Q&A for How to Make a Comic

If you're planning on scanning it, no. Crayons can leave some chunky parts in the place you colored, which would look strange in a scanned comic.

Of course; plenty of artists work almost exclusively on their computers.

Many writers and artists are very nervous about facing the rejection and criticism of their work; it's the equivalent of a singer performing in front of a large audience. If you don't feel it's ready, set it aside for a month or two and don't look at it; when you pull it back out and review, you'll have a bit of distance from it and mistakes stand out much better. If you feel that it represents your best efforts, step outside of your comfort zone and submit it. Know that regardless of how good your work is, there are always going to be people who don't like it; however, your critics will be the most vocal about your weak points, guiding you toward areas you can improve. In short, though, you undoubtedly created your comic because it's a passion, and the only person whose opinion about it that matters is yours.

Your comic has to succeed first. Start with one comic, then branch out from there.

You can try using Strathmore Bristol. It scans really well.

Some printers have the ability to print, scan and copy. Find one! It might be in your school (if you are a student), or perhaps at home.

If you think you're not good at drawing, you can always start with stick figures or characters that are basically shapes (for example, Ms. Triangle, Dr. Square, etc.).

Not really. It depends on your artistic vision and how you want to capture your audience's eye.

Yes, most scanners are able to produce images in color.

You can use normal paper. Do the same steps except the scanning one. You may also have to staple it to keep it together.

Of course! It's your comic, if that's the style you prefer, that's perfectly fine.

You can make a comic at any age really, but if you're a kid and you want to publish your comic professionally, you will probably need help from an adult.

Learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript and host it with 000webhost.com, or use Wix, Yola or Wordpress if you want an easier option.

Don't get your hopes up too much that the publisher will accept your comic on your first try. Rejection is just part of publishing. You can always publish the comic on your art page with tags, categories, etc. and make it free to read first in order to gain more readers.

You don't need them. You can use Google Drive, Pages, Paint.net, Microsoft Word or GIMP.

You can measure the paper with a ruler and divide it in equal segments. Then draw the lines to make the frames.

It depends on what you want the tone of the scene to be. Some artists use pages called "splash pages," which are single panels that take up an entire page in order to give the scene more impact. For normal scenes, you'll want to use multiple panels.

No, they should be spread out on many different papers.

Use a drawing tablet like Wacom, Huion, XP-Pen, or an iPad with a stylus. Use art software such as Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop, Krita, MediBang, or Procreate. Set your resolution to 300 DPI for print or 72 DPI for web. Utilize comic templates available in some programs and use layers to separate sketch, line art, colors, and text.

You can use these programs to create illustrations and characters without drawing on paper: Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop, Procreate, Krita, MediBang Paint, Adobe Illustrator, and Blender.

You can make a comic about crazy frogs by yourself. Use paper or a tablet to draw, sketch ideas for the story, draw boxes for scenes, create funny frog characters, add speech bubbles with words, color with crayons, markers, or digital tools, and then staple the pages or share online.

To avoid unnecessary full frames, sketch small thumbnails first and use big frames only for key moments. Keep only what moves the story forward, combine small actions in one frame, show background details inside other frames, and merge dialogue-heavy frames when possible.

For home printing, use thick paper like 120-200 gsm. For a professional look, use glossy or matte paper (150-250 gsm). For a comic book feel, use lightweight paper (80-100 gsm). 4) For a hardcover book, use strong paper with a thick cover.

Before computers, people used methods like photocopying with large machines, photographing pages to create printing plates, drawing on special stones or metal plates, inking by hand for clear lines, and using printing presses for newspapers and books.

Yes, you can make a comic that changes genres. Plan when and how the genre changes, keep a main theme so the story feels connected, use smooth transitions to avoid sudden shifts, keep characters consistent even if the mood changes, and test a short version to see if it works well.

The cost to publish a comic depends on the method: self-publishing digitally is free or low cost on platforms like Webtoon or Tapas; self-publishing in print ranges from $50 to $2,000 or more for printing, ISBN, and distribution, with print-on-demand being cheaper; traditional publishing involves no upfront cost but the publisher takes a share of the profits; hiring help such as artists, editors, or letterers can cost $500 to $10,000 or more.

No, you can create one entirely on paper by using thick A4 or Bristol board, sketching lightly with a pencil, inking with fine liners or brush pens, coloring with markers, colored pencils, or watercolors, writing text neatly or using stickers for speech bubbles, and stapling or binding the pages to make a book.

To create a comic section, such as a chapter or short scene, decide on the events in that part of the story. Sketch small thumbnails to plan the layout, using big panels for important moments and small ones for quick scenes. Arrange panels for smooth flow, add backgrounds without overcrowding, and keep speech bubbles clear. Use more panels for slow scenes and fewer for fast ones.

Yes. Use smooth, thick paper for better blending, start with light layers, and build up shading. Blend softly with a tissue or light strokes, and ink the lines after coloring to keep them sharp. Avoid pressing too hard to maintain even colors, and test colors on scrap paper first.

It depends on several factors. The content should be well-organized and suitable for the audience. Publishers look for comics that fit popular genres or have a unique idea. Traditional publishing requires a query letter, manuscript, or book proposal. If a publisher doesn’t accept it, you can self-publish on Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or other platforms. A well-edited comic with a strong cover has a better chance of acceptance.