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[THREAD PRINTING COMPANIES]
Okay! So it seems that people are interested in this topic.
Indeed, since @MiraculousKiwi and I want to print our works, I took the time to check tons of printing companies to see what they offer. https://twitter.com/Nath_Kurtzberg/status/1254277493688688640
Okay! So it seems that people are interested in this topic.
Indeed, since @MiraculousKiwi and I want to print our works, I took the time to check tons of printing companies to see what they offer. https://twitter.com/Nath_Kurtzberg/status/1254277493688688640
In our case, since we won't sell anything, we search for companies that offer small amout of copies.
Some of our projects also require some really fancy options like neon printing or holographic treatments, which can't be found everywhere...
So let's start our journey!
Some of our projects also require some really fancy options like neon printing or holographic treatments, which can't be found everywhere...
So let's start our journey!
I'm gonna focus on the companies I checked and I know, printing books, such as comics and manga...
Maybe you know and use some others, You can leave the address here, that can help other people interested in printing stuff.
Maybe you know and use some others, You can leave the address here, that can help other people interested in printing stuff.
For each companies, I 'll talk about the websites, if it's accessible enough, the options provided, the results.
I hope I won't say to much bullshits. If so, I apologize in advance and I hope you correct me!
I hope I won't say to much bullshits. If so, I apologize in advance and I hope you correct me!
My journey into printing books started last year when I wanted to print the story I wrote in a book. I wasn't sure it was possible...
I knew artists printed goodies and fanzines but I only wanted 1 book for myself, not a 100 copies of it.
I knew artists printed goodies and fanzines but I only wanted 1 book for myself, not a 100 copies of it.
Hopefully most of the companies offer offset AND on demand options... But not all of them.
I'm gonna start with the french companies... because... because I'm french.
1. I'll start with Coollibri. This is the printing service I used, based in France. This is the one I used to print my book. https://www.coollibri.com/
1. I'll start with Coollibri. This is the printing service I used, based in France. This is the one I used to print my book. https://www.coollibri.com/
The website is really clear, you can get a quote really easily and see how much your project will cost.
They offer basic options for paper and printing but the quality is really great, for text, but also for illustrations. I was really impressed.
They offer basic options for paper and printing but the quality is really great, for text, but also for illustrations. I was really impressed.
They offer a service to create and edit your cover online, and a 3D result of your book before you print it.
Also, the team is really accessible and really nice and helpful.
I really recommend them if you want to print a book.
MADE IN FRANCE.
Also, the team is really accessible and really nice and helpful.
I really recommend them if you want to print a book.
MADE IN FRANCE.
2. But before printing my project there, I also hesitated with another printing company : Pumbo.
https://www.pumbo.fr/
This website is also really clear and easy access offering offset and on demand. You can get your quote online.
https://www.pumbo.fr/
This website is also really clear and easy access offering offset and on demand. You can get your quote online.
Like Coollibri, they offer basic options for printing but it's enough if you don't look for something original, I would also recommend them.
They also seem to have a really good quality check team that will help you on your project.
Now let's move on on more european/worldwide services.
3. I heard about the printing service that most of the artists in france and europe use for Japan expo and other conventions : Pixart Printing. https://www.pixartprinting.com/
3. I heard about the printing service that most of the artists in france and europe use for Japan expo and other conventions : Pixart Printing. https://www.pixartprinting.com/
Like the previous website, it's easy access and you can get your quote online. They have a larger range of papers available for printing compared to the previous printing companies, which is a good point.
Like the previous compagnies, you can order a small quantity of books.
Like the previous compagnies, you can order a small quantity of books.
But I heard from other people that the quality of printing is hazardous, which is not really encouraging...
I didn't dare to test it because of that.
I didn't dare to test it because of that.
4. Let's move on to a company that @MiraculousKiwi and i tried for the artbook now. It's a UK printing service which is also available everywhere : Mixam.
https://mixam.co.uk/
The website is very clear, simple and it's something great.
https://mixam.co.uk/
The website is very clear, simple and it's something great.
Again, you can get your quote online and see how much your project will cost. You can order a very small quantity of books too.
You can order free sample of papers and printed products so you can check their quality before ordering something.
You can order free sample of papers and printed products so you can check their quality before ordering something.
Printing options and range of paper are limited but for the cover there are interesting lamination treatment available, ... like UV gloss or 3D UV spot... Unfortunately these options are really really expensive. So if you only order a small amount of books, just forget about it.
The team is really helpful and really nice. And the quality of the book you order is rather good.
So overall, I would recommend you this company. It was a great experience for us.
So overall, I would recommend you this company. It was a great experience for us.
5. The next company is a company that we would have love to test, but unfortunately, we are not the target: Pulsio print. https://pulsioprint.com/
Again, the website is really clear and simple. Easy access, which is always a good point when you ask for a service.
You can calculate the cost of your project online really quickly.
The have a really large range of options for papers and finishes. It's like paradise.
You can calculate the cost of your project online really quickly.
The have a really large range of options for papers and finishes. It's like paradise.
The quality of printing seems to be good because lots of publishers in France use their services.
Which means, unfortunately, if you want to use their service, you need to order a large amount of books : 200 minimum.
Which means, unfortunately, if you want to use their service, you need to order a large amount of books : 200 minimum.
I think it's possible to order less, but you need to contact them for them to consider your project.
Also, you can order a book of samples for 30€.
6. Next printing service is american. They focus on comics/ graphic novels and game products: PrintNinja.
https://printninja.com
It's also a company that @MiraculousKiwi could have tested but... we didn't, because it's the same problem (for us) than for Pulsio.
https://printninja.com
It's also a company that @MiraculousKiwi could have tested but... we didn't, because it's the same problem (for us) than for Pulsio.
The website is clear and you can get calculate the cost of your project online quickly.
You can also order some sample of paper and printing quality and finishes for $5 to $10.
They offer a really large panel of options and finishes for your book, like...
You can also order some sample of paper and printing quality and finishes for $5 to $10.
They offer a really large panel of options and finishes for your book, like...
... stamping, embossing, UV spot, gloss lamination, foiling and other things.
Basic choice for paper.
Only issue for us, they only work offset and you need to order a big amount of books : 250 minimum.
Basic choice for paper.
Only issue for us, they only work offset and you need to order a big amount of books : 250 minimum.
I'm sure there are tons of other compagnies out there. They are some I know that I didn't mention because the website is confusing. And maybe I should have talked about them but If the website is not appealing enough , or too old looking, it's hard to get into it.
You are free to mention your experiences here with other companies or to ask questions to get more details about the companies/services I talked here...
This thread is far from being done because now, I will move on to another world : The japanese printing companies!
This thread is far from being done because now, I will move on to another world : The japanese printing companies!
