Comic book desktop publishing is a fantastic adventure for enthusiasts who want to test their skills as comic book creators. self-publishing allows you to take control of your creative process. you can decide the arc of the story and represent your characters with creative freedom, allowing you to tell your own story without restrictions.
Due to the growing interest in new indie comics and comic book creators, there’s never been a better time to get involved in the indie comics scene as a self-publisher. Learn everything you need to know about self-publishing comics, including the benefits of self-publishing and the publishing process.
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the benefits of desktop publishing
Although writing and designing comics and graphic novels is a time-consuming job, it can be an extremely rewarding task. Comic book desktop publishing is a simple process made easy with the help of dedicated and experienced comic book printers who provide professional services.
The benefits of self-publishing include faster publishing times, complete creative control, and increased performance of your creative project.
faster post times
The development of specialized digital templates, software and printing techniques has made desktop publishing more affordable than ever. Once you write and illustrate your book and get it ready for print, you can market and sell your comic in a matter of days. you don’t have to wait for a traditional publisher to decide when to launch your project.
full control
Self-publishing allows you to make all the decisions about the layout and content of your comic. you can make changes when something isn’t working or keep things you don’t want to delete. This is in contrast to traditional publishing approaches, which may force you to change your work to meet someone else’s criteria.
If you’re working with a major publisher, agents, editors, and a creative team will be looking at your work for elements that don’t fit current trends. if you are asked to delete something, you may have to change your work and lose vital elements that make your story unique. By self-publishing, you maintain control over your work, allowing you to stay true to your original vision.
greater return
One of the most desirable benefits of being a self-published comic book creator is keeping all the profits made from sales. Writers who go the traditional route receive a small percentage of the proceeds from sales, usually around 15% for a paperback. As a self-published writer, all profits are yours once you print the books.
As a first-time comic book writer, it’s a challenge to make a name for yourself. You can cultivate your name and style recognition by publishing a comic yourself. Building a reputation builds traction and helps you sell more of your books and develop a fan base.
the desktop publishing process: writing and planning
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If you’re new to the writing process, you may want to plan on a short series or even a one-volume graphic novel. creating comics can take a long time, and even a short series can take much longer than expected. getting used to the process can help you make a higher quality book for your readers.
It’s important not to go on too long, especially if this is your first time creating self-published comics. overcommitting yourself to a long, complex series can leave you exhausted or burnt out. instead, opt for a short series and consider expanding it with additional issues or volumes as your audience grows.
Consider partnering with a freelance writer, comic book artist, or other creators to work on the story. If your artistic skills aren’t up to par with the story you want to tell, working with an illustrator can be the key to creating an engaging, clear, and fun-to-read comic. many comics authors work with creative partners throughout their careers to see their projects through to completion.
designing your comic
Once you’ve written and outlined a comic, you need to make sure it conforms to your printer’s specifications and layout templates. If you choose a stand-alone printer like Comix Well Spring, you will have to make important decisions regarding size, paper type, binding type, and color.
To choose the right size for your comic, consider industry standards. the industry standard size for a comic is 6.625” x 10.25”; however, some books come in sizes as small as 5.5” x 7.75” to books as large as 9” x 12”. Regardless of book size, all essential text and images should remain at least 0.125” within the margin to ensure nothing is cut off during printing.
You can print in full color or opt for black and white. color printing is more expensive but generally makes a more significant impression on readers. you can also choose a full color cover with black and white inner pages.
At Comix Well Spring, our standard comics use uncoated inner stock with a cover paper printed on a glossy cover card. We also offer a range of additional paper types to meet your needs. it may also include an aluminum, laminated, or extra-gloss (UV-resistant) cover to minimize color fading.
there are several options available for binding. the (perfect) square binding is created with binding glue and is ideal for larger comics. Perfectly bound books are durable and professional-looking, but they are typically more expensive to create. the saddle stitch (staple) is a more cost-effective binding option for producing a comic book. this method uses small wire staples and is suitable for books up to 64 pages.
the printing process
Once the design phase is complete, it’s time to make sure your artwork fits the design template you’ve chosen. this involves making sure your images fit within the dimensions of the book size you’ve selected and making sure you’re happy with your book cover.
Plan your template before you put a lot of work into ink and lettering, as you may need to modify the artwork to fit the page. When you are happy with the template and have sent us a PDF of your comic, Comix Well Spring offers you the option of receiving a physical or digital proof to review and check for printing errors. this is an essential part of the process as it is the last time to review the job before printing.
order books
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If you’re new to self-publishing and haven’t made a name for yourself yet, you may want to order smaller print runs rather than spend too much money up front. Fortunately, Comix Well Spring offers print-on-demand services with a minimum order quantity of 25 for staple-bound comics and bound paperbacks. this allows independent artists to keep production costs down while increasing their readership.
Once you’ve placed your print order, it normally takes 14 days to print and ship your new comics. Shipping times can also vary depending on which area of the country you live in, so it’s important to allow enough time for both production and shipping. We offer expedited production and shipping options so your books get to comic book conventions on time and sell out at comic book stores.
marketing and promotion of your self-published comic
Marketing a comic isn’t as simple as setting up social media accounts and paying for ads. independent comics are a niche market, and you’ll have to be really active in the broader comics community to get noticed by comics fans.
Visiting comic book conventions is a great way to get exposure. Setting up a table at a convention allows comics to directly engage with you and your work, which is a great way to gain new readers. You can also share a table with other independent creators to team up and get noticed. Make sure you’re visible with a retractable banner stand displaying your art and comic title.
Even established freelance authors can have a hard time turning a profit at first, so don’t spend too much money on marketing early on. instead, rely on word of mouth and build your following organically. You can even connect and collaborate with other artists and writers to reach a larger audience. forums like the comics resource community can help you network with other comics fans and potential new readers.
the self-publishing journey
Being a freelance creator and designing your first comic is a project you’re passionate about, especially early on for comic artists without significant backing. Indie creators may have a hard time getting noticed at first, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. the fun of independent publishing often comes from developing a relationship with readers who are passionate about comics.
At comix well spring, we work hard to provide a quick and easy system for printing your comics. You can have your comic within two weeks when you use Comix Well Spring to upload digital files, select your design customization options, and sign your proofs.
Our low minimum order quantity makes us a leader in independent comic book printing, whether you’re new to desktop publishing or looking for a new publisher for your existing projects.
If self-publishing a comic book is something you’ve always dreamed of, call us today at (734) 927-0044 to find out how to get started.
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