units or less, but in recent years the price of Digital printing has become more affordable for quantities approaching 1,000.

So what does Color Vision suggest for comic creators just starting out? Our suggestion for new book launches is to start off using Digital printing services. Then as you gain more readership and your order quantities increase, consider switching to Offset printing to take advantage of the economies of scale. You will be amazed how much Offset printing will decrease the unit cost at higher production volumes.

By the way, Color Vision has both types of printing presses - Offset and Digital. Having both production methods in-house allows us to print a broader range of book projects at affordable rates, so we can accommodate your initial start-up needs as well as produce your comics in volume as you grow.

What is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for Comic Books?

As you might expect, the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) varies from printer to printer. For example, printers that operate Digital presses usually have minimums in the range of 25 to 300 books. Printers that only have offset presses will need more volume to make the production run cost effective, so their minimum for offset production might be as high as 1000 books to be able to offer the best unit price.

Regardless of the production method, the unit cost will always be higher at lower production quantities and lower at higher production quantities.

Color Vision will provide comic book quotes for quantities as low as 25 copies. That said, one thing to keep in mind is that every print shop has different equipment and capabilities, so each has its own "sweet spot" where the pricing is most competitive.

Because Color Vision has both Digital and Offset presses, our sweet spot for printed books is within the range of 100 to 5000 units. We are confident you will be very pleased with our pricing for projects within this quantity range.

What Size should my Comic Book Be?

The most popular size for modern American comic books is 6.625" wide x 10.25" high. This refers to the finished size, after the pages have been trimmed during production.

Though less common, other sizes used for comics include the 5.5" x 8.5" digest size and the 8.5" x 11" magazine size.

You may have noticed that many online printers offer a narrow set of comic book sizes from which you must choose. However, some printers - like Color Vision - offer custom sizes in addition to standard sizes.

Being a totally custom printer, Color Vision can create your comic in whatever size or orientation you desire. This means the physical size of your comic book is totally up to you, allowing you to choose unique dimensions that will set your book apart.

What Type of Binding should I Choose?

Since the early days of comic books, two binding methods have remained at the forefront - Saddle Stitch Binding and Perfect Binding. Though these two methods have vastly different production processes, both provide a practical and economical binding solution.

To help you determine which of these binding methods is a better fit for your particular project, we have provided a detailed explanation of each method below…

The spine of a saddle stitched comic book compared to the spine of a perfect bound comic book — The top book in this photo is made with Saddle-Stitch Binding, which uses wire staples to join folded sheets. The bottom book is made with Perfect Binding, which uses adhesive to affix the pages within a wraparound cover.

Saddle Stitch Binding uses wire staples to join a comic book's cover and pages together. After the page sheets have been printed, they are partially folded and then draped over a saddle-like apparatus where the sheets nest together as each falls into place. Each folded sheet creates four pages of the comic book.

After all the folded page sheets have been compiled in the proper order, a folded cover sheet is applied over the page assembly. Several wire staples (usually two) are then driven through the fold line of the assembled sheets. The staples first penetrate the outside cover, then pass through every interior sheet until they pierce the innermost sheet.

The staples are then cinched closed in the fold line of the innermost sheet. The staples hold the pages and cover tightly together, while allowing the pages and cover to turn freely. After the book has been stapled, it is folded tighter together and the open edges of the book are trimmed as needed.

The stapled fold line of the assembled sheets is what forms the book's spine. Because the resulting spine is quite narrow, there is not enough room to print text on the spine of a saddle-stitched book. However, the narrow spine allows Saddle-stitched books to lie relatively flat when opened.

The saddle-stitch binding method works best for comics with lower pages counts. This is because wire staples can only secure a given number of pages. Trying to bind too many pages with staples can create excessive bulk and tension near the spine. This leads to a bulging effect that prevents the comic book from lying flat. So, our recommendation is to only use the saddle-stitch method to bind a maximum of 60 pages if you prefer a nice flat comic.

A big benefit of the saddle-stitch binding method is its low cost. In fact, it is the cheapest binding method available. Despite its low cost, it produces securely bound and professional-looking comic books. This helps explain why, decade after decade, saddle stitching has remained a prevalent style of comic book binding.

