Frequently Asked Questions - All FAQs

Yes we do! Please read the technical specifications here which will provide you the information you need on how to format and upload your comic book files.

If you have any difficulty uploading large print files on our online order form, we offer a secondary file upload component to assist.  If you still have difficulty uploading your files, please contact us to discuss other options.

Yes we do provide FREE comic book templates which you can download HERE!

Litho Ninja highly encourages all customers to review a hard proof of their printed item to identify any potential issues before processing a full order.  Please read this article that further explains how hard and soft proofs play an important role in avoiding unforeseen issues. All orders of 25 or more prints will be provided with a free hard proof copy before the full run is processed. Every hard proof copy requested after the intial free hard proof will be at the cost of $25 per copy.

ALL HARD PROOF(S) ARE PRODUCED DIGITALLY with digital liquid dry ink. Final printed pieces are produced using Litho Ninja's print process in CMYK pigmented inks. These two processes may produce two slightly different results but are still within printing industry standard.

We highly recommend that you always add at least a .125" bleed-mark around your file and submit it as a high-resolution PDF or TIFF file.  Bleeds allow your design to run off the sheet after it's been trimmed.

Standard Size Comic Books
Trimmed Size = 6.625" x 10.25"
Full Bleed Size = 6.875" x 10.5"

Manga Size Comic Books
Trimmed Size = 5.25" x 8"
Full Bleed Size = 5.5" x 8.25"

Magazine Size Comic Books
Trimmed Size = 8" x 10.5"
Full Bleed Size = 8.25" x 10.75"

Please download one of our templates to assist with your file layout.

A common error that many comic book artists make is defining how many interior pages make up their comic book. The error generally comes from thinking of a single sheet of paper as one page which is incorrect.

One should view a single sheet of paper as two pages, one page on the front side and a second page on the back side. If you create 36 interior pages for your comic book, then you should order a 36 interior page comic book.

It's important to note that the number of interior pages does NOT include the cover of your comic book. The cover is ordered separately on the print request form and should NOT be included in your interior page count. Covers are made up of 4 total pages:

• front cover exterior
• front cover interior
• back cover interior
• back cover exterior

Therefore, if you have a comic book with 36 interior pages + cover, there will be a total of 40 pages printed.  36 for the interior pages and 4 pages for the cover.

You can include as many pages as you like in your comic book but there are a couple of factors to take into consideration:

• Any comic book with saddle stitch binding must have a page count divisible by 4 (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, etc..)
  
  
• Saddle stitching can only accomodate up to 84 total interior pages for standard and magazine size comics and 60 total interior pages for manga size comic books.  Any comic book with an interior page greater than 84 or 60 interior pages respectively requires other forms of binding.  If your comic book meets or exceeds 84 or 60 interior pages respectively, please contact Litho Ninja directly with your request and we will assist you with your project.

Certainly, you can definitely order a custom sized comic book if you wish. Please contact Litho Ninja directly and we will assist you with your request.

Yes we do provide FREE poster templates which you can download HERE!

Yes we do provide FREE flyer templates which you can download HERE!

Yes we do provide FREE postcard templates which you can download HERE!

Yes, Litho Ninja offers free downloadable templates for all printing items in a pdf format.  You can download your template(s) HERE.

Litho Ninja highly encourages all customers to review a hard proof of their printed item to identify any potential issues before processing a full order. Please read this article that further explains how hard and soft proofs play an important role in avoiding unforeseen issues. All orders of 25 or more prints will be provided with a free hard proof copy before the full run is processed. Every hard proof copy requested after the intial free hard proof will be at the cost of $25 per copy.

Litho Ninja does not require payment until your print order is completed and ready for shipping.  At that time, Litho Ninja will contact you with the amount due (printing + shipping/handling) and instructions on how you can make a secure payment online. Once payment is received, your package will be released for delivery.

Comic books come with a free hard copy and a $25 deposit is required when placing your order to create and ship your hard proof. When your entire order is completed and ready for shipping, the $25 deposit will be deducted from your total charge and the remaining balance will be requested to release your package.

