Custom Manga Printing
Manga isn’t just a comic book printed smaller. At QinPrinting, we print authentic manga with right-to-left binding, B6 digest sizing (5″ × 7.5″, the Japanese standard), and uncoated paper designed to reproduce screentone art without excessive show-through. Whether you’re publishing a doujinshi, a serialized tankōbon volume, or a full-color art book, we handle manga the way it’s meant to be produced.
We provide custom manga printing services for indie creators, doujinshi artists, Kickstarter publishers, and professional mangaka. Full-color offset printing with dedicated prepress verification for right-to-left pagination, from 100 copies and up. Our team has worked with Japanese-style publishers since 2015.
Softcover Manga Book Quote
Cover and Interior Materials
Manga interiors are usually printed on lightweight paper to balance print clarity and cost. You can choose between coated and uncoated options depending on the effect you want—smooth and glossy for image-rich designs, or uncoated for a more traditional or textured feel.
For covers, the paper choice often depends on your binding style. We typically use heavier coated or uncoated stock, but you can also use the same paper as the interior—known as a “self-cover.” Self-covers are the most inexpensive option.
Bindings
The right binding depends on your page count, budget, and how you want the book to be read. These are the main options:
Interior pages are grouped into sewn signatures and cased into a hard cover. A great choice for collector’s editions or premium campaigns.
Saddle stitch and perfect binding are the most common options for manga, providing both flexibility and a professional finish. Hardcovers cost more but add value and durability. We’ll guide you through the trade-offs depending on your print run, length, and budget.
Finish Options
They say you shouldn’t judge a manga by its cover—but we all do! A stunning cover grabs attention and encourages people to pick up your manga, whether in a store or online. At QinPrinting, we offer a full range of finishing options to make your manga stand out and look truly professional.
These include:
Shiny and reflective, perfect for vibrant graphics and photos.
Glossy highlights on specific areas for a striking contrast.
Smooth and non-reflective for a simple yet professional design.
Similar to matte lamination, but the resulting surface has a delightful, almost velvet feel.
A glossy finish applied to specific areas for a bold and distinct look.
Metallic or pigmented foil for a shiny, eye-catching effect. Available in gold, silver, rose gold, and more.
Raised designs for added texture and elegance.
A recessed design that creates a tactile impression on the cover, adding texture and sophistication.
Thin metallic foil—usually gold, silver, or bronze—is applied to the trimmed edges of your book's pages.
Custom patterns and images are sprayed on the edges for a truly unique appearance.
Print your design on a special paper that reflects light in a rainbow-like pattern.
Wrap your book in a durable synthetic leather material.
Cover your book with woven linen or cotton fabric.
Uses a custom-made metal die to cut paper into specific shapes.
A row of small holes that makes it easy to tear off part of the paper.
A built-in tape that allows the paper to be opened easily and cleanly by pulling along the strip.
Bulk Manga Printing
We specialize in bulk manga printing for publishers, distributors, and creators running large campaigns or restocking volumes. Whether you're printing 500 or 50,000 copies, our offset printing facilities guarantee sharp lines, consistent color, and cost-effective per-unit pricing. Bulk orders also allow for advanced finishing options like foil stamping, spot UV, or special inserts, making your volumes stand out while keeping production efficient.
Manga Crowdfunding
If you're funding your manga through Kickstarter or another platform, we're here to help. We offer free artwork templates, expert file checks, and tailored support to help you launch your campaign with confidence. Our team can advise on specifications, suggest economical formats, and even provide early quotes for budgeting.
Why Choose QinPrinting for Your Manga
Manga printing isn’t the same as standard book printing. Here’s what makes us different when you print with us:
Right-to-Left Pagination Verification
Authentic manga reads right-to-left — pages flow from back to front by Western standards. Our prepress team specifically verifies manga page order before production begins. We’ve corrected countless files where creators accidentally uploaded left-to-right pagination. No surprises, no costly reprints.
Paper Selection for Screentone Art
Black-and-white manga lives or dies by how screentone patterns reproduce. We offer 60 gsm / 70 gsm lightweight uncoated paper that absorbs ink cleanly. It’s the same paper weight used by major Japanese publishers for standard tankōbon. For full-color manga, we also stock 80# and 105# gloss text paper. Most printers don’t understand screentone paper requirements — we do.
