It is quite an exciting journey, right from writing the script to character sketching, and ultimately laying eyes on it in printed form. Once the artwork is ready, finding the right comic book printing service is the next big stride. If you do not know where to begin, this is very overwhelming. In regard to the same, we have compiled a detailed checklist that one may follow in the process to hire comic book printing service.
1. Define Your Printing Requirements Clearly
First, you have to determine what you want. Sit down and decide on the size of your comic book, page count, the type of paper used, and how many copies you eventually will need to print. Do you want glossy or matte? Do you want the size of a regular comic book, or do you want something unique? Your aim is to be clear about these details, so that you may seek a service that suits your needs.
2. Research Potential Printing Services
Once you know what you want, it’s time to look into the different comic book printing services. Look for reviewers of the service who already know about printing comic books, as these guys are already familiar with what a creator such as yourself would need. You want to look at reviews and customer testimonials to get an idea of their reputation.
You may find a service specializing in small runs that will be ideal if you are printing a limited edition or self-publishing. If you want to print more copies, you need a service that can efficiently handle a large print run.
3. Evaluate Their Portfolio
They will have a portfolio showcasing the work they’ve done in the past for a reliable comic book printing service. Take your time to research through their samples and determine their quality of print. Look out for the colors, clarity, and sharpness of the images. Printing errors or inconsistencies should not be observed on the final product.
All I can remember is the first time I printed my comic book; what a surprise to me was the quality difference between only a few printers that I looked at. The one I chose had a great portfolio that assured me they could do exactly what I wanted.
4. See if there is any provision for customization.
Every comic book is unique, and for that reason, you will want a printing service that can offer customization options. Be it the type of cover, the style of binding, or the quality of paper used, your comic should express your creativity. See whether the service offers custom sizes and special finishes such as embossing or spot UV.
For example, one printing service I have worked with gave me an option to include a custom cover with foil stamping. It’s little things like this that make your comic stand out.
5. Understand the Pricing Structure
This brings us to one of the major concerns when engaging with any comic book printing service: the cost. Get a quote that can take all the expenditure into account, item by item. If any fee was attached to the price inclusive of its setting up, proving, or shipping method, let it be known. Compare a number of quotes to make sure you get good value for your money.
Early on, one of the mistakes I have made is not having a complete understanding of pricing, which then led to unexpected costs when that clear breakdown would have kept some extra, now unnecessary costs minimal.
6. Ask about Proofing and Revisions
It therefore makes sense that you review a proof of your comic book prior to committing to the large print run. You get to see a sample of what the final product will look and be able to catch any issues that might be possible. Ask the printing service for any form of proofing and whether or not they allow revisions prior to printing the entire batch.
I specifically remember that the first proof of my comic book had some issues with the color. Thankfully, I could get those corrected through the revision process before the full run, thus saving me from possible disappointment.
7. Turnaround Time Check
Printing times vary widely based on service. You want to know what the printing and delivery timeframes are going to be for your comic in question. This is most important when you have a deadline and need to check whether the service will be able to factor into your schedule.
More so, when one knows whether their work is due that day, this may sufficiently help them in making better preparations and avoiding the last-minute rush.
8. Check out their customer service.
Good customer service can make a huge difference in the experience you will have with the comic book printing service. Investigate how responsive and willing they are to your inquiries and issues. Anything that is ever important is good, clear communication and proactiveness where issues should be resolved.
For instance, the printing service that I selected proved to be very helpful right from the beginning, showing patience with my questions and advising me when needed.
9. Confirm Delivery and Shipping Options
Discuss delivery and shipping options with the printing service you have chosen. Find out how much they will charge for shipping cost and estimated times of delivery. Some of these services would offer tracking for your shipment, which can be helpful.
I’ve had examples where delays in shipment would affect my launch dates. Having an option for reliable shipping with your printing service can avoid that issue altogether.
10. Quality Assurance Measures
Lastly, make certain that the printing service has a strict quality assurance. That is their means of production and how they handle quality control. A good service will have in place ways to ensure each comic book is at a high standard before it goes to shipping for you. One of my projects had quality checks by the printer that prevented a huge problem in binding errors that would have ruined the final product.
Conclusion
Hiring the right service of comic book printing is one of the most important steps to bring your work into a real and polished product. You are sure to get the right service to meet your needs in producing a high-quality final product by following this checklist. Keep in mind your needs and do proper research, considering other factors such as customization options available and customer service. Through this process, you will be able to choose a printing partner for your vision to come alive within a comic book. And if you have any experience or tips in hiring a comic book printing service, please share them with us in the comment box below. Let’s make creating a comic book hassle-free for everyone!.