Make Comic Strips with a Storyboard

Making your own comic strips looks easy, but this visual storytelling method actually takes a little practice. Comic strips usually have a set amount of space to tell a story in, and they can’t use splash pages and other large-format visuals in the same way that comic books can.

Jumping from an idea straight into a final draft could result in a strip that isn’t as clear and effective as possible. Whether you’re drawing a one-off comic strip for a client or working on a whole series, here’s how to use storyboarding to your advantage.

Hand-drawn Storyboards

Drawing a storyboard by hand allows you to organize locations, characters, and events in a way that makes sense to you and your reader. A written text outline is a helpful first step, but sketching the story panel by panel helps you refine the visuals.

For example, storyboarding may help you decide that a zoomed-in shot of a character is the best way to deliver the comic’s punch line. Storyboarding may also reveal that a particular action or line of dialogue needs to be broken into two panels, or that two panels can be combined into one.

Digital Storyboards

Any illustration software can be used to create a digital storyboard, but online comic strip makers make it even easier. Storyboard That’s comic strip maker is great for creating high-quality comics quickly, but can also be used to storyboard.

The pre-made characters, settings, and other items make it easy to draft panel layouts without wasting time sketching and erasing. The balance of speed and high customization makes it just as useful as hand-drawn storyboards.

Printing and Publishing

Storyboarding can also be used for long-term planning of comic strip series. If you’re planning on publishing a book of comic strips, it helps to have an overarching theme or general plot that brings your characters to life.

Storyboarding can help you decide how long your finished series will be, and if it should be published in short saddle stitched booklets or longer square bound booklets. It’s a great way to expand your horizons for what’s possible.

Your Partner in Publishing

No matter what genre of comic strip you’re working on, Comix Well Spring has the printing expertise you need to bring you a high-quality finished product. Use our easy online ordering system to select from a range of paper and binding types and submit files. Contact us with any questions, and we’ll help your project reach its full potential.