Comic Book Format for Digest?

[frostyshark]

Hello,

I'm wanting to make a graphic novel in Digest size, how would I format the inside?  Do I use the cover template? 

[kevinlomas]

No, not the cover template, which you do not even need for a cover.
There are page templates but unless you know how to change the defaults then they are no good for you.
Write down the exact size of Digest and create a file of pages that size in something like Word.
For margin sizes just open a book and measure them.

[frostyshark]

I think I understand, I went ahead and started a word doc, hopefully it will all make sense to me in the end ^_^;

[kevinlomas]

It usually does, even if not for awhile :-) you can always keep asking for help, just try creating a New Posting for each subject though to avoid confusion!

[endles_uprising]

Hi Frostyshark,

I am also writing graphic novels and recently faced this whole headache with the page sizes- kevinlomas is absolutely right in saying that you should take the dimensions from the digest size book if thats the size you wish for and scaling them up to the same dimesions. I probably would reccommend another programme other than word however as i pressume this is artbased and so maybe photoshop or mangastudio (which you can get 30day free trials of) may help? With these you can certainly scale your pages with prescision and acccuracy.
 I have also included a link to a thread on another site where i asked the same question more or less and got some great advice will may help you. Theres a link included on the reply i got with some examples of teminology to understand and things to bare in mind when scaling up your work.

I hope this helps you in some way, all the best with your graphic novels. 

http://www.penciljack.com/forum/showthread.php?114042-Manga-templates-for-artists-who-wish-to-go-int...

[kevinlomas]

Well indeed, I did not suggest you use Word to create your art in, but just to create the pages in to paste the art to.
You do not need anything as dear as Photoshop though, there are many free progs just as good,

http://photofiltre.en.softonic.com/

and in fact Windows Paint will resize.

[endles_uprising]

Hehe, yes sorry Kevinlomas, I re-read your comments and see what you mean now- sorry for the misinterpretation there

Photoshop is crazy expensive, I honestly don't know how they can justify their prices for the programme, especially not when, as pointed out, so many other programs can do the job and so much more! Anyway i could get very off-subject on that whole debate so I'll just quieten down over here... 

[Ken Anderson]

I never understand why folks complain about the cost of professional software. Such software is produced by teams of professional people who expect to get paid for their labours.

[kevinlomas]

Photoshop is 'industry standard' and most 'pros' are trained for it(which in a way is why they can dare make it so dear) and has all the tools in it, say, for if you want to produce stuff for a daily newspaper or magazine, or remove a zit from some celeb's nose.
It does far more than most people need. Also, when people now say something has been 'Photoshopped', it's used as a generic term as per Google.
The free one I posted the link to is all that most people need.

BTW, Ken, so are top selling games that often sell from as little as £25  It's all about scale of expected sales, but if Adobe stuff was much cheaper perhaps they would sell a lot more?

[mattknieling]

I realize I am catching the tail end of this thread, but I am hoping you all might clarify a point for me (if this should be a new separate thread, I will by all means do so)

I too am working on a Digest sized graphic novel (which Lulu lists at 5.5"x8.5")

I would be more comfortable working in a graphics program like Photoshop, and understand sizing the files at the 5.5"x8.5". However, I am wanting all of my negative space (margins and gutters) to be black, and to lead right up to and over the page edges, with no chance of white tips on an off trim. I understand setting a bleed area, but how large should I set the page size, including the bleed? My concern here is that if I set the overall image too large, the Lulu automation might just reduce my file dimensions by default. Is this a legitimate concern?

To hark back to frostyshark's original question, the Digest cover template is sized for a page of 5.625"x8.75", including the bleed. Would it be safe to assume that this is also a good size for interior pages?

Thanks so much for your help and patience!