What To Do If Your Comic Book Printer Suddenly Closes
Don't let an unexpected printing disruption derail your campaign. Here's how to find a new comic book printer, communicate with backers, and keep your project moving.
For comic creators, printing is one of the final milestones before your project reaches backers. After months of writing, illustrating, crowdfunding, and preparing files, it's the moment your work becomes a physical book.
Unfortunately, unexpected disruptions can happen. A printer may pause operations, experience production delays, or close unexpectedly, leaving creators searching for a new partner with little notice. If your project has been affected, you're not alone.
While changing printers can be stressful, there are steps you can take to keep your campaign moving and maintain your backers' confidence.
Step 1: Update your backers as soon as possible
If your production timeline changes, communicate with your backers early.
You don't need to have every answer immediately. Let supporters know what happened, how it may affect fulfillment, and what you're doing to get production back on track. Most backers understand that manufacturing challenges happen, especially when they're outside a creator's control. Clear, proactive communication helps build trust and sets realistic expectations.
Once you've selected a new printer and have an updated production schedule, follow up with another project update so everyone knows what to expect.
Step 2: Contact multiple comic book printers
If you're working against a deadline, don't wait to contact just one printer.
Request quotes from several companies at the same time. Turnaround times, pricing, minimum order quantities, and available production capacity can vary significantly, particularly during busy convention and holiday seasons.
Members of the Kickstarter comics community have recommended the following printers for creators looking for domestic, small-run comic book printing. You can also explore the Kickstarter Partner Directory to find trusted printing, manufacturing, and fulfillment providers with experience supporting crowdfunding campaigns.
Colorvision
- Phone: 1-800-543-6299
- Contact: colorvisionprinting.com/contact-us
Comic Impressions
- Contact: comicimpressions.com/contact-us
Mixam
- Email: team@mixam.com
- Phone: +1 888 510 1456
Walsworth
- Contact: walsworth.com/contact-us
Step 3: Be prepared to adjust your timeline
Changing printers may require updated proofs, revised production schedules, or new shipping estimates.
If your fulfillment timeline changes, it's better to communicate a realistic delivery window than to promise a date you're unlikely to meet. Backers generally appreciate transparency and consistent updates more than overly optimistic estimates.
Moving forward
Production challenges are never part of the plan, but they don't have to derail your project.
By communicating openly with your backers, reaching out to multiple printing partners, and adjusting your timeline when needed, you can keep your campaign moving forward and get your books into readers' hands.
The Kickstarter comics community has always been built on creators helping creators. We hope these recommendations make it a little easier to navigate an unexpected printing disruption and take the next step toward fulfillment.
Images via iStock.