Unlike saddle-stitching, which uses a mechanical fastening method, the Perfect Binding process uses a special hot-melt adhesive to secure the pages into a wraparound cover. The adhesive provides a strong bond but remains flexible after it has set up.

The perfect binding process is slightly more involved than the saddle-stitching process. After the pages of the comic book have been printed, they are collated into a compact stack. This stack is known as the page block. Each sheet within the block creates two pages of the book.

After the page block has been assembled, the spinal edge is notched or "roughed up" using a machine with rotating blades. These sharp blades expose more paper fibers, thus providing additional surface area for the adhesive to make a stronger bond.

By this point in the process, the cover of the comic book will have already been printed. Depending on the specs of the project, the book's cover may have also received a durable clear coat, spot UV, or other enhancements. The cover will also have been scored and creased so it will fit snugly around the page block.

Once the page block and cover have been prepared, hot-melt adhesive is applied along the spinal edge of the page block. The block is then affixed to the center of the inside cover. Next, the cover is wrapped tightly around the page block.

Once the glue sets, the comic book undergoes a trimming operation. The three open sides of the book are trimmed to ensure the pages are uniformly straight. These arrow-straight edges are where "perfect binding" gets its name.

Whereas saddle-stitch binding is well-suited for comic books with lower page counts, perfect binding is ideal for comic books and graphic novels with medium to high page counts. In fact, the perfect binding method is not recommended for books thinner than .125". This is because the glue needs a bonding surface of at least .125" in width to ensure strong adhesion.

A big advantage of perfect binding is that it produces a square spine. If the resulting spine is wide enough to accept printed text of a legible size, it can be printed with the comic book's title, author(s), volume number, or other identifying information.

As far as cost is concerned, perfect bound books are not quite as cheap as saddle-stitched books but they are still very affordable. Also, the square, printable spine and crisp edges help to enhance the value.

Though saddle-stitching and perfect binding are by far the most popular binding styles for comic books, there are other binding styles available. For example, Hardcover Binding is sometimes used for deluxe editions. Though hardcover binding is very durable, it sells at a premium price. Other binding methods, such as Spiral Coil or Wire-O binding allow books to lie perfectly flat when opened. However, like the hardcover method, these binding types are not considered a mainstream choice for comics and are generally reserved for special editions.

What Kind of Paper should I use for the Interior Pages and the Cover?

Choosing the right paper for your comic book is one of the most important decisions you'll make in the printing process. The thickness, texture, and finish of the paper you choose will have a big impact on the appearance and feel of your comic book. Though some printers only offer a limited paper selection, totally custom printers are able to produce comics using any type or weight of paper you choose.

The two primary classifications of paper are Coated and Uncoated.

Gloss Coated stocks have a slick and shiny finish that will make ink colors appear more vibrant. Gloss coated stocks are great for showcasing full-color artwork, especially for comics oriented toward action or excitement.

Matte Coated stocks have a smooth but minimally reflective finish. Colors appear softer on a matte stock. As such, text-heavy comics and graphic novels will be easier to read because of the reduced glare.

Uncoated stocks offer a flat look with zero sheen. They also have a rougher texture with a more natural paper feel, like the pages of vintage comics. Ink colors will appear somewhat subdued on an uncoated stock but the natural paper texture offers a more tactile experience. Uncoated stocks are a good choice for black-and-white printing or retro style artwork.

A male hand flipping the pages of a colorful comic book — *Choosing which paper to use for your comic book is one of the most important decisions you will make. It not only affects how your artwork will look, it also affects how your book will feel.*

Regarding the thickness of paper used for custom comic books, there are lighter text weights and heavier cover weights from which to choose. The heavier the paper weight, the more durability it offers against frequent handling. Heavier paper weights also offer more opacity to prevent artwork from showing through to the other side of a sheet.

The most popular options for the interior pages include the text weights of 60 lb, 70 lb, or 80 lb. Cover weights range from 80 lb to 130 lb, with the heavier weights usually reserved for the covers of comic books made with the perfect binding method.

