Printing Options...

I think it really depends on why you do the comics in the first place. If its your hobby or you're just doing it for fun, I think the self-printing option would serve best. It's by far, the fastest and perhaps the cheapest way to do it. However, if you are very serious about putting out a product that you could sell, promote, or use as portfolio/submission, then go for the gusto.

While I find nothing wrong with mini-comics/ashcan editions, there is always a stigma about them. It's unavoidable for many, and it may even be worse for the studios when they get them in the mail. There's just so many bad mini-comics out there with sloppy layouts and untrimmed edges, it really smacks of amateur night. But, I do have some mini-comics that are amazingly good, not naming names, you know who you are. While story is still king, the medium on which their printed still matters. A little extra here and there can go a long way in presentation.

On the other hand, printing on good paper at full size instantly makes your book look more professional. When submitting to a studio who only prints on standard sizes, it helps them to see more or less what the final product will become.

Now, I've also heard that alot of pro-artists at cons will make their own little sketchbooks or 'passports' to make some coinage. They're usually in mini-comic or slightly smaller than standard size and they sometimes go for 10 american bucks. For about 1.50 worth of printing, you can see why they do it. They give the fans what they want and they see a sizable return. But they have a celebrity-status and reputation that we don't. So that's not really a feasible option for indy creators.

So like I've said, it really boils down to why you're doing the comics in the first place. If its a hobby, you probably wouldn't do a huge expensive book with a run of 1000. You'll be stuck with a huge tab wondering why you did it in the first place, whereas a mini-comic is less-risky and does have a gitchy kind of quality.

As far as Comixpress goes, Mr. Johnny and we, ordered some Ronin Studios stuff both to check the quality of the print and what Ronin could produce. The comic printing itself was pretty well done. I wasn't too crazy about the cover paper though, it was between fax paper and a glossy poster. I'd prefer either the same paper as the interiors or straight-out cardstock. They don't have better unit-prices on larger print runs, but the printing and trimming looks professional. I do think that Comixpress is good in the sense that they'll handle online sales and shipping for you, but when you do the math, don't do an entire print run through them. You'll pay through the nose for customs and shipping. And to be honest, their prices could be better now that i've seen the quality of print. They really do seem to cater to internet sales as they'll solicit any book you send with a minimum print run of one copy.

As for domestic options, you'd be better off doing printruns at places like Quebecor or even you're friendly neighbourhood printshop. Work on some math to find out how much you're willing to pay for a book and whether or not you can cover the printing costs back with a little profit left over. There's always more costs, like conventions, travelling and art supplies, that is all legimate overhead when it comes to the business of comics. There's a reason why they say, don't quit your day job. Printing is definately more of the business aspect of comics.

That's all I got for now.

-Vince-

I used to use Kinko's for all my small-run comics.

Then at a convention in the States someone hit me up to print my comics -- DreamWeaver Press. www.dreamweaverpress.com

For $105.00 USD I got 25 perfect bound, 28-page comics with glossy color cover, no inside cover, and quality b&w interiors. Not only was it CHEAPER than Kinko's (price per unit is about $5 US after shipping costs as opposed to $10 CDN per unit AND I had to do all my own collating, scoring and stapling) but it was less effort, looked more professional and was basically just a JOY to behold.

Now I'm wondering if there's a CANADIAN company the does perfect binding with such joyous, email-us-the-.pdf ease with small print runs.

How many issues of round one did you end up printing?