Xeric Foundation
I’m putting together a package to send to the Xeric Foundation for their March 31st deadline. If you never heard of the Xeric Foundation, it’s a private, nonprofit corporation started by Peter Laird who co-created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The corporation gives out grants for self-publishing comic book creators bi-annually. Here’s more info. It looks like they gave out over $54,000 in grants in 2009 alone. I know they wont give me the full amount I need to publish reMIND as a hardbound book but anything I can get will help.
In applying, I need to write a little essay of why I’m self-publishing as well as give my full financial statements and business plan with printing estimates and all. It’s a bit overwhelming to put together. I was planning on submitting last year but didn’t get my printing quotes together in time.
[Update 6-14-2010] I got the grant! See more info here.
Overseas Printers
As far a printing quotes, I’ve contacted CrossBlue and Regent Publishing. Both of these companies are full service overseas printers with offices in the US. If you print a hard bound book in China vs the US you can save up to 75% I’m told. The only drawback is waiting for the books to get shipped on a boat across the ocean. I hear I should expect the whole process to take up to three months.
I went to the Crossblue’s office in LA about 2 years ago when reMIND was going to be a 64 pager. I was really impressed with them so I decided to ask for a new quote with my new page count. They already got back to me with new quotes in only a day.
On the other hand, Regent was referred to me by a friend who published through them and was very happy. He said that tons of his friends have used Regent and they always turn out perfect. But the first time I emailed Regent it took them 2 weeks to send me an email back. Then it tool another month to get samples mailed to me. I tried to email them again a few days ago to get a quote started and still haven’t heard back from them. I guess I just need to trust my friend and keep trying here. If their printing service is anything like their correspondence then I’m in trouble.
So I bet you are wondering what the quote price is for printing reMIND. Well hold onto your seats, it’s a bit much. Here we go.
For 2000 copies, hardbound, (cloth binding) 136 pages, full color, plus shipping. We are looking at around $10,800.
For 3000 copies of the same specs we are looking at $12,300.
Now keep in mind that this is the best quality I can get and it will look beautiful on thick paper. I’ve seen their books and they look amazing. I’ve also seen Regents books and they look amazing too. This turns out to be about $5 a book. If I can actually sell these for $20 a piece then I could actually make a little money here. I’ve heard that 2000 is the magic number for printing hard bound indie graphic novels. You can most likely sell all 2000 copies if it’s a good quality book. (from what I’ve heard)
I might get another quote for a non-cloth bound version and see if I can knock a few more dollars off the price.
Does anyone else know of a good printing company they would recommend? Please only tell me about printers you have used. I’m only want first hand experience for this subject.
P.S. I got my first $20 donation the other night! It works! It really works!
