How to Prepare Comic Files for Mixam
Mixam’s comic spec in one place: 0.125 in bleed, 0.375 in safe area, 300 DPI, RGB accepted, multiples of four, spine width for perfect binding, covers and export settings.
Updated September 26, 2026
Mixam is a favourite with indie creators because it prints single copies, quotes instantly and takes RGB files. Its comic spec is straightforward, and most rejected uploads come down to three things: no bleed, text too close to the edge, and page counts that are not a multiple of four. This follows Mixam's published comic guide at the time of writing; check the current guide before you order, because specs change.
Interior pages
- Trim: pick from Mixam's sizes. US comic is 6.625 x 10.25 in; A5, A4 and digest sizes are also offered.
- Bleed: 0.125 in (3 mm) on all edges, so a US comic page is 6.875 x 10.5 in.
- Safe area: Mixam asks for a generous 0.375 in inside the trim for comics. Keep lettering inside it.
- Resolution: 300 DPI at size.
- Colour: RGB or CMYK accepted; they convert RGB on their end. Saturated blues will shift either way.
- Pages: multiple of four; one PDF, single pages in reading order, not spreads.
The Mixam preset carries these numbers. Apply it to a project and every tool starts from Mixam's trim and bleed, and the page template, the bleed calculator and the drawing canvas's safe guide all show the 0.375 in line.
Cover
For saddle-stitched comics Mixam takes the cover as four pages: front, inside front, inside back, back. For perfect-bound books it wants a single wraparound spread with the spine width from its own calculator. Use the spine calculator to rough it out, then confirm the spine with Mixam's figure for your stock before you finalise spine text.
Export settings
PDF/X-1a or a plain high-quality PDF with bleed included and no crop marks. If you build pages in an image editor, export flattened PNGs at 2063 x 3150 px and assemble them with a tool that sets the TrimBox, or at minimum give Mixam the trim size in the order notes. Run the result through the PDF preflight with the Mixam preset selected and fix anything red before uploading.
Before you pay
- Order one copy first. Mixam's single-copy pricing exists for this.
- Check the darkest page for banding on the stock you chose; silk and gloss show detail that uncoated hides.
- Look at the busiest lettered page against the 0.375 in safe line. That is the check most people skip.