Novels - Square Bound Paperbacks (Glue Binding)

Description

• Perfect bound (glue binding) - square
• Interior page counts from 20-300 (*If page count exceeds 300 email for quote)
• 25 minimum quantity print
• Rush delivery is available
• Price Breaks with higher quantities
• Wide variety of cover & interiors paper options
• Full color OR Black & White (includes grayscale)
• Printing templates available!
• CWS AD insert discount option

• Foil cover instructions

*Spine width formula: Use our new CWS spine width calculator here!
 

Reordering Note:

For reprints/reorders of comic books over four months old, sending us a physical copy of the previous version helps ensure color consistency. Please reach out to customer service (sales@comixwellspring.com) if you have questions regarding shipping costs for this process. We DO NOT keep files on hand for more than 12 months. If you have not placed an order in over 12 months, you must share your files with us.

Variant Covers 

Separate Line Items: Different stocks or interiors (even one page) are not considered variants and must be ordered as separate line items. This includes sketch covers, foils, etc.

Minimum Order Quantities:

• For true variants, submit the interior files once and each cover individually, labeled clearly.
• Indicate quantities of each variant in the notes section. Each variant must be ordered in a minimum of 10 copies.
• Specialty orders (e.g., foils) require a minimum of 25 copies, which can be split further (e.g., 10 and 15) if noted.
• When placing your order, you can upload variant cover files and signify the details in the notes section.

Please make sure to label the covers CLEARLY and indicate in the notes how many of each.

Graphic Novel Printing

No matter what genre of graphic novel or comic you’re creating, the final print size and quality have a huge impact on your readers’ experience. Whether you’re a veteran with a large following or a new artist trying to break into indie comics, you’ll need the best printing team on your side.

Comix Well Spring specializes in comic book and graphic novel printing. We offer perfect bound books and saddle stitched comics custom printed in black and white or vibrant color. We offer multiple book sizes and can even create custom sizes so you can tell your story however you see fit.

Which Binding Is Best for Graphic Novels?

Comic books tend to be serialized, while graphic novels are almost always wrapped up in one or two volumes. By definition, graphic novels tend to be longer than the 64-page maximum allowed by saddle stitching binding. Square binding is a much better option, as it allows page counts of 260 or more.

Both binding options are very durable, and can last for years when used with the right paper and ink. However, square stitching looks more professional. It also allows room for printing the novel’s title on the spine, which helps readers find it more easily.

Paper Quality and Type for Square Bound Paperbacks

At Comix Well Spring, we use 60# bright white paper for the inside of our saddle stitched and square bound books. This paper is bright enough to keep your illustrations highly visible, and thick enough to hold up through years of re-reading.

We offer three cover comic book printing options: Standard, UV coated, and sketch covers. Standard covers are glossy 80# paper, which has a good balance of durability and low cost. UV coated covers are 12pt cardstock with a special glossy coating. Sketch covers use 80# paper with a matte finish to allow them to be drawn on easily.

Graphic novels can use any of the three cover types. If you regularly visit conventions, a sketch cover is a great investment for fans who want something they can get signed and customized. UV coated covers are the best option for a professional-quality collectible product.

Full Color or Black and White

Full color and black and white comics offer dramatically different final results. Black and white is perfect for horror stories, gritty detective stories, or other narratives that rely heavily on shadows and textures. Black and white printing can also handle grayscale, which is great for everything from manga to minimalist memoirs.

Although full color is more expensive than black and white printing, it’s well worth it for high-action genres with heavy worldbuilding. Books with black and white interiors still include color covers, so you can show off and entice readers with your full-color art.

The best option for your graphic novel depends on your own art style and budget. If you put the work into creating a full-color graphic novel, make it available to your fans with our affordable full-color printing. Black and white and grayscale artists can still develop a huge following, partly thanks to the lower printing costs.

Book Sizes

The standard comic book printed size is 6.625″ x 10.25”, magazine size is 8” x 10.5”, and manga size is 5.5″ x 7.75″. All three sizes require final art that is slightly larger than the page size, to allow for trimming.

Manga size may be an option for artists who use fewer panels per page or have less detailed art. It’s also a good way to keep costs as low as possible, regardless of the length of your printing project.

Graphic novels tend to be longer than comic books, so larger magazine size books may not be cost-effective. However, this can be highly variable depending on ink color and overall length. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about length, size, and ink possibilities. Whatever you decide, make sure to use the correct comic page template for formatting your final product.

Support from Start to Finish

No matter what kind of comic book or graphic novel you’ve created, Comix Well Spring can help get you through the final step of printing. Our perfect binding books have reliable turnaround time, with standard printing taking two weeks after proofs are approved. We also offer faster printing and express shipping if needed to meet your deadline.

Our customer service team knows about the process of creating and publishing comics, so they can answer any questions you have about comic book printing, formatting, and shipping. Join us as you embark on your next artistic adventure.