Comic Book Printing
Turn bold artwork and storytelling into print with comic book printing made for vivid panels and sharp detail.
At 4edge, we professionally print comic books for writers, illustrators, publishers, independent creators and creative organisations. Choose from perfect bound or staple bound formats, with industry-standard comic sizes, quality paper stocks, cover options and finishes to give sequential artwork, dialogue and full-page illustrations a polished printed finish.
With expert artwork support, cost-effective digital printing and reliable UK production, we make it easy to produce high-quality comic books for single issues, graphic novels, manga, independent publishing and limited editions.
The Benefits of Online Comic Book Printing
Cost-effective digital printing
High-quality artwork reproduction
Expert artwork checking
Personal customer support
Printed in Hockley, Essex
Comic Book Specifications
Comic book sizes
| Size | Width (mm) | Height (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| UK Standard | 157 | 240 |
| US Standard | 170 | 260 |
| Manga Standard | 127 | 191 |
| B6 | 125 | 176 |
| DL | 99 | 210 |
| Square | 210 | 210 |
| A4 | 210 | 297 |
| A5 | 148 | 210 |
- Custom sizes
Paper types
- Silk: 115-170 gsm
- Gloss: 115-170 gsm
- Uncoated: 70-170 gsm
- Offset: 80-120 gsm
- White Bookwove: 80 gsm
- Cream Bookwove: 70 gsm
Binding options
- Perfect bound (PUR)
- Staple bound / saddle stitched
Cover options
- Self cover
- 230 gsm cover stock
- 300 gsm cover stock
- 350 gsm cover stock
Finishes
- Matt lamination
- Gloss lamination
- Soft-touch lamination
How to Print Your Comic Books
The files you need to supply depend on the binding option you choose.
Staple bound comic books
Supply one print-ready PDF containing all pages in reading order as single pages, not spreads. The cover pages should be included in the same PDF and the total page count must be in multiples of four.
Perfect bound comic books
Please provide two print-ready PDF files:
- Cover PDF – outer and inner cover spreads, including the spine
- Inner pages PDF – all pages supplied in reading order as single pages, not spreads
The correct spine width depends on the number of pages and chosen paper stock. The 4edge team can confirm the required dimensions before you supply final artwork.
Do not provide the spine as a separate file.
Colour and image quality
For the best print results:
- Set artwork to CMYK colour
- Use images at 300 dpi
- Set black text and linework to 100% black where appropriate
- Convert greyscale artwork to greyscale before supplying it
RGB artwork can be converted to CMYK, but some colours may change during conversion.
Bleed and quiet areas
Where artwork runs to the edge of the page, add 3 mm bleed around the outer edges.
Keep important content at least 3 mm inside all trim edges.
Additional quiet areas are required for the following:
- Perfect bound comic books – 5 mm on the binding edge of inner pages
Keep dialogue, captions, page numbers and important artwork details outside these areas.
Lamination
Where lamination is selected, it is applied to the outer cover surface.
Before Supplying Your Artwork
Please check that:
- The artwork matches the quoted finished size
- The correct file setup has been used for the chosen binding
- Pages are supplied as single pages in reading order
- Staple bound page counts are in multiples of four
- All fonts are embedded
- Artwork and linework are supplied at suitable resolution
- Bleed and quiet areas have been included
- Any required blank pages are present
Please review your proof carefully before approving your comic book for print.
Need help?
Call 01702 200243 to speak to the 4edge customer service team.
Email: admin@4edge.co.uk
Comic Book Printers in Essex
4edge provides professional comic book printing for writers, illustrators, publishers, independent creators and creative organisations across the UK.
Based in Hockley, Essex, we print and finish comic books in the UK using digital production and a choice of perfect bound or staple bound formats. Our team can support your project from artwork preparation and proofing through to printing, finishing and delivery.
Print-ready files can be retained to make future reorders straightforward, whether you are producing a single issue, graphic story, manga-style publication or independent comic series.
What binding options are available for comic books?
4edge offers perfect bound (PUR) and staple bound / saddle stitched comic books.
What size should a comic book be?
Comic books can be produced in recognised industry formats including UK Standard, US Standard and Manga Standard, as well as B6, A4, A5, DL and square formats.
What is the standard US comic book size?
US Standard comic books are 170 x 260 mm.
What is the standard UK comic book size?
UK Standard comic books are 157 x 240 mm.
What size is a manga comic book?
Manga Standard is 127 x 191 mm.
Can I choose a custom comic book size?
Yes. 4edge can produce custom sizes by cutting down from standard industry sizes, such as A4, depending on your chosen specification.
What paper is best for comic books?
Silk and gloss papers are popular for vivid colour artwork and sharp image reproduction, while uncoated and Bookwove stocks provide a more traditional, tactile finish.
Should I supply single pages or spreads?
Please supply pages as individual pages in reading order, not spreads. Staple bound comic books are supplied as one print-ready PDF. Perfect bound comic books require a separate cover PDF and inner pages PDF.
How is the spine width calculated?
For perfect bound comic books, the spine width depends on the number of pages and the thickness of your chosen paper stock. The 4edge team can calculate the correct spine width and provide the dimensions needed for your cover artwork. Staple bound comic books do not require a spine.
Do comic book page counts need to be in multiples of four?
Staple bound comic books must have a page count in multiples of four. Blank pages can be added where needed to complete the final printed section.
Can I check my comic book before printing?
Yes. Please review your proof carefully before production, checking artwork quality, colour, dialogue, page order, cover artwork and, where applicable, the spine.
Is VAT charged on printed comic books?
Printed comic books are normally zero-rated for VAT in the UK where they meet the relevant requirements.