Help, I Wanna Make A Picture Book!

[killerzzz]

Hello.

A while back, someone asked me to make for them a book copy of the collected Wally story (so far). So, I said SURE! But, uh... how the heck to I go about it? ;D

I'm been browsing for several hours online. I want something decently affordable (ie, I don't want to be paying 200$ to make a little book, you know? ).

Problem is, every site that seems affordable, has no size customization (needs to be around 5.4x4.2 inches or 13.75x10.63 cm... around ). And every site with size customization wants me to pay a ton! See, I wanna get every page of Wally in there, if possible, and individually, so it feels like a kids story book. So that comes to close to 200 pages. Yikes! At 35$ for 20 pages, plus 1$ for additional pages, well, that adds up (referring to one customizable site I found).

I'm also trying to make it hardcover if possible. Yeah, I know, pushing it, aren't I? ;D

I guess what I'm saying is, I'm trying to find the cheapest way to make a decent thing. Sacrifices I may have to make include: going softcover, expanding to bigger pages, splitting it into two books, making the book into the format I have at DeviantArt (ie, 3-6 panels per page), etc. That last one is probably the most logical sacrifice, but also the one I want to avoid - it won't feel the same that way!

Sigh, this is so much more complicated than I had naively assumed it would be.

So, I dunno, does anyone know anything this stuff?

Killerzzz

[Elliot Kane]

You want a print on demand service rather than a printer as such, if that makes sense. The sort of thing some web comics makers use to ensure they have a constantly available product, even though demand is a trickle.

And that, unfortunately, is the limits of my knowledge. Hope it sets you on the right trail, at least...

[killerzzz]

Feb 22, 2010 23:28:40 GMT Elliot Kane said:

You want a print on demand service rather than a printer as such, if that makes sense. The sort of thing some web comics makers use to ensure they have a constantly available product, even though demand is a trickle.

And that, unfortunately, is the limits of my knowledge. Hope it sets you on the right trail, at least...

Yes! That definitely put me on the right trail!

I found one called CreateSpace, it's an Amazon.com service.

Though I have to do a fair amount of work myself, its hella cheap.
The sacrifices above I have to make are:
-Have to divide it in two books.
-Have to make the pictures a bit bigger.
-Have to make a filler design on the inner part of the pages.
-Going softcover.

And the bonus: I gotta format each of the 240+ panels to make room for the spine and extra space around the panel for them to cut out (for some reason).

But damn if that price ain't right. ;D
Right now it'll take me 20-30$ plus shipping. On the sites where I'd have to sacrifice size, it'd take me a good 40-50$ plus shipping. And the sites with good formatting, double that.

If anyone knows of another one that's better in the meanwhile, I won't be starting on this for... probably a few months.

Oh, and I may ask for a tiny favour from the contributors of Wally later on. For the books.

Killerzzz

[Elliot Kane]

You now know more than I do, Kaz! ;D Glad I could put you on the right trail, though

[LaFille]

I don't know, the first way I'd think of going for that would be to go for printing and cover-making separately. IIRC one that I know did that to have the instruction manual for some software that only came on a disc in a book format. I know that there are some "reliure"-making services (don't know how to call that in English), but I'm not sure if it's just soft covers and spirals.

I'll try to ask around. Although, if you didn't already, the DA boards might be a good place to ask for advice?

[killerzzz]

Feb 24, 2010 16:25:06 GMT LaFille said:

I'll try to ask around. Although, if you didn't already, the DA boards might be a good place to ask for advice?

That's a great idea! ;D

Wow, should'a thought of that.

Given that many of them probably use those things, they'd likely have some opinions on the matter I'd find interesting.

Thanks!

Killerzzz

[LaFille]

You could also ask in printing shops near you if they offer this kind of service; they might. And at a school if you have access, they may direct you where they have their custom publications made.