How to Make a Comic Book with Kickstarter and Mixam
Learn how to make your own comic book with our complete guide here.
Turning your comic book idea into a reality is an exciting step for any creator. You've built your world, developed your characters, and poured your creativity into every panel. But when it comes to actually printing it, it’s easy to feel unsure about the next steps. That’s where Mixam’s latest partnership with Kickstarter can help.
Who is Mixam?
Mixam is more than just a printing company - we’re a tech business helping creators worldwide produce outstanding comic books, graphic novels, zines, and other printed products. Thousands trust us to deliver high-quality, custom prints without the usual stress or guesswork. From selecting your paper type to uploading your files, we simplify every step of the process, giving you the tools to make your own comic book on your terms. By combining Kickstarter’s crowdfunding power with Mixam’s printing expertise, we’re making it easier than ever to create, share, and ship prints to your backers.
Kickstarter Staff
Why print your comic book with Mixam?
We know that printing can feel like a daunting part of the journey. But Mixam gives you everything you need to make printing online smooth and efficient.
- Instant free quotes: Our Instant Quote Calculator offers transparent pricing and provides a wide range of print options, enabling you to create custom comic books that you and your backers will love.
- Free downloadable templates and design tools: Once you’ve chosen your specifications, you can download a PDF template to use as an underlay in your preferred design program, or you can create print-ready files with our time-saving Design Online tool.
- Expert print support: From file setup to finishes, our team is on hand to offer support and guidance whenever you need it over chat, email and phone.
- Production methods: Bulk printing is an effective way to increase sales, boost brand awareness, and build lasting relationships with backers. This method offers wide-ranging customization options and has the advantage of wholesale pricing, meaning you get the most cost-effective price per copy. It also includes fast turnaround times thanks to quicker setup costs.
Additionally, Mixam’s print-on-demand service, PrintLink, is ideal for those ready to sell their work without the need for inventory management and upfront costs. In the US, we can ship bulk comic book orders to any address in the country, and international shipping is available for PrintLink, so wherever your readers are, we’ve got you covered.
But don’t just take our word for it - here’s what real customers had to say about our comic book printing service on Trustpilot:
“The print quality was amazing! My comic was full of dark colors and a lot of details, and it came out crisp, legible, and professional looking!” - Hayley
“Very fast and affordable. Since my comic was optimized for web viewing, they did a mirror bleed border that helped keep the integrity of the comic and make it work for printing. Their template for graphic novels was also very intuitive. Very happy with their service.” - C.s
“I highly recommend! These comic books come out to perfection!!” - Vanessa
Kickstarter Staff
How does Mixam print comic books?
1. File Preparation (Pre-flight): Before printing, we check your files to make sure everything is ready. This process includes converting colors, flattening transparencies, and embedding fonts. We also look out for low-resolution images or small text that might not print clearly. Once everything looks good, we add trim marks and arrange the pages into a print-ready layout.
2. Printing: We print the inner pages and covers on large sheets of paper. This method helps reduce waste and lowers energy use during the process.
3. Cover Lamination: If your cover includes a lamination, we apply a thin plastic layer using heated rollers. It adds a smooth, protective coating to your book.
4. Trimming: Next, we trim the printed sheets to the final size using high-precision cutting equipment, giving your comics clean, neat edges.
5. Binding: The inner pages are bound to the cover. Depending on the type of binding you choose, such as perfect binding, the book may require some time to set and dry.
6. Final Check and Packaging: We inspect the final prints for quality before carefully packing them for delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare my comic book files for printing?
Ensure you have checked the following before uploading your files to a pending order:
- Do all files include bleed?
- Are all files in CMYK color mode?
- Do all files have a 300dpi resolution?
- Are all files the correct size?
- Do all files have the correct orientation? (i.e. portrait vs landscape)
- Does your page quantity match the number of files you’ve created? (i.e., if your book contains 48 pages, do you have 48 files to fill the pages?)
- Have you embedded all fonts?
- Have you designed files according to the binding?
- Is important content positioned away from the trim edges and binding line?
- If your files include page numbers, do they appear in the same position and in the correct order?
- If applicable, have you created a spine file?
For more helpful tips and how to avoid common issues, check out Mixam’s Preparing for Print guide.
What paper type should I use for my comic book?
Paper choice plays a big role in how your comic book looks and feels. At Mixam, we offer several high-quality options, so you can pick the one that complements your story best. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
What’s the difference between perfect bound and saddle-stitched?
Perfect-bound comic books are made by gluing the pages together along the spine and then attaching them to a cover. This method works well for comics with low and high page counts. Saddle-stitched comic books are folded and held together with two staples along the fold. This option is best for comics with fewer pages and is ideal for full-spread artwork with minimal disruption across the center.
What’s the difference between a paperback and a hardcover?
Paperbacks have soft, flexible covers made from thick paper or cardstock, making them lightweight and easy to carry around. Hardcovers, on the other hand, have sturdy, rigid covers made from cardboard wrapped in printed paper, giving them a more solid, durable feel. Paperbacks are perfect if you want something affordable, quick to produce, and budget-friendly with low shipping costs. Hardcovers feel a bit more special - they’re tougher, have a high-end look, and are often chosen for keepsakes or books meant to last a long time.
Can I print both color and black-and-white pages?
Yes, if your comic is entirely black and white, select 'Grayscale Printing' on the Instant Quote Calculator. But if your comic has any color pages, even if most are black and white, select Color Printing.
Can I print just one comic book to test the quality?
Yes - printing a single copy is a great way to see how your comic looks in print. It gives you the chance to check colors, layout, and paper choices before placing a whole order.
Kickstarter Staff
How To Make A Comic Book with Mixam
- Start by registering an account with Mixam, and enter the code: KSSMX in the Invite Code field.
- Follow Mixam’s step-by-step instructions on our support page: Ordering With Mixam, and download Mixam’s Book Printing Guide for a comprehensive overview.
- When you’ve added an item(s) to your cart, enter the code: Kickstarter5 in the Discount Code field at checkout for 5% off your first order before uploading your files.
Ready to Get Started?
Register an account on Mixam’s website today and get 5% off your first order. For instant print support, visit Mixam’s website and talk to our print experts via chat. For Kickstarter-related questions, visit Kickstarter Support.
