Comic Book Publishers Key Terms

Understand comic book publishers key terms to improve your success in comic book publishing
By Trish Popovitch Whether you are a comic book publisher or simply want to publish a comic book for the first time, having an understanding and awareness of comic book publishers key terms is very important. Even if your company only offers comic book printing services, the language of the printing world, graphic artist and comic book collector will prove important to your success.

Comic books and graphic novels are a highly evolving field containing elements of art, literature and publishing fields. With a growing amount of competition, small business owners really need to do their research. Keep in mind the following when researching comic book publishers key terms:

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.
   

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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.

• 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.