Update on physical book and digital stretch goals
almost 7 years ago
– Tue, May 14, 2019 at 12:04:14 AM
Hey folks! We wanted to check in and let you know how things are going with both the hardcover book and digital stretch goals
Hardcover book update
We are getting really close to having the book ready for print. We had to do a number of small changes to the print files over the last few weeks. This book contains dozens of illustrations (over 100) and numerous, full-color custom layouts, and the offset printer wants to make sure everything is perfect before they do the print run. This has lead to a lot of back and forth in order to get everything right.
The following is a little complicated, but we want to give you a sense of what the process is like...
We are working with an intermediate in Korea who produces the print proofs. Once the proofs are approved by us, they get sent to the firm that will do the actual offset print run. The first set of proofs looked great (you may recall the pictures we included in the last update). We had to make some adjustments, but overall, everything was very sharp. As it turns out, the firm that does the offset printing wanted some changes. The proofs were produced digitally and the offset printer was concerned that some of our files wouldn't reproduce properly during analog printing. We did not originally create the Volume 1 issues of Codex with printing in mind, and so many of our images are RGB color standard when analog printing wants them to be CMYK. Ultimately, the offset printers decided to make their own adjustments to the files in order to get the most accurate image match. This, however, meant we had to approve a second round of proofs. I got those proofs a couple of weeks ago and we went through and made some adjustments before approving. At this point, we're just waiting to hear from the offset printer after the second round of proofs has been approved.
To be clear, none of this is cause for concern at this point; we still feel confident the offset printer will be able to make Codex Volume 1 look great. It's just a time-consuming process. On the plus side, this has been very instructive. Until you start working with printers, you have no idea how granular the process is. If we ever do a physical collection for Volume 2, I suspect it's going to be much smoother because we have learned so much from doing Volume 1 (also: we created Volume 2 with printing in mind, unlike Volume 1).
In short, we had to go through a second round of proofs, and now we're simply waiting to hear back from the offset printer. Hopefully the book will be printing soon.
Digital Stretch Goals
Lovecraftesque campaign rules. We commissioned some art from storyboard artist Sam Tung for the Lovecraftesque campaign rules. Those illustrations are below. This stretch goal is currently in layout and should be in the stretch goal folder soon.
Monsterhearts 2: Kingsport We have received the text for Kingsport and have commissioned artwork. Once the artwork is returned, we'll send it to layout.
Snow Falling on Chrome We have received the text for Snow Falling on Chrome and have commissioned artwork. Once the artwork is returned, we'll send it to layout.
Calamity Raccoon's Good Time Pizza Farm The project is outlined and being written. Realistically, the text should be done by early to mid-June.
Mercy Falls Campaign The project is outlined and being written. The text should be finished by late June.
Ok, that's it for updates. If you haven't yet filled out your BackerKit survey, please do so. As always, thanks so much for your support!
The Codex Team