My comic will be 24 pages, no ads. I'm paying the contributors out of pocket, all of whom I'm very grateful to for giving me rates that make the project possible. Up to now, I've been working under the assumption that this will be a black & white project, but a change in fortune has me with a bit more disposable income than I did before. If I could find a quality colorist within my budget, I might be able to do this full color. However, that doesn't just increase my investment, it increases the printing cost as well.

Printing fee per copy, from http://ka-blam.com/printing/index.php?p ... lator&op=1
* Black & White - $2.14
* Color - $3.24

So, what do you all think? With this info, should I go color or black & white?

I will definitely be looking for digital distribution options as well.

I'd say you should definitely do color for the digital distribution, but that is a pretty steep difference between printing in color and in black and white.

If you can afford color, do it. There are people who won't look at anything black and white.

I know you said you didn't want ads, but putting an ad would decrease your printing cost enough that I think you should consider it, especially if you decide to go color.

Through IndyPlanet.com to start with. I'm looking at other options, but I don't see me going through Diamond.

Good for you. Diamond can seriously blow me.

To add the ad, I'd need to fill three more pages. Pin-ups?

$3.99 a copy is pretty scary number, at least to me.

You may be better off finding a local print shop, like Minuteman Press, that can do you a run of 50 or 100 for much cheaper per copy. Print on Demand is for the birds.

Specially since at that cost, you couldn't price it competitively and make a dime. I'd do what Steve says and see if a local printer can give you a better per copy price for color.

[Edited to add]

Sorry. I misread the instructions.

Why would you need three more pages?

Although I think you should go with what Steve said.

Color: 32 pages with back cover ad: $3.03.
B&W: 32 pages with back cover ad: $1.78.

I suppose doing both may be possible, letting the customer choose. That way I'd have color for digital distribution as well.

To include the add, I'd have to either bump a pin-up or move it to the inside, and I'm not dropping anything. 29 pages isn't an option, gotta have 28 or 32.