Yes, Litho Ninja does have content restrictions and will not print anything with hardcore pornography, religious slandering, racial depiction, or anything else Litho Ninja defines as inappropriate. Final decisions on what content is printable is fully at the discretion of Litho Ninja.

We highly recommend that you always add at least a .125" bleed-mark around your file and submit it as a high-resolution PDF or TIFF file. Bleeds allow your design to run off the sheet after it's been trimmed.

Standard Size Comic Books
Trimmed Size = 6.625" x 10.25"
Full Bleed Size = 6.875" x 10.5"

Manga Size Comic Books
Trimmed Size = 5.25" x 8"
Full Bleed Size = 5.5" x 8.25"

Magazine Size Comic Books
Trimmed Size = 8" x 10.5"
Full Bleed Size = 8.25" x 10.75"

Please download one of our templates to assist with your file layout.

• Regular Covers - typically printed on 70# glossy text paper stock and matches the paper stock for the interior pages.
  
  
• Premium Covers - typcially printed on 100# glossy text paper stock and is heavier than the typical 70# glossy text paper stock used for the interior pages.
  
  
• Artist Sketch Cover - typically printed on 80# uncoated text paper stock to allow one to write on.

We have numerous presses including conventional and digital presses. However, we primarily use our Komori Lithrone S40/P for high-end commercial printing.

The interior pages of the Litho Ninja comic books are generally printed on 70# glossy text stock. However, we can adjust paper stock based on custom requests directly from the client. Mulitple paper stock options are available for the covers.

All of our products are printed with four-color inks: (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). Color density less than 15% may not print. We use Soy based inks with low VOC admissions. These are the types of corporate decisions we make to decrease the environmental impact to our planet.

We print between 250 - 300 line screens producing award winning results. However, with the click of a button, we are capable of going up to 12,000 line screens with our stochastic (FM) screening technology. Using stochastic screening produces incredible results.

Yes, you can request spot color which is also referred to as PMS color. We are the only comic printing company that can run up to 10 PMS colors in one single pass through our 10 color Komori Lithrone press.

We have gloss varnish, water-base aqueous and high gloss UV coating that we offer to our clients. Every project is different so based on our client's choice of paper, our highly trained professionals will recommend the various coatings that will make your project look fantastic.

Certainly, you can definitely order a custom sized comic book if you wish. Please contact Litho Ninja directly and we will assist you with your request.

Once your order is submitted, you will be contacted by a sales representative with a review of your print files to confirm all technical specifications are met. A free soft copy proof will be provided for you to review and verify that the files meet your expectations and are ready to be sent to the press.

For orders with a quantity of 25 or greater, a free hard copy proof will be printed and mailed to the customer for review which generally takes about 5 business days for the client to receive. After your hard proof approval, please expect 7 business days to process your full print request. Hard proofs are not required but highly encouraged to avoid any unforeseen issues and should be taken into account when planning your print job.

You can join the Litho Ninja community for FREE by creating your own profile account here!

As a registered Litho Ninja community member, you can post comments, voice your opinions, request printing, promote your comic books, and even communicate directly with our staff and other comic professionals. You have the ability to post questions about art, printing, and publishing related issues to receive professional advice in return.

Litho Ninja community premier members will immediately receive up to 20% discount on all printing purchases. You will also be able to promote your art and comic books by displaying the work on your membership profile. Premier members also receive various FREE coupons for printing and merchandising throughout the year. Wow all for $39.99 a year!

Shipping cost is based on weight, location, and of course shipping rates charged by our providers. As a general shipping & handling estimate within the continental United States, you should expect to pay around $30 for 100 28-page comic books.

Yes, Litho Ninja will ship anywhere across the globe.  If you wish to receive a general estimate on how much the shipping cost will be, please contact us for a quote. Since shipping cost is based on both weight and location, your email should include what you expect to order, the quantity, and where you want your products shipped to.

Yes, to some extent but we strongly suggest that you do not. A printed sheet with UV coating is very difficult to write on and even more difficult to ink-jet (addressing) on. Because of the UV chemical makeup, it is too shiny of a surface for any ink-base pigment to be applied to.