My printing services
Can you turn my comic book into reality?
As part of my Mandate to promote and develop the hard-copy comic book medium, I am happy to provide technical support to prospective comic authors.
I also love printing graphic material that you would be afraid to bring into your local Staples (although, in practice, almost all public libraries offer discreet printing services).
Cost breakdown of a typical black-and-white 8-page zine
These are the actual items lying around my own house.
Equipment
- Brother DCP-L2640DW multifunctional laser printer. Costs $320 (easy to find secondhand for cheaper, I paid less for mine).
- Long-reach stapler. Costs $15.
Materials
| Item | Cost | Makes how many zines? | Unit cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65lb cardstock, assorted neon (250 sheets) | $43 | 250 | 17.2¢ |
| Copy paper (5,000 sheets) | $85 | 2,500 | 3.4¢ |
| Generic printer toner, high yield | $50 | 1,500 | 3.3¢ |
| Generic printer drum unit | $60 | 5,000 | 1.2¢ |
| Staples (10,000) | $7.50 | 5,000 | 0.15¢ |
A single 5.5" x 8.5" copybook-style zine costs about 25 cents to produce, which is mostly concentrated in the cover. Because we are using the cheapest materials possible, about 1 in 5 zines will be a misprint. That means I can provide this service for you at an astonishing 30 cents per zine!
Other printing services
Although the homemade copybook approach is about as accessible as can possibly be, it is not the best fit for every project - especially if you want more than black-and-white. If you are a better colourist than me, you might be ready to skip ahead to higher-volume commercial services.
In the world of paper and ink, costs always decline with volume. (Beware! Many are the self-published authors who have overestimated the appeal of their book, committed to an enormous print run, and are living with the consequences in their basements to this day.)
There are a number of friendly, reputable indie presses in Canada that are willing to deal with erotic material. The only problem is that I've never worked with any of them myself. I will append their names to this page as soon as I catch up with friends and peers who have had success in this area.