This is a big post compiling all the printers of books, prints, and other popular comic-related merch that I (Varethane) have either worked with or heard recommended by other indie creators! I’ve noted where each printer is based, but everything on this list should offer international shipping as well (if any do not, please let me know and I can mark it as such or remove it from the list).

There are a lot of different categories for this subject so I’ve tried to split them up in a way that makes sense to me, though if anyone reading this has suggestions for changes I could make please feel free to suggest away!

This sort of thread is most useful if it’s being continuously edited and updated to reflect more companies and resources (or to take them off, should they close their doors for whatever reason). And of course, if you know more printers or have more information on any of the ones listed here, please let me know! (Or for those of you with editing capabilities I guess you could just add them).

This post originated on the SpiderForest Webcomic Collective forums

SHORT RUN
(less than 250-500 books)

Mixam - UK, USA, Canada
No

minimum order quantity for regular book printing, though for some

special services such as foil stamping, they do have a minimum. Can be

inconsistent with their printing, but are responsive and proactive about

offering fixes. They can expand to large quantities.

Litho Ninja - USA
Minimum of 25 books, but will do up to 2500. Also offer posters and flyers. Good quality.

Whitlock - USA
Formerly known as 360 Digital Books, who were highly recommended in the past, but I don’t know much about the current status. From the past listing (may now be out of date): Minimum order is 25 copies; they allow price

matching.

My Book Printer - USA
Also formerly known as 360 Digital Books. Minimum order is 10 copies, and they have a handy on-site quote calculator.

Comic Impressions - USA
Very low prices. Can be inconsistent between print runs, but low rates make up for it. Responsiveness can vary.

DocuCopies - USA
Minimum order is 6 copies.

PrintKeg - USA
Floppy comics only (under ‘booklets’), minimum order is 1. They also do postcards and posters, including large-format.

Greko Printing - USA
Recommended to me by Delphina! Their rates are good. Printed the SpiderForest Coloring Book.

Printivity - USA
Short run printing, low costs on shipping especially domestically.

Offers 20% off first order + price matching, though quality can vary.

Rink Printing -USA
25

copy minimum, good turnaround times and quality, though they’ve

recently increased their prices for short-run comics. (The ’Shenanigans’

minicomic was printed through these guys). They do both long and short

runs.

SmartPress - USA
Booklets.

CreateSpace - USA
This

is Amazon’s print-on-demand publishing arm, so a book printed here will

automatically get an ISBN and be listed on Amazon. Quality can be

variable and apparently their customization options are limited,

although depending on what you’re after it can still work out just fine.

I’ve seen books printed through them come out great.

Graphic Connections Group Publishing - USA
Previously

known as Mira Booksmart. Little known data on them after rebranding,

but they still feature ‘graphic novels’ as an option in their product

listing. Their turnaround time as Mira was 7-10 days.

Keness -USA
Turnaround

time is listed as 5-6 days, but they offer 3-4 and 1-2 for about $1 and

$2 more per book respectively (not bad for a rush fee!) They have a

100-book minimum.

IM Photographics - USA
25 book minimum with a one week turnaround. Proofs are $30.

Ka-Blam - USA
Very

well-known. They have no minimum order and fast turnaround times. Print

quality is mediocre and paper options are limited. Not always

responsive. They do give you a space on their online store (indyplanet),

which is a potential bonus. They have an option where you can get a

discount by allowing them to place an ad for their services in your

book. There is an in-depth review of their print quality here.

MMPrint - USA
I’ve used the Marsid-M&M Group (mmprint.com) for several zines, and I

found them amazing. They did everything, at almost any amount, and

their prices on paper printing in particular were great. They were

totally flexible and had the best customer service. If you don’t see

something listed on their website, contact them, because they can

probably do it. It’s been a couple of years since I had to print

anything, but they stood out so much that there’s no way I could pass up

a chance to recommend them. -CherieoftheDragons

RA Comics Direct - USA
I’ve seen these guys get recommended all over; quality is decent.

Ready Comics - USA
Print on demand services offered in many sizes of comics. No minimum order.

Studio Comix - Canada
Specializes

in floppy comics; there is a $60 setup fee for orders of less than 100

copies, but they will do short runs. They’re capable of doing longer

perfect-bound books if requested, though their comfort zone is still

floppies. Good quality, speedy turnarounds.

