Where can I get a comic book printed that I am creating?

[suttercain]

I ordered a sample from the only place I could find on the web and I didn't think the quality was all that great. Anyone know of a good print shop that can run off a small order of 50 comic books that I am going to include in a proposal package? Thanks.

[sparta28090]

Now, I am not trying to speak for anyone so if it doesn't bare fruit don't get mad. Big Dog has a company called Big Dog Studios. he has an art thread here so quiz him. If he agrees or not be sure to checkout his myspace account...he rocks!

By the way, try a friendly writting challenge on my writers writing for artist thread, it shouldn't take you long. If it garners any intrest I may do a real challenge with comics as prizes.

[Brandon Hanvey]

Best to try Print-on-Demand printers.

http://www.lulu.com/
http://comixpress.com/
http://www.ka-blam.com/

Keep in mind these places typically use digital photocopiers to printer the comics. They may not be press quality depending on the art used in the comic.

[suttercain]

Best to try Print-on-Demand printers.

http://www.lulu.com/
http://comixpress.com/
http://www.ka-blam.com/

Keep in mind these places typically use digital photocopiers to printer the comics. They may not be press quality depending on the art used in the comic.

Hi Brandon,

Thanks for the reply. I ordered a sample from two of the sites. Do you know if any place does the 'newspaper' like paper? Not sure what it's called but it's the non-glossy thin paper.

Thanks again.

[Black Vespa]

Now, I am not trying to speak for anyone so if it doesn't bare fruit don't get mad. Big Dog has a company called Big Dog Studios. he has an art thread here so quiz him. If he agrees or not be sure to checkout his myspace account...he rocks!

By the way, try a friendly writting challenge on my writers writing for artist thread, it shouldn't take you long. If it garners any intrest I may do a real challenge with comics as prizes.


where is this thread located?

[sparta28090]

click this for the writting challenge (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=209707&page=3)

And Big Dog's art thread is self titled and usually at the first page of these posts. If you have problems pm me and I'll send a link.

[suttercain]

click this for the writting challenge (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=209707&page=3)

And Big Dog's art thread is self titled and usually at the first page of these posts. If you have problems pm me and I'll send a link.

I took a look at the writing challenge a couple days ago but I can't write for characters I'm unfamiliar with and I am a pretty anti-superhero type of guy. Thanks for the replies though. I appreciate it.

[sparta28090]

Completely understand your preferences. The first challenge being characters with a color in their name doesn't really mean they have to be a comic icon. Like maybe...

Blackbeard V/S Scarlett O'Hara I know, I know, it's a stretch on that one. I mean who would touch that one?....better yet who could make it entertaining? I am almost bet any writer would be out of their element to even attempt that but I happen to think that whether it is good or not, a writer exploring outside of their comfort zone has to give them some sort of new talent and experience.

I would give the above sceniro a shot if I hadn't already submitted one, it might be crap but i would try and hell maybe not today but sometime someone might be entertained by it.

Please note I am not trying to put a hard sell on the contest, but to be honest there don't seem to be alot of writers regularly posting so i happen to like to comment when a writer starts a thread.

[Manon]

Hi Brandon,
...'newspaper' like paper? Not sure what it's called but it's the non-glossy thin paper..

Newsprint is the term you are looking for, I believe.

[suttercain]

Newsprint is the term you are looking for, I believe.

Cool thanks. Anyone know a place that will print comics on this paper? I'm not a big fan of the digital printer quality I have been seeing so far.

[Manon]

I would be surprised if any small run printers used newsprint.

Newsprint is really only cost effective in large spools if I understand correctly.

However, I do agree with you. Some comics I prefer on newsprint. They lose something on a pure white glossy page that they have on newsprint.

[mattx110]

Completely understand your preferences. The first challenge being characters with a color in their name doesn't really mean they have to be a comic icon. Like maybe...

Blackbeard V/S Scarlett O'Hara I know, I know, it's a stretch on that one. I mean who would touch that one?....better yet who could make it entertaining? I am almost bet any writer would be out of their element to even attempt that but I happen to think that whether it is good or not, a writer exploring outside of their comfort zone has to give them some sort of new talent and experience.

I would give the above sceniro a shot if I hadn't already submitted one, it might be crap but i would try and hell maybe not today but sometime someone might be entertained by it.

Please note I am not trying to put a hard sell on the contest, but to be honest there don't seem to be alot of writers regularly posting so i happen to like to comment when a writer starts a thread.
I'm sure Blackbeard has appeared in at least one comic and one Scooby Doo episode. I was just talking about him a few days ago too.

Mean bastard.

[sparta28090]

Hehehe Matt....they said he kicked puppies, and took rich plantation owner's daughter's virginity, so he was an ass, he'd probably steal crack and sell it if he was alive today! Try that challenge Matt, you won a sequential script challenge so flex that script process again.

[howyadoin]

Hehehe Matt....they said he kicked puppies, and took rich plantation owner's daughter's virginity, so he was an ass, he'd probably steal crack and sell it if he was alive today! Try that challenge Matt, you won a sequential script challenge so flex that script process again.For future reference, it's poor form to highjack someone else's thread for your own purposes.

