Lulu.com?

[Desktop]

I'm in the early stages of a work I'm planning on doing as a webcomic, but would eventualy like to publish as a TPB.

I looked at Lulu.com. Their setup looks good, and the distribution option looks very good, but I'm concerned about price, the average manga costs about $10.00 retail and Lulu's example of a 200pg B&W book is over $10.00 wholesale and over $20.00 recommended retail. That seems "out of the market" on price.

Anyone care to share their opinions on Lulu's quality price and/or service?

(Thank you all in advance)

[MrGranger]

Lulu fills a need. But I wouldn't recommend them to anyone serious about publishing. The quality is good...but just like CafePress, it's more geared for those selling to their Mom & Dad. The same book that costs $8 to make at Lulu will cost you $2-$3 anywhere else.

I have tested Lulu with a few books and I don't see people selling much outside their own market. (Family & Friends) You are better off printing yourself and selling yourself.

[MrGranger]

Check out this thread for ideas on other printers.
http://www.digitalwebbing.com/forums...ad.php?t=91554

[L Jamal]

www.rapidpod.com
www.dreamweaverpress.com
www.comixpress.com

they will all give you squarebound books much less than Lulu.

[Paul Sanderson]

Lulu are best for prose novels or even graphic novels, but not for regular sized comics. They are not cost efficient for those.

[ehobbs]

I've spent the last few weeks putting together a site called COMIC BOOK HUSTLE which will serve as a resource for those looking to self publish comic books and graphic novels.

It is still under heavy construction as I add posts and design the site, however, I am going to start working on a series of articles called the "POD Wars" that will give details on all the POD printers available.

I'm going to test them all with a single book and then report. So far, these are the printers on my list...

Comixpress
Ka-Blam
Rapid POD
Dreamweaver Press
Lulu
Cafe Press

Am I missing anyone? Let me know as I want it to be a pretty comprehensive resource.

I'll be reporting on everything. Customer service. Price. Print quality. Everything.

[Paul Sanderson]

Dimestore is another option. Sounds like a worthy project, good luck with it.

[L Jamal]

Dimestore no longer prints

[innocentboy]

good info

bump

[Paul Sanderson]

Originally Posted by ljamal

Dimestore no longer prints

Oh yes, I'd forgotten that. Well, I'm sure that will change before too long.

[D.J. Coffman]

I bought the Hurricane Relief webcomic book I was in, and I wasnt thrilled with the paper quality on the inside. It was kinda cheap. Cover was nice.

I have a JOe and Monkey collection that was printed there, and it actually feels much better. Maybe it's a size issue, where the bigger the book, the floppier the interior stock?? Something to keep in mind.

[Paul Sanderson]

Where was that, DJ?

[TheReadLine]

I think it's important to note that if you publish with Lulu, you grant them the rights to that work. Some people may not be comfortable with that arrangement.

[Paul Sanderson]

That's been covered before here on the board I recall. It's no different to doing anything with Zazzle, Cafepress etc. etc. You still own your own work. I self published my first novel with Lulu initially, before signing a book contract with Coscom Entertainment to re-publish that novel and subsequent novels. Not a problem at all.

[AIPman1]

Originally Posted by Paul Sanderson

Oh yes, I'd forgotten that. Well, I'm sure that will change before too long.

No, in fact it won't. I have no desire to re-enter the fray, and am going to be concentraiting all my energy into the Distribution area, including finally getting back to Self Publisher! Magazine. I started working the printing scene because there WERE NO ALTERNATIVES at the time I started poking around to have a solution for the SPA. Now there are a solid number of viable solutions, I'm not really feeling the need to broker things anymore, and the time I spent doing so will be better used on other things.