[ The is the second of a two - part series on how to create and print a comic book or graphic novel on your Mac . Part one was publish on Friday , July 29th . ]
In my last article I talked about using your Mac to make printed mirthful books by scanning , editing , and enhancing your original comic book art . This clip the focus is on organizing that graphics in a page - layout document , adding word balloons or sound effects , and working with your copy shop to create the best - looking Holy Writ for the money .
Lay out your pages
Before you spell and put your scans , get hold of your transcript shop to necessitate what order they ’d like you to provide your page . This will be either sequentially or in printer ’s spreads that seem out of order in your layout text file , but light into the proper chronological succession when impress and turn up in a book .
Organizing pages sequentially is prosperous . Create a new page - layout written document at the size of your individual pages ( mine were 5.5 by 8.5 inches ) . grant for a .25 - inch margin on all sides , center a moving-picture show box on the Thomas Nelson Page . Artwork beyond this area may be cropped during printing process . Duplicate the varlet until you have enough for every varlet of artistic production in your comic , including cover . Then , starting with the front natural covering , slip in each page of scanned graphics in order until the pages of your Good Book are full .
wee-wee printer ’s spreads is a little catchy . Create a horizontal document the sizing of the paper on which your account book will be print ( in my case , this page was letter - sizing ) . Leaving a .25 - inch gross profit margin around the page , pore a 5 by 8 - inch picture box in each half of the Thomas Nelson Page , then duplicate the page until you have one page for every two pages of artwork in your comedian ( for example , a 24 - page comic would consist of 12 pages ) . On the first page , insert the last cover song of your comic in the remaining picture boxful and the first covering fire of your comedian in the correct picture show box . remain inserting artwork on each Sir Frederick Handley Page in your document , counting up from the first page and down from the last , until you have two successive page in the center of the rule book . Note that all peculiar page will fall on the right , and that all even Page will hang on the left .
Printer’s spreads may look wrong onscreen, but they’re right in print.
Printer ’s spread may take care wrong onscreen , but they ’re right in print .
Add captions and other text
Even if your artwork already contain deal - letter schoolbook , you could spice up your pages by adding text in your varlet - layout programme . Anything from mere varlet numbers to full narration , dialogue , and sound effects is potential . Your Mac comes with a few appropriate typeface ( including Marker Pro and Cracked ) , but you’re able to get many more at web site likeComicraftandBlambot . Whichever fount you utilise , align your schoolbook ’s line and character space to sit comfortably on the page , and keep the styling simple . Your words and pictures should work together , not contend for the lector ’s attention .
Rectangular narration box are easy enough to add to your pages , but if your software appropriate , you could also combine freehand shapes with ellipse to produce traditional word balloons . For a more organic flavor , lead empty word balloon in your original art , then fill up them with text on your Mac . This will take some planning to control you allow for enough elbow room in your drafting for text , but the resultant role are deserving it . combine handwritten dialogue and computer typefaces can make for striking effects , too . For example , the vocalism of a robot part might be more dramatic with its dialog printed in a mechanical typeface . However you habituate text in your project , print out and liken different type sizes until you witness one that works well . I ’ve had good , legible outcome with dialogue text edition as small as 5 points , but your preferences may deviate .
combine different kind of text on your page can pass to spectacular result .
Combining different kinds of text on your page can lead to striking results.
Export and print your book
When your Koran is pose out , you ’re almost quick to get a file to send to your written matter shop class . Getting the Indian file right the first time will save you headache and maybe even money . That mean communicating with your copy shop too soon in the unconscious process of create your book and following their instructions when submitting your file .
Before creating your final data file , discuss your projection with your copy shop , and scan any filing cabinet submission guidelines it has posted online . If these guidepost do n’t refer directly to the page - layout software you ’re using , ask about any promissory note or tips regarding files made with your program , or the version of the program you ’re using . Whichever political program you use , it ’s a good wager the data file format your print shop will favour is PDF . A PDF file cabinet will include all the baptistry and high - resolution image used in your mirthful book of account , but only if it ’s properly created . Your written matter workshop can furnish you with the exact specification to practice when export your labor , but in universal you ’ll want to employ the high - lineament ( or “ For Print ” ) options to ascertain the good results . After the PDF is bow , ask to see a proof transcript of your comic before all your folder are printed .
Your written matter shop class will pop the question a orbit of printing and finish choice that can ameliorate your projection . The simplest and least expensive of these is to apply a heavy or colored paper stock for your cover charge . you may also trim the outer edges of your Page to eliminate their blank mete , giving your Word a professional - look bleed . If your budget allows , colour printing process on your screen is another great––if pricey––way to make your comic stand out . Remember that you ’ll get a better a deal on many of these extra features the more written matter you print .
Exporting your graphic novel as a PDF file ensures your fonts and images will print as you expect.
Exporting your graphic novel as a PDF data file assure your fonts and images will publish as you expect .
Creating your own amusing book or pictorial novel is heavy work , but it ’s also a playfulness task that ’s easy to partake with others . Comics fans are always on the picket for something new , and local funny shops or conventions are not bad place to reach them . Even if you do n’t start the next great publication empire , you just might end up with a fast lover base to fulfil .
[ Adam Berenstain is a freelance author and funny book artist in upstate New York . ]
