1. Comic book publishers should understand comic book collectors terms.
2. Understand the work of the comic book designer by knowing the terminology.
3. Know comic book publishing services terms and lingo.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get to know comic book publishers key terms by knowing the world of comic book collecting

Understanding the target audience of comic books or graphic novels is essential to comic book publications. Knowing how your finished product will be graded, the rankings of comic books already on the market and how popular characters are viewed by collectors is essential to assessing your own publications. Peer blogs and collector websites are a great way to understand the terms, language and slang of the collectors of your product.

I recommend: The Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide provides a down to earth glossary of terms used to grade comic books by comic book collectors. VideoJug offers a neat little online video tutorial with the basic comic book collecting terminology.

Comprehend the basic layout and fundamental design elements for comic book publishing

Being able to communicate your needs as a comic book publisher to comic book illustrators using their terminology and language is key to the success of your finished product. Although you don't need to know every term the graphic artist learned in college, it is important to make sure you use the same terms to describe the same things. Awareness of the latest in comic book lingo will make your life as a publisher much easier.

I recommend: Teachingcomics.org offers a basic and printable layout of a comic strip with an explanation of the composition of the page, including printing and design terms, in its handout The Creation of a Page: Tutorial and Guide. Though designed for students, the International Reading Association offers a great explanation of comic book layout and design terms that even those in the field will find useful.

Acquire a solid foundation in comic book publishing terminology

Despite the specifics involved in comic book publishing, publishers of comic books need to know the key terms, slang and lingo of the publishing world in general, too. Understanding the terms of both the digital and print publishing world is essential for a well rounded knowledge of publishing.

I recommend: PrintUSA.com offers a detailed but easy to follow glossary of printing terminology that applies to both the virtual and print world. Rainwater Press has a glossary of over a thousand terms used by publishers, printers, writers and graphic designers that are essential for comic book publishers to know.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take the time to know the names of the major comic book publishing companies, including popular independent comic book publishers. This way you won't be caught out not knowing the name and stats for one of your major competitors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read the comic book publishers' 'classic' works online

It's no longer necessary to keep a large comic book collection to read the early pulse-pounding adventures of your favorite superhero. Digital subscription services let you see how your favorite character developed, or just let you read those stories you somehow missed the first time around.

I recommend: Marvel Digital Comics offers the first run of X-Men and the first 100 issues of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four, along with other classic and new Marvel titles, in an ad-free format readable from any computer with Internet access. Monthly and annual subscriptions are available.

Target the comic book publishers who accept submissions

While several comic book publishers work exclusively in-house, many of the smaller houses will take submissions from new writers and artists, as occasionally will some of the big names.

I recommend: Marvel and Dark Horse Comics both accept submissions accompanied by a submissions agreement. Dark Horse further offers artists and inkers sample scripts and sketches they can use to showcase their talents; fans can also work for their comic book store chain, Things From Another World. Slave Labor Graphics offers free internships to aspiring writers and artists looking to become employees and posts its submissions guidelines on its website. Image Comics is the publisher for creators looking to retain the rights to their characters to visit, however, as almost all their titles are creator-owned, but its contributors to have a complete comic from which their submission is excerpted.

Network with comic book publishers at comic book conventions

Conventions are more than just places to have a good time seeing female fans dressed as Wonder Woman or Vampirella or buy replicas of the Batcave. Just as in the rest of the business world, they're good places to put talented people together with the people who can use their talent.

I recommend: DC Comics conducts its Talent Search program for new comic book artists solely through the comic book conventions its staff members attend. After Hours Press accepts submissions by email, but prefers to see complete works submitted at conventions. Major comic book conventions include Comic-Con International in San Diego (and the affiliated Alternative Press Expo and Wonder-Con in San Francisco), the New York Comic Con, Fallcon in Minneapolis, the semiannual Comic Book Show in Nashua, NH and Los Angeles’ monthly Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

Publish a comic book yourself

Dedicated comic book printing services have sprung up to allow fledgling comic book writers and artists to put their works before the public without facing the rejection or constraints of the major comic book publishers. Some on-demand book publishers also deal in comic books. Having your own comic book in print can help you sell your work to comic book publishers at conventions, particularly those who like to see complete comics.

I recommend: Harold Buchholz Print Services prints black and white comics with full-color covers on demand in trade paperback form in runs as small as 50 copies. SIPS Comics, a division of South Island Printing Services, permits uploading a zip file of the comic on its FTP site, ships proofs by next-day air or FedEx, and offers such promotional items as magnets, stickers, posters, flyers, art prints and transfers. On-demand publishers such as Blitzprint, Trafford and BookSurge also handle comic books, with BookSurge offering distribution through online channels such as Amazon.com and Baker & Taylor.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check to see first whether the comic book publisher you plan to submit to is accepting submissions. Not all do; some publishers may or may not accept submissions according to their current production schedule. If they do, follow the submission guidelines to the letter. The place to be creative is in your submission, not in how you submit it.

1. Choose good quality papers for quality comic book publishing.
2. Save time in comic book publishing companies with the latest in publishing software.
3. Consider outsourcing comic book printing services to save money on in house equipment

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose acid-free printing paper to green your comic book printing

A forward thinking comic book publisher always thinks ahead. Consider acid free paper to entice comic book collectors to your product. Less deterioration means collectors would need to spend less money on preservation of the product.

I recommend: The Paper Mill Store offers a range of sizes of 70 lb text paper which is perfect for comic book printing. They offer a range of acid free paper that is perfectly suited for comic book collectors. They also list the different types of paperweights, brands, and types on the market today. Paper.com also offers acid free text paper for comic books and digital printing. They take the time to educate customers on the different types and uses of each type of paper on their site.

Purchase comic book publishing company software to upgrade the quality of your comic book

Successful comic book publishing companies utilize the latest design and publishing software to keep their product competitive and easily formatted to the variety of available mediums.

I recommend: PC World offers a free download and trial of the latest comic book creator software for trial and eventual purchase. Adobe Systems has software called InDesign CS4, which is ideal for both online and offline publishing. PC magazine allows you to search the archived reviews of both of the above software to help you make an informed decision as well as review any other software you are interested in.

Choose quality and affordable comic book printing services to save on in house supply costs

Publishers of comic books should consider having their comic book printed by a specialist printer will not only save on in house printing equipment, it will save you the headache of that final step. When your comic book is formatted and ready to print, choose a reliable quality printer that offers affordable prices and discounts for large orders.

I recommend: Endeavor Printing offers high quality comic book printing on gloss text paper with bulk discounts. Visit their website to fill out a quote request. Ka-Blam Digital Printing are experts in comic book printing and offer several forms of discount. They provide an easy quote form with an upload area for your finished comic book. They also offer an industry related blog.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider organic inks with comic book publishing to help the environment as well as create an additional selling point for your product.