Printing Your Comic! What You Should Know (POD vs Offset Printing)

What's the difference between print on demand and offset printing and which is right for your comic? I dive into that plus a fun unboxing in this video.
GET THE FREE COMIC MAKER STARTER KIT
www.serkworks....
JOIN ME ON PATREON
/ serkworks
FIND MY BOOKS, T-SHIRTS & TOOLS I USE ON AMAZON
www.amazon.com...
SHOP FOR PRINTS, COMIC, APPAREL AND MAD SCIENCE SUPPLIES
www.serkworks....
SHOP FOR DIGITAL DESIGN TOOLS AND COMICS
www.serkworks....
GET QUALITY DESIGN RESOURCES AT AMAZING PRICES FROM DESIGN CUTS
www.designcuts...
GET AWESOME PRINTS AT CATPRINT
bit.ly/2lZnxT4
TOOLS I USE FOR MAKING COMICS
Prismacolor Col Erase Pencils- amzn.to/2r698Zo
Kuretake Sumi Brush Pen- amzn.to/2rfqVdU
Zebra Fude Brush Pen- amzn.to/2qG5aXD
Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen- amzn.to/2r5PAoa
Copic Markers- amzn.to/2qg5CLf
Bristol Paper- amzn.to/2r6tT7k
Winsor & Newton Series 7 Brush: amzn.to/2vrJAEV
Deleter Black No 5 Ink: amzn.to/2uy2D3M
Wacom Cintiq 24 HD: amzn.to/2usVj8R
Wacom Intous Pro: amzn.to/2vrMiu1
CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE
www.serkworks....
/ serkworks
/ serkworks
/ serkworks
EMAIL ME AT
[e-mail]
#MakingComics101 #HatersHateCreatorsCreate #serkworks #Thee100s
NOTE: This description contains affiliate links to products and items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. While this channel may earn small commission when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thanks for all your support!

[@UNCANNYGEORGE]

Good discussion! I actually just test printed about 30 copies of my book with Comic Impressions and I had a good experience. The book looked great. What drew me to them is they’re reputation, I’d heard a lot of good things from the creators I’d worked with. I also liked that I could view there stuff in a comic shop b/c they’re Scout Comics’ printer.

[@ScottSerkland]

Good to know, thanks I haven’t used them but have heard good things.

[@NightPhoenixPress]

I use Ka-blam and sometimes Greco. I love Ka-blam's quality right now.

[@ScottSerkland]

That’s good to hear. I never had a problem with Kablam’s quality. I mostly had issues with there customer service and delivery time.

[@calvinhennick8583]

We've only used Comix Well Spring so far, and they've been fantastic. In fact, we're expecting shipment of a new book from them today!

[@ScottSerkland]

Awesome, I've only had positive experiences and have only heard great things from others.

[@SalazarArtNation]

This video is timely,I just finished compiling and coloring the pages for my Captain Goggles and Mask Woman comic. I'm just finishing up the inside cover with all the copyright stuff. I'm going to be trying a local printer that specializes in flyers, pamphlets and things like that. I'm aiming for 100 copies, but I am considering a POD like Lulu or KDP for passive Income.

[@ScottSerkland]

Congrats Frank! Will this be your first full color comic?

[@SalazarArtNation]

@@ScottSerkland Yes, full color and a bigger size than the original mini comics,Ash can size.

[@magdielvilchez4286]

Have you ever used kablam? I liked the general quality and speed of printing but had some issues with communicating with them. Love your videos! Keep it up! I like that your able to redo topics and still be incredibly relevant and interesting!

[@ScottSerkland]

I have, however I've had issues with turn-around time, customer service and their website was not at all user friendly. I have been involved in project with other creators how used Kablam and it was a complete disaster, I switched to Comic Well Spring and they have been amazing.

[@magdielvilchez4286]

I know you’ve done a review for art prints too but maybe in an upcoming video you could do a traditional art to print tutorial. Like how to go from a traditionally finished piece to make prints. Most of the stuff out there is digital, so it would be great for the old school pen and ink guys. Keep doing what your doing!

[@nephtaliejalbert]

I have two questions: Would print on demand be good if you're not going to have a store and deal with shipping your books? Also, have you had success in using local print shops to print your comics?

[@ScottSerkland]

I think so. There are a lot of people who order POD books and ship them out when someone orders from their website, Amazon offers author copies at a cheaper price, but you do have to pay for shipping as they are not eligible for Amazon Prime. There my be a work around: If you take orders on you website, then order your KDP books on Amazon then ship them to the address of your customer you can get free Prime shipping. You would want to create a separate listing on Amazon that is listed at a lower price so you can make a profit when taking orders on you website. I hope that makes sense.

[@ScottSerkland]

As far as local print shops , not really I use copy shops for mini comics, but I print my comics though Comic Well Spring and get my prints though Cat Print.

[@franciscopacheco1504]

How about if your ancient and you don't have a computer how would you send them your formats if im doing everything by hand traditionally

[@ScottSerkland]

Unfortunately most printers especially Print on demand printers require digital files. You can still create the work traditionally but you would have to scan it in and maybe find someone to help you format it.

[@gamingwhileitshot8040]

Printing 3k copies makes sense what you're saying but does that apply rightfully to a new published comic? It's a new story. People won't know about it initially. Is it possible for it to become popular in the next two issues where people would want to pick up the lesser known first issue later on and now you can sell those issues that were sitting there.

[@ScottSerkland]

In a traditional publishing scenario where you are distributing to comic book shops and the books come out on a monthly or bi monthly basis then yes people can discover a book on issue two or three and they will seek out number one if they like it. I don’t distribute my books in comic stores. I fund them through kickstarter and sell them on my website so I always have all issues available and people usually pick up issue one first. I also make the previous issues available when I run a kickstarter so if you’re new to the title you can catch up.

[@gamingwhileitshot8040]

@@ScottSerkland Thanks 👍🏽

[@LarsLeonhard]

What are your thoughts on drop-shipping, where the printer also send to the end-user. I am asking because from Denmark with many potential US customers it would be VERY expensive to fulfill a campaign from here...

[@ScottSerkland]

I love the idea of drop shipping, there are some limitations when it comes to add ons etc. but the ability to offer international costumers cheaper shipping is huge. The only reason I don't to it with my comics is that my single issues are too small to qualify for Amazon KDP, however I'm sure there or other options besides Amazon. And I do use drop shipping for larger books and t-shirts etc.

[@LarsLeonhard]

@@ScottSerkland Thanks a lot for the reply and the insights.

[@benlines2987]

What is the book dimensions of The Walking Dead and is it offset printing?

[@ScottSerkland]

Walking Dead is printed at the standard American comic size and is definitely offset printing. Print on demand is usually reserved for very short print runs.

[@benlines2987]

@@ScottSerkland Thank you for your reply. Great to get your feedback! If I was to go with offset printing and it is the avenue i am wanting to go, which offset printer would you recommend? Like ‘Walking Dead’ who was the offset printer that you felt was right for you? Thank you for your comments, Scott!😊

[@benlines2987]

@@ScottSerkland Hi Scott. I have a question in regards to your Walking Dead title for your comic. Does Walking Dead have a trademark or do you just have copyright to it?

[@jaykay98]

Hi! What's the difference between your $35 video call tier, and the $55 video call? Thanks :)

[@ScottSerkland]

Hey Jay, the main difference is the $55 call is on on one, The $35 call is a group call, so your time can be split between others, however there is a chance that only one person shows up on a group call and you end up getting a one on one anyway.

[@jaykay98]

@@ScottSerkland Thanks for the reply Scott, much appreciated!