Rapido Books - Canada
Good prices and very fast turnarounds. No minimum order; can do floppies or perfect-bound.

Copywell - Canada
Short-run printing; good turnaround time and quality.

Sureprint - Canada
Mixed reports about quality and responsiveness, but they’re around. Minimum order is 2 copies. Also offers some custom packaging options.

Caius - Canada
Website is in French, but (at time of writing) staff are bilingual and very responsive. Will do runs of 10-750 copies and offer a lot of customization options.

First Choice Printing - Canada
Located on the west coast. Very responsive, excellent rates. Both long and short runs.

TransContinental - Canada
These

guys are not known for low prices on their short-runs but they are

known for good quality. They also do both long and short runs.

ComicPrintingUK - UK
Good quality, do both long and short runs.

Awesome Merchandise - UK
Prints, short comics. Minimum order of. Maximum page count is 48.

LONG-RUN
(offset printing, best for 250-500 copies or more)

Print Ninja - USA (printed in China)
They’re

great to work with. Their minimum order is 250, though at 250 copies

many of the POD options are still competitive with their prices. They

also offer this handy checklist

for customers as well as a great FAQ section about paper weights and

printing options. Standard turnaround is 6-8 weeks with the ability to

expedite orders in 2 weeks. The books are printed overseas, so all books

need a ‘printed in China’ note.

AM Print Solutions - USA (Printed in China)
Good rates, offer variant covers and hardcovers at low prices.
*Very long shipping times, low communication from owner.

Marquis - Canada
Minimum

order and pricing competitive with Print Ninja; their website is less

intuitive and friendly, with most of the information coming from direct

communication (via phone or email). All their printing is done within

North America, so shipping times are much faster. Very good quality and a

lot of options for paper and finish.

Maracle Inc - Canada
Very good for long runs (1000+), though they also have digital printing (minimum 25) and print on demand services on offer.

Comic Book Printing - USA
These

guys specialize in comics and only do long runs. They were also the

only company who quoted me with a set up fee ($50) which includes a

proof. 7-10 day turnaround time for printing and very nice looking

samples. They have their own online store for selling the comics they

print called ComicFleaMarket.com.

Versa Press – USA
Offers both offset (long run) and digital (short run) printing.

Global PSD - USA
May do low print runs if asked.

Active Media Printing – USA (printed in China)
Another overseas printer; so slow turnaround times, but good prices and great quality.

Shanghai QinQin Printing - China
Met at convention, printer for Children of Eldair.

BUTTONS AND PINS
For button-making needs (though I know a lot of people buy their own button-pressing machine)

Portland Button Works - USA
They do ship worldwide

Auxiliary Buttons - USA

Busy Beaver - USA

ModButtons - USA

Monterey Company - USA
Enamel pins– apparently reasonable prices! (Though you have to talk to them to find out, as it’s not listed on their website)

Pure Buttons - USA

Made By Cooper - USA
Enamel pins

Wizard Pins - USA

Zap Creatives – UK
Enamel pins and charms.

STICKERS
(Ordering in bulk will almost always get you a cheaper price per sticker. Many printers offer basic rectangle and circle shapes as well as custom shapes, also called die cutting. Kiss cutting is used for stickers that peel off of a larger sheet and often require special set up.)

Standout Stickers - USA
Minimum order: 75 ($30+ depending on size)
Shipping: Usually has shipping promo code for free continental US shipping
Types of stickers: Die Cut Vinyl Stickers, Fridge Magnets, Floor decals, Vinyl Decals

Stickerrobot - USA
Minimum order: 250 ($119+ depending on size)
Shipping: Free (US)
Types of stickers: Die Cut Stickers, Clear Stickers, Kiss Cut Sticker Sheets, Bumper Stickers, Business Card Stickers, Postcard Stickers, Hang Tag Stickers

Sticker App - Sweden
Minimum order: Varies ($10+)
Shipping: Free (US, Canada)
Types of stickers: Die Cut Stickers (Vinyl, Metallic, Glow in the Dark, Glittery, Clear, Prismatic, Epoxy), Kiss Cut Sticker Sheets, Wall stickers, Floor decals

Rockin Monkey - USA
Minimum order: 25 ($19+)
Shipping: $6.95+ 

(US)

