I’ve had a lot of artists ask about the Photoshop file I use for creating comic book pages. So instead of repeating myself over and over describing the specs of the file, I thought I’d just offer up a copy of it for free:
Click here to download my Comic Book Page Template.
The original file (which only had a layer for the trim guide) was given to me by the Art Director of Viper Comics when I started work on the first Oddly Normal mini-series and I’ve used it ever since to create comic book pages. I’ve added custom layers over time to suit my own working methods. The file you’re downloading includes a look at my basic layer group system (but I didn’t included everything . . . can’t give away all of my secrets).
Use it, enjoy it and pass it on.
-Otis
You are officially the man. The (definite article) man.
I really want to thank you for this. But — is this accurate? What I mean is: When enlarged, the dimensions are not 10 x 15 (which corresponds to the size of my drawings) for 9.79 X 15, or 10 x 15.3. I’m guessing that was what the AD at Viper wanted.
I’m also a little concerned about the safety gutter outside the printed area.
I was an old school illustrator, going back to the days of brushes and airbrushes and such, and ADs often told me to include some spillover area, “just in case.” So I’d paint non-essential material beyond the boundaries, maybe half an inch. Quite often, the AD would send the piece back, telling me he wanted to include that extra detail along the edges. So I would paint another half inch’s worth of extraneous stuff along all four sides. (Sometimes that was difficult, because I’d have to use acetate overlays.) Then the AD would say that he liked the additional material and wanted MORE bleed…
This must have happened to me about twenty times in my none-too-glorious career. I sure hope it doesn’t occur in comics!
Again, many thanks. I’m an old dog — old enough to have used the very first iteration of Photoshop — and now I’m having to learn some new tricks.
This is for the final comic page. This is not a template for the original artwork.
I don’t do original 10×15 artwork. See this for my process: http://planet-nowhere.com/page-5-process/
I’ve used this template for every comic project I ever worked on that ever went to print. No issues have ever arisen.
-Otis
Correction: I meant to write
“When enlarged, the dimensions are not 10 x 15 (which corresponds to the size of my drawings) but 9.79 X 15, or 10 x 15.3.”
Hope I did not confuse.
thanks for posting this – it’s much appreciated!!
thanks for posting this – it’s much appreciated!!
You’re welcome!
Correction: I meant to write
“When enlarged, the dimensions are not 10 x 15 (which corresponds to the size of my drawings) but 9.79 X 15, or 10 x 15.3.”
Hope I did not confuse.
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
it was very interesting to read.
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
And you et an account on Twitter?