LBC/Waco Comic Bookbindery

[VinceB]

I've come to the conclusion that bagging and boarding comics, while increasing the longevity of my precious periodicals, is ultimately not a good thing. Once bagged, I put 'em in a box and never read them, again. It's like they don't even exist. So, I've decided to try binding some runs (first off: the Kelley Jones Batman run), but I have ZERO experience with any of the companies that specialize in this kind of thing.

Has anyone dealt with the Library Binding company mentioned on the CGS forum or other outfits? I've been to the LBC site, but they don't list any prices...

SO, YOU WANT TO BIND YOUR COMICS....

This thread is very long, so here are some basics to get you started. 

FAQs:
Aziz's page
The Marvel Masterworks Fan Site page
You should be able to answer most of your question with help from these 2 resources.

LIST OF BINDERIES:
This list is not exhaustive, but it's a good starting point: BINDERIES

[JasonP]

Does anyone have any cool projects in the pipe line?

I"m thinking about selling my Thor by Simonson volumes and maybe my complete JSA by Johns.

Are you going to include the JLA Black Lightning Saga issues in that bind?  I am just curious as I am in the process of collecting that for a bind. 

[AzizBawany]

Are you going to include the JLA Black Lightning Saga issues in that bind?  I am just curious as I am in the process of collecting that for a bind. 

I'm pretty sure I skipped those. I didn't like Meltzer's run at all, and I feel like the events in that book had little affect on the rest of Johns' run.

[Jeppe]

So I'm thinking of preparing a new custom volume, containing some of Alan Moore's newer short work. So far I want to include Neonomicon 1-4, The Courtyard, and Light of thy Countenance.

Any other ideas for Moore works to include? Preferably shorter things in the same horror/mindfuck vein as the above mentioned. Thanks! 

[Jeppe]

Woo, just got word that my first order with H&R is done and will ship out tomorrow. So excited to see the results  

And $123 for six volumes including shipping? That's a damn fine price in my opinion.

[Pat Moleman]

Woo, just got word that my first order with H&R is done and will ship out tomorrow. So excited to see the results 

And $123 for six volumes including shipping? That's a damn fine price in my opinion.

I just got the same email. I can't wait to see mine. This will be my second H&R batch of bound books. 

[Eric Williams]

Sending out a batch to H&R on Monday!  Excited, as I had one batch of 5 binds through Waco and this will be my first go round with H&R

[batcavejanitor]

Was wondering if I could get some feedback on a custom cover template for my first bind. I'm doing the first 23 issues of Secret Six. The map is just the first 22 issues plus the Blackest Night/Suicide Squad tie-in. The template isn't exact, I still haven't measured the thickness, but before I started fine-tweaking it I was hoping for some feedback.

Be gentle:



Also, where would you suggest I write out the map? And I was thinking about including the Birds of Prey issues they were featured in (#105, 106, and 107 I think) as a kind of pre-Secret Six ongoing, thoughts?

Thanks everyone!! If this works I'll be binding as many of my comics as I can.

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

Was wondering if I could get some feedback on a custom cover template for my first bind.

I love the front and back. If it were my design, I'd try to grab the Secret Six logo somewhere and make it as big as possible on the spine, instead of the typed text you used. I'd also reduce the size of the volume number, but I suspect these things are just personal preference. It looks really good. 

[APD]

  I got back my first Custom bound volumes back from Herring and Robinson and I thought they turned out great.  There are a few things I need to adjust for next time, but as a first time trial thing I thought they turned out better than expected.  For anyone unsure about Herring and Robinson, these guys do a fantastic job and are really nice people to work with.

The First two Firestorm pictures are the front covers and the next two are the backs.   

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

It would be very useful for folks if you shared what you learned from your trial and error.  Don't hoard knowledge!

[APD]

It would be very useful for folks if you shared what you learned from your trial and error.   Don't hoard knowledge!

 

  Haha, I wasn't trying to hoard anything.  The thought just didn't cross my mind.

Basically the biggest thing was the "Bleed" factor in making these.  I didn't know what that was supposed to mean.  What it ends up being is you are supposed to add about an extra 1/2 in. to your custom cover so that they can use that section to roll around the cover and glue down.  That is why on my binds you can see they have a black rim around them.  That was supposed to be the extra fro them to rap around the cover, but I didn't realize that to the original size you then have to add 1/2 an inch.  

So when your done if the bind measures let say 7 in. then when you plan out the custom cover make sure it measures 7 1/2 in.  That way your cover goes all the way to the edges of the volume and you are not left with the black strip border.

That was pretty much the biggest surprise moment in the binding process.

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

Basically the biggest thing was the "Bleed" factor in making these.  I didn't know what that was supposed to mean.  What it ends up being is....

Now that knowledge goes into the repository! karma.

[Kenney]

Man, those binds are hot dopeness.

[VinceB]

Any other ideas for Moore works to include? Preferably shorter things in the same horror/mindfuck vein as the above mentioned. Thanks! 

Yuggoth Cultures, also from Avatar.

[Kamakazi010654]

Yuggoth Cultures, also from Avatar.

So Vince you started this topic saying you were going to bind some stuff. What did you end up getting bound? I'm sure it is in here somewhere, but there are a crapload of posts in here now.

[Jeppe]

Yuggoth Cultures, also from Avatar.

Thanks Vince, I knew I was forgetting something. I'll try to get a hold of a copy right away!

Also, and I'm sorry if this has come up previously in the thread, but does anyone have any good resources on how and where to make custom dust jackets? I really like the look of a classic library bind and don't feel like investing in laminated covers, but I would also love to play around with some nice dust jackets.

[Pat Moleman]

Those are awesome books APD. Firestorm is something I am going to be binding eventually. The old and new series.

I just got my newest batch from H&R back today.

After I had sent out my books, IDW said they are going to reprint TMNT. D'OH! I used a lot of second prints of the early Turtles issues so I could get backup stories. I wonder if those will see print, Or the awesome Richard Corben four page color story.

[APD]

Those are awesome books APD. Firestorm is something I am going to be binding eventually. The old and new series.

Eventually I plan on binding the old Firestorm stuff too, but I am still missing quite a few scattered issues throughout the run.  That stuff is definitely worth having on your shelf.

[Jeppe]

I just got my first batch of bound volumes back from H&R today, and I'm really pleased with the result! 

They contain the first 115 issues of Legends of the Dark Knight plus all the Annuals, the #0 issue, and the Destroyer tie-ins around #27.

[Dean S.]

Just sharing a little tidbit that all of use binders are probably aware of, but I (at least) had forgotten its importance.

When binding titles that have one-shots, annuals, cross overs, etc. (like....say.....X-Men), it is a bajillion times easier to go ahead and put the issues in order (or even tear them up for binding) AS you are reading them rather than trying to go back 6 months later and put them back into order. 

I say this as I'm sitting here on a rainy morning trying to get all the Uncanny Annuals inserted into the proper place amongst the regular issues, but it's also true for present day stuff that you might want to bind.

Anyhow....