Types of stickers:

Die Cut Stickers (Satin UV Coating, Holographic, Glitter Holo, Prismatic, Chrome, Glow in the Dark), Kiss Cut Sticker Sheets

Vinyl Disorder - USA
Minimum order: 25 ($24+)
Shipping: $5+ (US)
Types of stickers: Die Cut Stickers (Vinyl, Clear Vinyl, Static Cling Vinyl, Oil Slick Rainbow Chrome, Reflective Vinyl, Dry Erase, Holo)

Sticker Giant - USA
Minimum order: 125 ($75+)
Shipping: Free (US)
Types of stickers: Label rolls, Die Cut Stickers, Kiss Cut Sticker Sheets, Bumper Stickers

Sticker Ninja - USA
Minimum order: 50 ($50+)
Types of stickers: Die Cut Stickers (Vinyl, Holographic, Vaporwave, Stardust, Chrome, Prism, Clear, Frosted, Glow in the Dark, Fluorescent), Kiss Cut Sticker Sheets, Bumper Stickers,  Sticker Business Cards, Label Rolls

Sticker Canada - Canada
Minimum order: 10 ($23+ CAD)
Shipping: Free (Canada)
Types of Stickers: Paper Stickers, Vinyl Stickers (Transparent, Gold, Silver, Hologram, Embossed, Dome, Kraft Paper, Die Cut)

Jukebox Print - Canada
Minimum order: None ($17+)
Shipping: Free (US, Canada)
Types of Stickers: Die Cut

(Holographic, Gold, Silver, White Ink, Clear, Spot UV), Label Rolls, Sticker Sheets

Awesome Merchandise - USA
Minimum order: 10+ ($13+)
Shipping: Free (US, UK, EU)
Types of Stickers: Vinyl Stickers, Paper Stickers, Kiss Cut, Sticker Sheets, Sticker Packs, Window Stickers, Holographic, Metallic, Floor Stickers

ART PRINTS
Art prints and posters!


Vistaprint - USA

OvernightPrints - USA

MPix - USA

CatPrint - USA
Sparkly holographic print options! Printed our bookmarks for the SpiderForest Kickstarter.

The Printing House - Canada

Costa Print - Canada, high end

Captain Print - Canada, high end

OTHER
Business cards, assorted other merch like glasses cloths, pillowcases, textiles

Best Value Copy - USA
Could

potentially do comics, via their ‘booklets’ or ‘manuals’ options, but

may not be ideal– though they have no minimum order and their rates are

low. They also offer business cards, postcards, posters, calendars, and

assorted other paper-based material.

Juno Creative - China
Acrylic charms, lots of fun options for materials.

Vograce - China
Just about everything! Custom notebooks, keychains (acrylic charms), pins, stickers, pillowcases.

GotPrint - USA

• Business Cards:

  Color glossy cards starting at $7 for 100. You can add rounded corners

  or special shapes for usually only a couple more dollars.

• Bookmarks: Two sizes available (1.5" x 7" and 2" x 8"), starting from $7-$10 for 100.
• Banners (this is where the SF booth banner came from): Lots of size options; a 2‘x6’ banner runs around $22.

Jakprints - USA
Pretty well everything you can think of: cards, stickers, apparel, tote bags, giclee art prints, and so on.

4 Over 4 - USA
General

paper print goods (business cards/postcards/posters) with minimums

around 500-1000 copies. Lots of styles of convention banners.

BuildASign - USA
Convention banners! Durable and low cost.

InkIt Labs - USA
Charms!

Moo - USA
Business cards, greeting cards, postcards, etc. Very good quality.

Artscow - USA
Cards, glasses clothes, and coinpurses (though their prices are high unless you wait for sales)

Spoonflower - USA
Textiles!

The Studio -  USA
All kinds of things– apparel, pins, patches.

Bookplate Ink - USA
Bookplates!

Modell Printing - Canada
Banners and large promotional media.

ChillyPig - USA
Acrylic and wood charms!

Acorn Press - USA
Specializes in charms.

Stadri Emblems - USA
Patches, pins, apparel.

Coastal Reign - Canada
Apparel.

Zap! Creatives - UK
These guys seem to do a whole bunch of things, including stickers and laser-cut charms.

Soft Stuff Creations
- Plushie manufacturer!