If you are unsure of which paper to use, Color Vision will be happy to help you choose the paper that will best align with the other specs of your project. You can also mail us a comic that has the look and feel you want to replicate and we will be happy to spec out the weight and sheen level of its pages and cover for you.

While we're on the subject of paper, we wanted to bring up the "Self Cover" option. The majority of comic books are ordered with a cover that is slightly thicker than the paper used for the inside pages. However, many comic books are ordered as "Self Cover" books.

Self Cover simply means the same paper stock is used to create the entire book. In other words, the exterior cover and interior pages are printed on the exact same type and weight of paper. For example, 70# gloss text throughout.

The cover could be a lighter weight to match the pages, or the pages could be a heavier weight to match the cover. Either way, the self-cover option provides some cost savings because the entire book can be printed and assembled all at once, as opposed to requiring two separate production runs for the cover and pages.

Technically, any softcover binding style can be used in conjunction with the self-cover option. However, saddle-stitching is the binding method most frequently used to create self-cover books.

Should I Print my Comic Book in Full Color or use Black Ink Only?

Whether you design your comic book to print in full color or black ink depends on your artistic vision, the expectations of your target audience, and your budget. Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide…

Full Color Printing is the predominant choice for modern US comics because it offers tremendous visual impact. Full color brings characters and action sequences to life, making scenes more immersive and the story progression easier to follow. It also helps convey the proper mood and atmosphere, such as using warm tones for energy and cool tones for tension. Full color printing is used for genres that rely on vibrancy and visual impact, such as superhero, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi, and children-oriented comics.

Commercial presses use the 4-color process method to produce full-color printing. The 4-color process uses only four ink colors - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. Known collectively as CMYK, these four ink colors are applied in successive layers of tiny ink dots as the paper moves through the press. The dots intermingle on the sheet to create thousands of different shades and hues, building vibrant and detailed images.

Black Ink Only (which includes Grayscale and Black-and-White art) is used for artistic reasons as well as to save money. Because only one ink color is used - Black - it is a more economical printing method than using the four ink colors of CMYK. In addition to black ink costing significantly less than full color printing, the file sizes are also smaller and the production runs are more streamlined.

As its name implies, Grayscale uses varying shades of gray to produce images. Unlike full color images that are created from the four different CMYK ink colors, grayscale images are produced solely from black ink. The black ink appears in concentrations ranging from 0% black to 100% black. This wide range - from the faintest gray to the darkest charcoal - provides the variations in color and light needed to accurately represent the images. Despite being devoid of color, Grayscale images still provide a high level of detail.

Black-and-White printing is similar to grayscale in that it only uses black ink. However, with black-and-white printing there are no shades of gray. The black ink is applied at full strength, with the base paper color providing the white contrast.

Both Grayscale and Black-and-White printing can give comic books a gritty, edgier look. As such, these techniques are often used in conjunction with dark, scary, or suspenseful storylines such as those found in the genres of horror, crime, or mystery. Also, comics done in the Manga style are usually created using only black ink for the pages.

As mentioned, printing with black ink is more economical than printing in full color. Often, the cover of a comic book is printed in full color while the interior pages are printed with black ink. This color combination provides the benefit of having an eye-catching cover with the cost savings of using black ink for the pages.

The affordability of printing in black ink, whether used for the entire book or just the interior pages, makes it a good option for new creators trying to establish a following. Once an audience is established, creators can transition to full color printing for future editions if they so choose.

A full color comic book panel of a man on a motorcycle next to a grayscale comic book panel of a man on a motorcycle — Full Color printing helps drive the story by giving scenes a vibrant and impactful appearance. Grayscale printing is well suited for storylines that carry a more introspective or emotionally heavy tone.

What Special Finishing Options are Available for Covers?

In printing, "Finishing" refers to optional enhancements that can be added to printed pieces after the ink has been applied. Since the cover is the first thing people see when looking at a comic book, most finishing choices are applied to the cover.

The primary goal of finishing is to amplify visual appeal, adding a "wow" factor that not only commands immediate attention but also leaves a lasting impression. In addition to boosting the physical appearance of a comic, some finishing techniques can also enhance the texture and durability.

