Create a Printed Copy of Your Comic
Bring your digital stories to life! Comcraft will soon empower you to prepare and order professionally printed copies of your comics.
Please note that our printed copy service is currently under development and not yet functional. In the meantime, we are accepting requests for printed copies via email. If you're interested, please send us an email at info@thecomcraft.com with your request. Below, you'll find a preview of how the service will likely function once it's live.
The following steps outline how the printed copy service will likely function once it's fully developed and live on our platform:
Step 1: Have Your Comic Series on Comcraft (Optional but Recommended)
While you can create a printed copy record without a pre-existing digital comic series, it's often helpful to have your main comic series already set up on Comcraft. This allows you to link the printed version to an established digital presence.
- If you haven't created your comic series yet (the overall title, cover, description), you can do so on the "Upload" page. This step is about defining the series, not uploading digital chapters for online reading at this stage.
Step 2: Prepare Your Image Files for Print
Gather all the individual image files (pages) that will make up your printed comic book. These are the files you will upload specifically for the print version.
- Ensure your images are high-resolution (300 DPI is recommended for good print quality). Supported formats are typically JPG, PNG, WEBP.
- Crucial for Order: Name your image files sequentially (e.g.,
01.jpg, 02.png, 03.jpg
orPage_001.webp, Page_002.webp
). The form will attempt to sort them by filename, and you can reorder them manually. - These images are uploaded directly when you create the printed copy record; they are not pulled from existing digital chapters.
Step 3: Create Your Printed Copy Record in the Library
With your print-ready image files prepared, it's time to define the printed copy on Comcraft:
- Navigate to your personal "Library" section on Comcraft.
- Go to the "My Comics" tab, and then switch to the "Printed Copies" sub-tab.
- Click the "Create New Printed Copy" button. This will open a form.
- In the form, you will:
- Select which of your existing comic series this printed version is associated with (if any).
- Provide a specific Title for this printed edition (e.g., "My Awesome Comic - Volume 1 Deluxe Edition").
- Choose a PDF Template (e.g., Standard A4, A5 Booklet). This defines the page size and orientation.
- Write an optional Description for this printed copy.
- Upload your prepared image files (pages) directly into the form. You can drag and drop to reorder them if needed.
- After filling out the form and uploading images, click "Create Copy". The system will then process your images and generate a print-ready PDF based on your selected template and uploaded pages.
Step 4: Review PDF and Finalize for Printing
The final step before your comic is ready for potential printing:
- Once the printed copy record is created and the PDF is generated, you'll find it listed in the "Printed Copies" section of your library.
- You can Download and meticulously Preview the generated PDF. Check for:
- Correct page order.
- Image quality and clarity.
- How images fit within the chosen template's dimensions (margins, cropping, scaling).
- Any layout issues.
- If you're satisfied with the PDF and have a valid shipping address updated in your profile, you can mark the printed copy as "Ready for Print" using the toggle button on its card.
- By marking this item as "Ready for Print", you consent to Comcraft initiating the printing and shipping process using your stored address. Once we start the printing process, you will not be able to edit or cancel. Please ensure your address is up-to-date.
Important Notes for Future Use:
- Image Quality: Use high-resolution images (300 DPI recommended) for the best print results.
- File Naming for Upload: Sequential file naming (e.g.,
Page 01.jpg
,Page 02.jpg
) helps with initial sorting, though you can reorder in the form. - Templates: The chosen PDF template dictates how your uploaded images are placed onto pages. Preview carefully.
- Shipping Address: Once the service is live, ensure your shipping address in your profile is accurate and complete before marking a copy as "Ready for Print."