B6 Digest and Custom Manga Sizes
We print the full range of manga trim sizes: standard B6 digest (5″ × 7.5″), popular tankōbon size (6.625″ × 10.25″), economical sizes (5.5″ × 8.5″ and 8.5″ × 11″), and custom dimensions for art books or doujinshi. Every size is priced in our instant calculator.
Dust Jackets and Color Inserts
Japanese manga hallmarks — removable dust jackets (often with bonus artwork hidden underneath), full-color insert pages for splash art and character profiles, and variant covers for limited editions. All in-house, no outsourcing. Adding a dust jacket to your English-language release instantly signals authenticity to manga readers.
Factory-Direct Pricing for Indie Creators
We print in our own facility in China, which has handled Japanese publishing overflow for decades. Our clients typically save 30–40% on manga production, with equivalent quality. For doujinshi artists running 100–200 copies or Kickstarter-funded runs of 1,000+ volumes, the savings add up fast.
FAQs
Do you support right-to-left (Japanese-style) manga binding?
Yes. Authentic manga is bound on the right side with pages reading from back to front by Western standards. Our prepress team specifically checks manga page order before production — we’ve corrected many files where creators accidentally uploaded left-to-right pagination.
How to prepare a right-to-left file:
- Page 1 should be what Western readers call the “back cover”
- Spreads read right-to-left within each two-page layout
- Your PDF should be paginated in Japanese reading order throughout
If you’re unsure, send us your file. We’ll verify pagination before quoting.
What paper do you recommend for manga with screentones?
For traditional black-and-white manga with screentone patterns, we recommend 60 gsm or 70 gsm uncoated (offset) paper — the same weight used by major Japanese publishers for tankōbon volumes. Here’s why:
- Uncoated paper absorbs ink cleanly, preserving the soft matte texture manga readers expect
- Light weight minimizes show-through, so panels on one side don’t bleed into the other
- 60–70 gsm keeps manga’s characteristic portable, hand-friendly feel
For full-color manga or manga with heavy color insert sections, we recommend 80 gsm or 105 gsm gloss or matte coated paper, which reproduces color more vibrantly. For art books or premium collector editions, 128–157 gsm coated paper with lamination gives a magazine-quality feel.
Can you print dust jackets for tankōbon-style manga?
Yes. Dust jackets are a hallmark of Japanese manga publishing — nearly every tankōbon volume ships with one in Japan. The printed jacket wraps over the actual cover, often concealing bonus artwork, author notes, or easter eggs underneath.
We print manga dust jackets with:
- Lightweight coated paper (typically 128 gsm or 157 gsm) with matte, gloss, or soft-touch lamination
- Optional foil stamping or spot UV on the front cover or spine
- Bonus inside artwork printed on the interior of the jacket (pure Japanese manga tradition)
Adding a dust jacket to your English-language release instantly signals quality and authenticity to manga readers. Ask us for dust jacket pricing when you request a quote.
What is the minimum order quantity?
The minimum order is 100 copies.
How much does it cost to print a manga?
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16pp + 4pp | $1.38 unit $138 total |
$0.37 unit $184 total |
$0.23 unit $230 total |
$0.16 unit $314 total |
$0.12 unit $618 total |
$0.10 unit $1,010 total |
| 20pp + 4pp | $1.89 unit $189 total |
$0.50 unit $250 total |
$0.31 unit $307 total |
$0.20 unit $409 total |
$0.16 unit $776 total |
$0.12 unit $1,235 total |
| 32pp + 4pp | $1.82 unit $182 total |
$0.50 unit $249 total |
$0.31 unit $314 total |
$0.23 unit $456 total |
$0.18 unit $915 total |
$0.16 unit $1,641 total |
| 40pp + 4pp | $2.35 unit $235 total |
$0.64 unit $322 total |
$0.40 unit $402 total |
$0.29 unit $574 total |
$0.23 unit $1,154 total |
$0.20 unit $2,037 total |
- Cover: 105 gsm / 40 lb coated cover paper
- Interior: 105 gsm / 70 lb coated text paper, full color printing
- Please note that all prices are EXW (Ex Works) our facility and do not include shipping costs.