If you are looking to add a level of customization to your comic book, below are some finishing options for you to consider…

High-Gloss Finish: A high-gloss finish can be obtained by either applying a gloss UV coating or a gloss laminate film. The glass-like sheen created by these treatments enhances the depth and intensity of the underlying ink colors, making them appear even more vibrant and visually striking. The slick surface of a gloss finish also helps extend the life of a comic by repelling smudges, grime, and scuffs.

Spot UV: A gloss Spot UV coating can be used to highlight specific areas of the cover artwork by giving these areas a higher sheen level than the surrounding surface.

Soft Touch Finishes: A soft touch finish appeals to the sense of touch by providing a velvety or suede-like feel. This finish is achieved either by using a liquid coating that yields a soft-touch texture as it dries or by applying a soft touch laminate film. The unusual texture adds intrigue and heightens the reader's interaction with the comic.

Foil Stamping: The foil stamping process applies metallic accents to the cover, producing a stunning optical effect. Foil is available in various colors as well as popular metallic finishes like gold, silver, or copper.

Embossing/Debossing: Embossing creates a raised design and debossing creates a recessed design. Both methods produce a 3-dimensional effect. The paper substrate is placed between two mating die sections and then heat and pressure is applied to permanently elevate or indent the design. Embossing can be used in conjunction with Foil Stamping or Spot UV.

Die-Cutting: As the name implies, die-cutting refers to a method of cutting shapes into paper, cardstock, and other substrates using a sharp metal die. The die-cutting process is used to add sculpted edges, rounded corners, see-thru "windows", and interesting patterns and contours.

What File Format should I Submit?

Almost all printing companies, including Color Vision, prefer that your artwork files be submitted as high-resolution PDFs. Also, to maintain print quality, images and artwork should be at least 300 dpi.

Plus, it is especially important that the color mode be set to CMYK, not RGB. If using PMS spot colors, be sure to specify the Pantone numbers.

Bleed should extend 0.125" beyond the trim edge and crop marks should be properly placed. Additional recommendations from Color Vision's art department can be found here: How to Submit Artwork

Will my Artwork Files get Checked Over before Printing?

Thoroughly checking artwork files to ensure they are print ready is vitally important to ensure a successful production run. It is also a service that differentiates full-service custom printers from many of the automated online printers.

The majority of online printers will assume the artwork file you submit is print-ready. Hence, their systems will only perform automated checks on some basic elements, such as file type, page count, and trim size. If your artwork passes these basic checks, they will print exactly what you sent them…even if serious issues remain, such as content too close to an edge, color or resolution settings being off, or an unexpected shift in the page order.

Three members of a commercial printer's prepress department working at their computers — *A member of Color Vision's prepress department preflighting artwork to ensure it is print ready*

A full-service custom printer will have a prepress department that will preflight your artwork before the files go to press. The preflighting process ensures the artwork can be printed successfully. It involves a thorough inspection of the art for a wide range of potential issues which, if not corrected, could lead to printing delays, poor quality, or an expensive reprint.

As a full-service printing company, Color Vision has an in-house graphics and prepress department to preflight all artwork submitted with a printing order. If any issues are found, we will communicate these to you along with any recommendations for remedying them. We'll work closely with you to ensure your files are print-ready and we will forward a proof to you for approval. We want you to receive the quality results that you expect.

How Much does it Cost to Print a Comic Book?

Now we come to the big question - how much will it cost? When it comes to the cost of having comic books printed, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. This is because the printing costs are dependent upon the specifications of each individual project, such as the order quantity, book dimensions, page count, binding style, paper and ink choices, plus any optional features.

Since every comic book project is unique, requesting a custom quote is really the only way to get an accurate cost for your specific project. Color Vision is always happy to provide quotes for your projects, so don't be shy about asking us for a quote. After all, we're here to help you!

To get a price quote, simply use our Quote Request form to send us your project's specifications and we will email a custom quote to you. Or, if you prefer to discuss your project by phone, give us a call at 800-543-6299.

Because Color Vision is a totally custom printer, we can produce your comic books with any specifications or in any genre you desire. Just let us know how we can be of service!