Self publishing

[fitzroy]

Anyone got any alternatives to comixpress where I can get a quote for printing comics or a graphic novel?

Cheers in advance for the help.

[parrish]

A friend of mine and I used this guy several years ago before comixpress was around.

http://icomics.com/hbps/

I would try to get some samples from him before though, depending on how picky you are about printing...

[Petersen]

I have heard Lulu prints books: http://www.lulu.com/comics

How many are you looking to print Fitz?it may be cheaper to go to a 'real' printer (as opposed to a print on demand place) like Quebbacor, or Brenner.

I forgot who the Drawingboard folks used for the Zowie books.

The problem with the print-on-demand is that your cost ends up being too close (or even more than) a wholesale price. So the only way you can sell your book and make a profit is to hawk it yourself at a con or show.

[hellboyone]

A few options in this Drawing Board thread...

http://www.drawingboard.org/viewtopic.php?t=36388

I didn't handle the printing services for Zowie so I don't know who did our printing. I think it was a place in Washington state, though.

I haven't been that impressed with anything Lulu has put out. For the price, it's not that great.

[Petersen]

I haven't been that impressed with anything Lulu has put out. For the price, it's not that great.

Good to know

[fitzroy]

Cheers guys, I appreciate the help and input.

[Rachel Edidin]

I have heard Lulu prints books: http://www.lulu.com/comics

How many are you looking to print Fitz?it may be cheaper to go to a 'real' printer (as opposed to a print on demand place) like Quebbacor, or Brenner.

I forgot who the Drawingboard folks used for the Zowie books.

The problem with the print-on-demand is that your cost ends up being too close (or even more than) a wholesale price. So the only way you can sell your book and make a profit is to hawk it yourself at a con or show.

I've used Lulu before and was really unimpressed with the results: high cost for a pretty mediocre product. It was for a prose book (http://www.lakeofthedead.com), so I don't know if they're any better with graphic novels.

[dogboy443]

When I worked for Caliber and Crusade, even though we went through a publisher to handle distribution, we dealt with Quebecor. Currently they are the biggest commercial printer handling offset and web. You'll be looking to take advantage of their web division. Also as an alternative, check your local hometown web printing companies. Most of them can set-up your publication on their web presses and also handle the 4C cover. Not sure where you are geographically, but at least this gives you a couple alternatives.

Mark

[hollow18]

hi
when i self published my comic i printed it through Westcan Printing in Canada.

http://www.westcanpg.com/index.html

they had the best price- and used better uncoated paper then Quebicor. not cheap newsprint.
i hate that glossy shit.

for 2000 copies it was about $1.20-25 a piece i think including the shipping and overrun.

also comixpress does a good job for the right price if you are looking for print on demand.
m