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16pp + 4pp | $1.84 unit $184 total |
$0.51 unit $255 total |
$0.32 unit $315 total |
$0.23 unit $456 total |
$0.18 unit $912 total |
$0.17 unit $1,658 total |
| 20pp + 4pp | $2.37 unit $237 total |
$0.65 unit $326 total |
$0.40 unit $401 total |
$0.28 unit $569 total |
$0.23 unit $1,135 total |
$0.20 unit $1,996 total |
| 32pp + 4pp | $2.86 unit $286 total |
$0.80 unit $402 total |
$0.51 unit $510 total |
$0.38 unit $751 total |
$0.30 unit $1,516 total |
$0.28 unit $2,801 total |
| 40pp + 4pp | $3.44 unit $344 total |
$0.97 unit $485 total |
$0.63 unit $627 total |
$0.46 unit $915 total |
$0.38 unit $1,883 total |
$0.34 unit $3,400 total |
- Cover: 105 gsm / 40 lb coated cover paper
- Interior: 105 gsm / 40 lb coated cover paper
- Please note that all prices are EXW (Ex Works) our facility and do not include shipping costs.
Pricing depends on quantity, page count, paper, and binding. Use our Printing Cost Calculator for an instant quote.
What are the common manga sizes?
Manga dimensions vary depending on genre, format, and design. Here are a few of the most popular sizes:
- Standard Manga Size: 5″ × 7.5″
- Popular Manga Size: 6.625″ × 10.25″
- Economical Sizes: 5.5″ × 8.5″ and 8.5″ × 11″
- Alternative Size: 6″ × 9″
We also support custom dimensions to ensure your layout and visual flow match your creative intent.
What are the differences among doujinshi, manga, comic and graphic novel?
We welcome all creators, whether you’re making a personal doujinshi, a mainstream manga, or something in-between. Here’s a quick overview:
- Doujinshi: Fan-made or indie works, often self-published and produced in small runs. Usually saddle-stitched and printed on budget-friendly paper.
- Manga: Japanese-style comics with a strong focus on visual storytelling, often serialized and collected in volumes. Typically perfect bound.
- Comics: A broader category that includes Western single-issue stories and series, often in full color.
- Graphic Novels: Longer, standalone works—fiction or nonfiction—bound like traditional books and often printed in color on heavier stock.
We support all formats and offer expert advice on choosing the right materials, size, and binding for your project.
What is the production time?
5–10 business days for paperbacks. Shipping time varies by location and method.
Are there eco-friendly options?
How should I prepare my files?
To ensure the best print quality for your mangas, please submit your files in the following format:
- High-resolution PDF (300dpi) for sharp, clear images.
- 3mm bleed on all sides of the design to prevent cutting errors.
- Embedded fonts to avoid text issues.
If you need assistance with file preparation, feel free to contact us!
Do you offer file checking?
Yes, we provide a free manual file check.
Do you offer proofs?
Yes, we provide both digital and physical proofs. Digital proofs help you review the layout on screen, while physical proofs allow you to check the material, color, and finish before mass printing. Visit our Proof Support Page or contact our team for help.
Printing File Requirements
Getting your files press-ready is the single most important step before printing. Follow these four requirements
Add Bleed
Extend backgrounds and images 0.125" (3 mm) beyond the trim edge on every side.
Convert Colors to CMYK
Convert your color space from RGB to CMYK
Resolution: 300 PPI
Make sure the resolution for your images is 300 PPI.
Export as PDF
Save your final artwork as a print-ready PDF.
Manual File Check by Our Pre-Press Team
Every QinPrinting order includes a free file check by a real person — not automated software. Our pre-press team reviews your files for all of the above before anything goes to press. If something needs fixing, we’ll tell you exactly what it is and how to correct it.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Real feedback from businesses who trust QinPrinting
Let's Talk
Whether you’re an indie creator, a seasoned mangaka, or launching a new series, we’re here to support your print journey from idea to finished book. Contact us today for a custom quote or to chat through your plans with one of our experienced manga printing specialists.
