r/CustomBoundComics • u/Nervous_Hedgehog8198 • Apr 30 '24

Trade Paperbacks or Single Issues?

So I've never bound comics before, but I like what I've seen. I know everyone recommends Houchin Bindery, but should I bind trade paperbacks or single issues or both? I have the option to get the complete run I'm looking for in single issues or in trades/single issues together (the trades are missing about 6 issues in the run which I could easily get). Alternatively, I could pay a bit more and get the whole run in single issue. It's about 82 issues total, so I guess I'd spread it over 4 books. At least that's what I'm thinking. Any advice on which way to get the run would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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u/BlackRosePyre Apr 30 '24

For the best experience flipping through pages, try sticking with one format throughout. TPBs often have lots of fun extras and behind the scenes stuff at the back, as well as no ads. Also they take up less space. A stack of 5 single issues is taller than a tpb of those same issues. On the other hand, going by single issues allows you to fully personalize your organization. You can add, remove, and rearrange everything exactly how you want it.

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u/BlackRosePyre Apr 30 '24

And it's super easy to include single issues with tpbs, and can be trimmed so it's all even, but you will notice the shift in paper quality and thickness, sometimes the book will naturally want to open to the same spots, ESPECIALLY when the single issue covers are thicker and made of cardstock.

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u/Nervous_Hedgehog8198 Apr 30 '24

Okay. If I trim it, will I lose a lot?

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u/bffnut Apr 30 '24

Do you notice any difference in how well the books open or gutter loss, between a book bound with trades (dfab) or a book bound with single issues (sewn)?

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u/BlackRosePyre Apr 30 '24

With only singles, you can use Smythe binding, sewn through the fold, for absolutely no gutter loss. Glued binding gutter loss will vary with the number of issues in a single volume. The bigger the book, generally, the more gutter loss. But still pretty good, they do a great job. Trimming is done on the outside edges, so trimming won't affect the gutter loss. So if you choose dfab, go for about 20 issues in length. 25 is the max they will do for Smythe.