Just so you know.

[sparta28090]

For future reference, it's poor form to highjack someone else's thread for your own purposes.

Just so you know.

Of course it is howya, but a highjack this is not. Suttercain and I trade banter all over from this section to the Superman section. He asks and posts what he wants on my threads and I his.

Due to the fact there is so few writting threads we do this alot and speaking for myself I find no malice or problem at all when he writes or directs whatever he wants on my threads. Now, if he was to tell me that what I am doing is in bad taste then I would of course gladly stop with no hard feelings.

[howyadoin]

Of course it is howya, but a highjack this is not. Suttercain and I trade banter all over from this section to the Superman section. He asks and posts what he wants on my threads and I his.

Due to the fact there is so few writting threads we do this alot and speaking for myself I find no malice or problem at all when he writes or directs whatever he wants on my threads. Now, if he was to tell me that what I am doing is in bad taste then I would of course gladly stop with no hard feelings.Fair enough. You chimed in with a topic that had very little to do with the topic at hand, and generally speaking, that's not cool on this board.

But if he's cool with it, that's his business. I'm just trying to explain the etiquette around here. If you'd done it in a thread of mine, for example, I'd ask one of the moderators to delete it.

Again, just for future reference.

[Brandon Hanvey]

Hi Brandon,

Thanks for the reply. I ordered a sample from two of the sites. Do you know if any place does the 'newspaper' like paper? Not sure what it's called but it's the non-glossy thin paper.

Thanks again.


Most places that use digital copiers use some sort of laser printer paper such as a 28# Hammermill stock since that is what works best in the machines they use. Most will have some "shine" to them but are not glossy except for the covers which tend to be printed on a glossy stock. Most of the shine will actually come from the ink especially if you use a lot of colors and ink coverage.

As for newsprint, it will be hard to find a printer willing to do such a small run on the stock at a reasonable price. It is not a typical stock to run for most PoD printers, and only 50 copies is well below most traditional press printers minimums.

You might be able to find a printer who will do a run on a matte stock which will have less shine to it. But you will probably have to pay more.

[suttercain]

As for newsprint, it will be hard to find a printer willing to do such a small run on the stock at a reasonable price. It is not a typical stock to run for most PoD printers, and only 50 copies is well below most traditional press printers minimums.


Thanks again. I found the company that prints for Image Comics, Transcontinental Printing, and it appears that 50 issues would be too small for a newsprint run. Here is the email they sent me after I wrote an inquiry:

Hello Shannon,

Unfortunatly 50 copies is much too low for the type of equipment we have. you would need to be in the 500 copies range. Sorry.

Good luck and success with your search!

Thanks

So I think newsprint is out of the question for such a small run. Have you used any of the companies you listed earlier and if so, were you happy with the results?

[Brandon Hanvey]

I've used Lulu for my graphic novels that are perfect bound. Since I only used B&W with flat shades of gray, I'm fine with the paper they use and the shine isn't that bad. But for color I could see why they might be on the shiny side.

These are only pitch pieces correct? You might not have to worry about the quality of the paper as much. The publishers would care more about the actual work than what it is printed on.

[suttercain]

These are only pitch pieces correct? You might not have to worry about the quality of the paper as much. The publishers would care more about the actual work than what it is printed on.

Yeah, this is just going to be for a proposal. I may be going over board with a nice comic being printed, but I am old school and think presentation is just as imporatant as content. I may be wrong though.

[howyadoin]

Yeah, this is just going to be for a proposal. I may be going over board with a nice comic being printed, but I am old school and think presentation is just as imporatant as content. I may be wrong though.Probably worth a shot. Don't blow all your money on it, though.

And if it is just a proposal, would black & white be so bad at this point?

[Brandon Hanvey]

Yeah, this is just going to be for a proposal. I may be going over board with a nice comic being printed, but I am old school and think presentation is just as imporatant as content. I may be wrong though.

For most editors, you would be wrong. They can tell work they want to publish as long as it is easy to read. A fancy package might help a little, but for them it's more about whether or not they think the story is good and if they can promote/sell it.

I'm not saying don't put work into a nice submission package. But you may be going a little overboard with actually printing the whole comic. You could just get some really nice affordable laser prints which will work just as well.

Plus you probably don't even have to present the whole comic. Most editors can tell from about 5 to 10 pages whether or not the story/art is going to work for them. If they are on the fence about it, they will ask for more.

A basic sub pack is a cover letter introducing the facts about the comic. A short and concise story summary and some pages of art that best give the editor an idea what the finished product will be like.

[suttercain]

Probably worth a shot. Don't blow all your money on it, though.

And if it is just a proposal, would black & white be so bad at this point?

For most editors, you would be wrong. They can tell work they want to publish as long as it is easy to read. A fancy package might help a little, but for them it's more about whether or not they think the story is good and if they can promote/sell it.

I'm not saying don't put work into a nice submission package. But you may be going a little overboard with actually printing the whole comic. You could just get some really nice affordable laser prints which will work just as well.

Plus you probably don't even have to present the whole comic. Most editors can tell from about 5 to 10 pages whether or not the story/art is going to work for them. If they are on the fence about it, they will ask for more.

