Choosing the suitable printing method for your comic book is crucial. There are many different options available, each with its unique benefits.
For example, glossy paper can make colors pop and offers a high-quality finish ideal for superhero comics. On the other hand, matte paper can give a more subtle and subdued look.
Decide on the Paper
The type of paper used for custom comic book printing can significantly affect its aesthetic. It can provide a glossy surface that enhances the colors and makes them pop or a matte finish that offers a more subdued appearance while reducing glare and providing a more sophisticated look. It can also offer a natural and textured feel that complements a more rustic or vintage style.
The size of the paper can also influence how your comic book looks. The standard funny book size is 11×17, but you can draw the art more significantly than that. You can find pads of bristol board that are pre-ruled for borders and bleeds and have markings for standard panel measurements, which is convenient if you’re working on a tight deadline.
Your printer can recommend the best paper for your project and provide samples to compare. It’s common for comic books to use different paper for the cover and inside pages, with glossy coated stock for the cover and uncoated stock for the inside pages. This gives the comic a more polished, professional look and allows the artwork to stand out.
Decide on the Binding
Once your script and storyboard are completed, it’s time to turn your narrative into dynamic illustrations. This is when you can bring your characters to life with captivating visuals that grab and hold the reader’s attention.
The paper quality of your comic book will significantly impact the overall experience. It will enhance the pleasure of flipping through each page, influence the display of amusing points (also known as squiggles), and contribute to its unique artistic style.
To maximize the impact of your artwork, use high-quality white paper and avoid using any CMYK tones (use only pure K). If you must use CMYK, ensure it is set to zero before printing your pages. This will ensure that your printed whites are crisp and clean.
The binding type you choose will also depend on the size of your book and the number of pages. A saddle stitch is an excellent option for shorter comic books as it is relatively inexpensive and allows the book to lie flat when opened. A perfect binding is usually the best choice for longer books as it provides a more durable finish and can support a more significant number of pages.
Decide on the Colors
Whether you opt for full-color or black-and-white printing, the colors used in your comic can significantly influence how readers perceive the story and character. The right colors can create a mood and atmosphere, add visual interest to the panel, and draw the reader’s attention to specific elements in your artwork.
Choosing colors that complement each other and provide a smooth gradation of tone and saturation is essential. Color can also add depth to a scene and help establish a sense of perspective and distance. It’s also helpful to consider your color palette for the theme and genre of your comic and use it to guide your choices.
Another consideration when choosing your colors is the paper stock. Different paper stocks offer a range of aesthetics, from matte to glossy and everything in between. A glossy paper can make the colors on your pages pop, while a matte coating offers a more subdued look and reduces glare. Also, be sure to take the thickness and durability of your cover into account when deciding on the correct paper type.
Decide on the Cover
The cover is the keystone to your comic book’s appeal and is vital in connecting with readers. With many similar comics on the newsstand, your cover must stand out like a siren’s call to lure in potential buyers.
Once you’ve decided on the paper type and binding, it’s time to choose a cover. You will want to put the main character, villain, or hero on the cover and ensure the art is clear and well-defined. This will help readers recognize the comic as quickly as possible and create a sense of intrigue.
When choosing a cover, be sure to take into account the page count of your comic book. Remember that when submitting your manuscript to printers, each sheet within the book represents two pages, so you will need to provide a total page count. If you need to, request paper samples from your printer before making a final decision. You may prefer a matte or glossy cover or combine a coated cover with uncoated inside pages.
Decide on the Printer
Choosing the right printer for your comic book is essential. You want a company with experience printing comic books and a record of producing high-quality work. Finding a company that offers proof is also necessary, allowing you to see how your book will look before it goes to print.
Lastly, knowing how many pages your comic book will be is essential. This will help the printer calculate how much paper is needed to produce the book. To make this easier, you should use the number of sheets rather than pages when relaying the page count to the printer.
When preparing your comic for print, it is essential to ensure that the text and images are correctly sized and positioned on each page. It would help if you also left large margins around the edges of each page, as this will prevent any images or text from being cut off during the printing process. You should also ensure that your colors are correctly converted from RGB to CMYK, which will help ensure they print accurately.
