5 Categories of Comic Books and How to Print them Successfully

‘Comics’ is the term coined in the United States to refer to their mainstream comic books, which was then brought over into British English. The word ‘comic’ was used because the first such strips published in major newspapers in the United States, especially the titles of the press tycoon Randolph Hearst, were particularly humorous. In the USA the term ‘comic books’ when applied to graphic novels has become almost synonymous with ‘superhero comics’ because this genre is predominant in the United States. Disney comics or humourous graphic novels are thus referred to with the generic term “Comic Strips”. 

Technically, comics printed at Pulsio Print fall into two broad categories:

Stapled comics

These are often in A5 (148 x 210 mm), 165 x 240 mm or American 170 x 260 mm format. They are printed in four-colour double-sided (4 + 4 print) on coated paper 115 g / m2, more rarely in 100 g / m2. Note however that the main limiting factor for this category is the restricted number of pages – if your book exceeds 96 pages we recommend you choose the glued option.

Comics with glued squared spine/paperback

Similar to stitched comic books, they are assembled in a cahier and made with a soft cover with or without flaps, printed single-sided or double-sided in four-colour. The interior printing (usually four-colour but also black and white) can be done with offset or coated paper. To obtain a ‘vintage’ effect we can use bulky paper; its intrinsic nature gives it that vintage look: the colours are by choice a little faded, the pores of the paper trap residues of the ink solvent and the resulting smell is reminiscent of old-fashioned comics, which everyone will agree adds to the charm!

More elaborate or luxury comics are appearing nowadays; their manufacture is with hard cover binding, and with cover finishes ranging from selective film to coloured or gilded hot stamping, as well as all the other possible special effects available to add value to the cover, like for example selective satin or anti-scratch varnishes on some parts of the cover and spine.

The high demands that this type of graphic novel imposes on printing companies can be considered as a supreme test of their mastery of the art of printing. According to our customers, Pulsio Print is part of the narrow circle of European printers capable of producing mangas of superior quality. A deep understanding of the printing processes (the role of rasterising to avoid any moiré effect for example), a good knowledge of the behaviour of a variety of paper types, and perfect mastery of the complex finishes that these works require, are the key requirements to be mastered by the printer in order to obtain perfect success in this very particular type of print manufacturing.

True to their origins in East Asia in general and Japan in particular, mangas are bound ‘back to front’ according to Western understanding – the front endpaper for the cover is the one that plays the role of the fourth in European books. Always in paperback, their covers are often printed on a card lying on one side, in monochrome recto, because they are always accompanied by a jacket.

Alternative comic books have appeared in various places as a trend away from the major publishing networks, earning them the nickname ‘independent comic books’. This cultural phenomenon has several different goals, but the most important for printing purposes is the total freedom of choice of formats, papers, bindings and finishes. All sizes and shapes are allowed – combinations of different types of paper, folded sheets inside the book, perforated hard covers, all customised at the request of our customers.

Pulsio Print puts its expertise at your disposal from the very beginning of your project to guide you through all the steps of the development of your alternative and unique comic book!

The term “Graphic Novel” is generally used to refer to longer, more serious comic books intended for adult readership, or sometimes long young adult comic books. Without traditional fixed pagination, in a single volume or in several, in black and white or in colour, graphic novels by their very nature do not constitute a precise genre of comic books.

This does not represent a specific genre, but a way of highlighting your works. Any comic book can be boxed for better presentation, to celebrate an event (birthday or other), to group together a series, etc. Slipcases, to any degree of luxury, may contain single works or entire collections.

Apart from using presentation boxes, you can ensure a luxury look for your comic books by applying special finishes: hot stamping; bookmarks, headbands; printed endpapers; soft touch lamination with or without selective varnish; canvas; jackets etc.

Armed with its 14 years of experience in the field, Pulsio Print can help you from the creation of the packaging, through the choice of graphic design, right up to the printing and assembly of the casing.

Today, comic books or graphic novels are an immense universe where many rules have their say. In this universe of multiple choices, your free and creative spirit can sometimes get lost. The following table, although very schematic, will help you get to grips with it all.

Pulsio Print’s expert advisers are waiting to hear your ideas to guide you through the many choices and options available to comic book lovers from 7 to 103 years old!