A basic sub pack is a cover letter introducing the facts about the comic. A short and concise story summary and some pages of art that best give the editor an idea what the finished product will be like.

Thanks guys. I think you're both right and maybe I'll focus more on a basic proposal without going overboard.

I noticed under most submission guidelines that they want a one-two page summary of the story arc as well as art samples so I'll do that and in the process save some $$$.

Thanks again.

[suttercain]

Just in case anyone is checking this thread out:

So far I have received two samples from Digital Comic Book Printers:

Transcontinental (http://www.transcontinental-printing.com/en/capabilities/default.aspx?idmenu=58)
The paper is very thick, nothing like a comic book you purchase from a shop. The printing quality look very hazy and slightly blurred. Not sure if this was the artist or the printer though. In my opinion the quality is very bad.

I was quoted $350 for 50 issues, full color, 24 pages incl cover.


Ka-Blam (http://www.ka-blam.com/index.php?page=Calculator&op=1)
The paper is thin with a mild gloss. Very close to the quality you find when buying a retail comic. The quality is very sharp and they offer a full color sample page, a gray scale one and a straight black and white. All three look very nice. They also include a color calibration chart so you can match the monitor to the actual paper. Very happy with this sample.

I was quoted $131 for 50 issues, full color, 24 pages incl cover.


ComiXPress (http://www.comixpress.com/)
Got this one about two weeks after requesting it. The cover color and paper seem pretty nice. The inside however feels extremely cheap. Almost like standard laser printer paper you buy at a Staples or Target. The interior was straight black and white. Didn't see any gray scale or color. Not too impressed.

I was quoted $147.41 for 50 issues, full color, 24 pages incl cover.


Overall I found Ka-Blam to be the best value. The customer service got out my sample really quick. The quality sample they sent was by far the best and of course they're the cheapest! Best quality and lowest price?!?!? Can't ask for more.

Hope this helps anyone else trying it.

[howyadoin]

Just in case anyone is checking this thread out:

So far I have received two samples from Digital Comic Book Printers:

Transcontinental (http://www.transcontinental-printing.com/en/capabilities/default.aspx?idmenu=58)
The paper is very thick, nothing like a comic book you purchase from a shop. The printing quality look very hazy and slightly blurred. Not sure if this was the artist or the printer though.Was this printed from files you sent them?

[suttercain]

Was this printed from files you sent them?

No, it was just a stock sample.

[howyadoin]

No, it was just a stock sample.I would say that doesn't bode well, then, if they'd send out something that looks crappy as a sample.

[suttercain]

I would say that doesn't bode well, then, if they'd send out something that looks crappy as a sample.

My thoughts exactly.

[mattx110]

Most places that use digital copiers use some sort of laser printer paper such as a 28# Hammermill stock since that is what works best in the machines they use. Most will have some "shine" to them but are not glossy except for the covers which tend to be printed on a glossy stock. Most of the shine will actually come from the ink especially if you use a lot of colors and ink coverage.

As for newsprint, it will be hard to find a printer willing to do such a small run on the stock at a reasonable price. It is not a typical stock to run for most PoD printers, and only 50 copies is well below most traditional press printers minimums.

You might be able to find a printer who will do a run on a matte stock which will have less shine to it. But you will probably have to pay more.
Umm... we prefer to call it a "Satin Finish High Quality Literature Printing Material".

"matte stock", feh!

[suttercain]

Umm... we prefer to call it a "Satin Finish High Quality Literature Printing Material".

"matte stock", feh!

I wish I could afford the paper.... oh well.

[LewMoxinsghost]

Just in case anyone is checking this thread out:

So far I have received two samples from Digital Comic Book Printers:

Transcontinental (http://www.transcontinental-printing.com/en/capabilities/default.aspx?idmenu=58)
The paper is very thick, nothing like a comic book you purchase from a shop. The printing quality look very hazy and slightly blurred. Not sure if this was the artist or the printer though. In my opinion the quality is very bad.

I was quoted $350 for 50 issues, full color, 24 pages incl cover.


Ka-Blam (http://www.ka-blam.com/index.php?page=Calculator&op=1)
The paper is thin with a mild gloss. Very close to the quality you find when buying a retail comic. The quality is very sharp and they offer a full color sample page, a gray scale one and a straight black and white. All three look very nice. They also include a color calibration chart so you can match the monitor to the actual paper. Very happy with this sample.

I was quoted $131 for 50 issues, full color, 24 pages incl cover.


ComiXPress (http://www.comixpress.com/)
Got this one about two weeks after requesting it. The cover color and paper seem pretty nice. The inside however feels extremely cheap. Almost like standard laser printer paper you buy at a Staples or Target. The interior was straight black and white. Didn't see any gray scale or color. Not too impressed.

I was quoted $147.41 for 50 issues, full color, 24 pages incl cover.


Overall I found Ka-Blam to be the best value. The customer service got out my sample really quick. The quality sample they sent was by far the best and of course they're the cheapest! Best quality and lowest price?!?!? Can't ask for more.

Hope this helps anyone else trying it.

Hey thanks for posting this. Useful info, good to know.