Comic book printing is a decades-old art and, like the publishing industry in general, has evolved over time. One of the ways it has changed is through the use of slightly thicker, better papers to create books that can hold up longer and be prized collectibles.
Comic book printers know the best practices for printing various types of works and make several paper options available to independent publishers and creators. The best option for your comic or graphic novel depends on your budget and whether you want full color printing.
You are reading: What kind of paper are comic books printed on
black and white printing
Black and white or grayscale comic book printing typically uses #60 matte stock for the sheets of paper inside the book. This paperweight strikes a good balance between affordability and durability. however, some creators choose to use slightly heavier 70# matte paper for durability.
Although some comic book printers use off-white paper to print black and white comics, Comix Bien Spring still prints our black and white comics on bright white paper. this provides crisp, clear lines and makes the book easier to read by providing sharper contrast.
full color printing
Full color printing does not necessarily require heavier paper than black and white printing. Both 60# and 70# matte paper work well for printing comics, and 60# is the standard for single-issue, full-color comics.
Full color comics are sometimes printed on glossy paper, which is usually 80# paper. This heavier paper is a little more expensive, but it adds a beautiful finishing touch to your hard work. Some comic book fans love this type of paper and will appreciate you using it for your work.
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covers
Your cover is the part of the comic that first attracts the reader’s attention and the one that suffers the most wear. comic book printers offer multiple cover stock options for both saddle stitch and square bound books, also known as perfect bound books.
Printers use the term self-cover to describe a comic or other booklet that uses the same type of paper for the cover as for the rest of the book. standard size comics sometimes have a cover of their own, but this is not standard for perfect binding.
At comix well spring, our standard stapled cover stock options are #80 Glossy and Self-Saddle. we also offer upgrades to 80# matte card stock for sketch covers or 100# gloss covers.
square bound books are available in 80# gloss, u.v. 12 pt coated stock and #80 matte sketch covers. These three options look professional and show off your hard work perfectly. u.v. The coating helps the comic book cover hold up even better over time, making it a great investment for collectors who are serious about comic book storage.
comics vs. graphic novels
The default paper option for both single issue comics and square bound graphic novels is 60# paper. however, both graphic novels and comic books can choose to use #70 paper for black and white or #80 glossy paper for full color printing.
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Longer graphic novels may consider both the cost and thickness of the paper when deciding on the type of paper. a 200-page graphic novel on 80# glossy paper will be much thicker and a bit more expensive than the same novel printed on 60# paper, so most artists creating a work that long will stick with the cheaper option.
roles to avoid
Some home or office copy papers are only 20#, making them much more susceptible to wear. this document cannot create a high-quality book for fans to enjoy and re-read for years to come.
Even the thickest copy paper is unsuitable for printing comics, especially full color, because it won’t hold large amounts of ink on both sides without some of the ink showing through. #60 or heavier professional-grade printer paper is the best choice for creating a self-published comic that looks like the creator intended.
Also avoid printing companies that use paper thinner than 60# or don’t specialize in comic book printing. Image printing is a slightly different matter than plain text printing, and even minor differences in paper quality or printing techniques can make your comic look less than perfect.
choose the right options
No matter what paper you choose, you deserve a high-quality product that makes your readers happy. choose a printer that has a reputation for delivering excellent print quality on time.
comix well spring is a subsidiary of greko printing, giving you the knowledge and skills of a comic book specialist with the technical backing of a larger print shop. we produce comics, trading cards and sketches, posters, bookmarks, and even banners and tablecloths that you can use to promote your comics at conventions.
We offer digital and offset printing for comic book creators, and have a minimum order of just 25 copies. use our easy online ordering system to select your paper options and call our customer service line at (734) 345-6852 if you have any questions.
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