Which printer should I use?

Jeffbot · 01-08-2009, 03:21 PM

Hi all,

I'm looking to print a standard size, 28-page full color comic. I'm hoping to lean a little on the expertise of others and ask for suggestions when it comes to a printer. I'm planning on distributing through Diamond, and I'm not really looking for PoD services, as I imagine I'll be printing over 1,000 copies.

As far as paper stock goes, I'll admit that I'm a little lost in this area. I want it to look professional without being ridiculously and prohibitively expensive. I mean, I'd love for the book to come out looking like it was printed at Image or Dark Horse, but I don't know A) what kind of paper stock they use, or B) how much money I'm going to be dumping into that area of the costs.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!

Mecha · 01-12-2009, 05:37 PM

Lebonfon is what I used for a 1000 run of a graphic novel. I can't remember exactly what stock we went with but they have 3-5 different kinds of interior stock, as well as choices in cover stocks too.

fizz-ed · 01-12-2009, 06:17 PM

I can second Lebonfon and also recommend Transcontinental.

I would contact as many printers as possible for quotes. I've primarily used the above two companies, but always try to get 3 or 4 quotes from others. In some cases Lebonfon has had better prices and other times Transcontinental has. It all depends on the stocks and job.

In regards to paper stocks, just let them know which books you like and they can generally match the paper stocks. OR ask them which publishers they've printed for and go out to the comic shops and check out the books. Find one you like and let them know that that is what you're after.

Gilby · 01-12-2009, 11:25 PM

I'll also recommend Lebonfon. They printed our graphic novel, Charlatan: Preludes , and did a great job--we have received a lot of kudos about the quality of the book. Additionally, they also were very good about communicating with us throughout the process.

Jeffbot · 03-02-2009, 04:24 PM

This was really helpful, guys. I appreciate the info!

A quick question about Transcontinental - do they have an e-mail address that I can write to in requesting a quote? All I'm coming up with are phone numbers, and I'm not entirely sure that - gulp - someone who speaks English will answer the phone. French seems to be the language of choice, looking at the site...

Max Romaine · 04-04-2009, 07:31 PM

I looked up Lebonfon and Transcontinental and noticed that they're both in Canada. Is there some benefit to going with a Canadian printer? Can anyone recommend some good printers in the US? Not that I have a problem going with a Canadian company. I was just curious. I have a book I'm working on that will need to go to print soon so I'm on the lookout for a good and inexpensive printer.

~Max Romaine
________________
View My Art:
http://maxromaine.deviantart.com

Max Romaine · 04-04-2009, 07:33 PM

P.S.: I've heard a lot of people talk about Ka-Blam. Are they good?

~Max Romaine
________________
View My Art:
http://maxromaine.deviantart.com

NewBabyProd · 04-04-2009, 10:17 PM

I would recommend Sunray Printing (http://www.sunrayprinting.com/) if you are going to go the non-POD route. I just used them to print issues #4-6 of our mini-series and I am very happy with the results and their level of professionalism. They are looking to get more into the comic book printing arena and will probably be set up at some of the cons this year. If you contact them for a quote, make sure to tell them that I sent you their way.

Eric Mullarky, Publisher
New Baby Productions

JAQ · 04-05-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Romaine

I looked up Lebonfon and Transcontinental and noticed that they're both in Canada. Is there some benefit to going with a Canadian printer?

I suspect that the use of Canadian printers started due to an exchange rate or other economic factors that made Canada cheaper than domestic printing. (Kind of like you can often save money having it done in China today.) Now it's simply because that's where the major comics printers are.

JAQ · 04-05-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Romaine

P.S.: I've heard a lot of people talk about Ka-Blam. Are they good?

For print-on-demand. But if you're planning to do a bulk order (e.g. 1000 copies), a traditional offset printer would probably be more economical.

01-08-2009, 03:21 PM	#1
Jeffbot The THING! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brownsville, PA Posts: 156	Which printer should I use? Hi all, I'm looking to print a standard size, 28-page full color comic. I'm hoping to lean a little on the expertise of others and ask for suggestions when it comes to a printer. I'm planning on distributing through Diamond, and I'm not really looking for PoD services, as I imagine I'll be printing over 1,000 copies. As far as paper stock goes, I'll admit that I'm a little lost in this area. I want it to look professional without being ridiculously and prohibitively expensive. I mean, I'd love for the book to come out looking like it was printed at Image or Dark Horse, but I don't know A) what kind of paper stock they use, or B) how much money I'm going to be dumping into that area of the costs. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!

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01-12-2009, 05:37 PM	#2
Mecha Freelance Inker Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Great Northwest Posts: 2,034	Lebonfon is what I used for a 1000 run of a graphic novel. I can't remember exactly what stock we went with but they have 3-5 different kinds of interior stock, as well as choices in cover stocks too.

01-12-2009, 06:17 PM	#3
fizz-ed Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 237	I can second Lebonfon and also recommend Transcontinental. I would contact as many printers as possible for quotes. I've primarily used the above two companies, but always try to get 3 or 4 quotes from others. In some cases Lebonfon has had better prices and other times Transcontinental has. It all depends on the stocks and job. In regards to paper stocks, just let them know which books you like and they can generally match the paper stocks. OR ask them which publishers they've printed for and go out to the comic shops and check out the books. Find one you like and let them know that that is what you're after.

01-12-2009, 11:25 PM	#4
Gilby Writer/Creator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Jinjurverse Posts: 316	I'll also recommend Lebonfon. They printed our graphic novel, Charlatan: Preludes , and did a great job--we have received a lot of kudos about the quality of the book. Additionally, they also were very good about communicating with us throughout the process.

03-02-2009, 04:24 PM	#5
Jeffbot The THING! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brownsville, PA Posts: 156	This was really helpful, guys. I appreciate the info! A quick question about Transcontinental - do they have an e-mail address that I can write to in requesting a quote? All I'm coming up with are phone numbers, and I'm not entirely sure that - gulp - someone who speaks English will answer the phone. French seems to be the language of choice, looking at the site...

04-04-2009, 07:31 PM	#6
Max Romaine Artist, musician, lunatic Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hell. Lower East Side. Posts: 111	I looked up Lebonfon and Transcontinental and noticed that they're both in Canada. Is there some benefit to going with a Canadian printer? Can anyone recommend some good printers in the US? Not that I have a problem going with a Canadian company. I was just curious. I have a book I'm working on that will need to go to print soon so I'm on the lookout for a good and inexpensive printer. ~Max Romaine ________________ View My Art: http://maxromaine.deviantart.com

04-04-2009, 07:33 PM	#7
Max Romaine Artist, musician, lunatic Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hell. Lower East Side. Posts: 111	P.S.: I've heard a lot of people talk about Ka-Blam. Are they good? ~Max Romaine ________________ View My Art: http://maxromaine.deviantart.com

04-04-2009, 10:17 PM	#8
NewBabyProd Publisher Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bloomfield Twp, MI Posts: 178	I would recommend Sunray Printing (http://www.sunrayprinting.com/) if you are going to go the non-POD route. I just used them to print issues #4-6 of our mini-series and I am very happy with the results and their level of professionalism. They are looking to get more into the comic book printing arena and will probably be set up at some of the cons this year. If you contact them for a quote, make sure to tell them that I sent you their way. Eric Mullarky, Publisher New Baby Productions