How to Make Comics
by Hand from Scratch
Learn how to make a homemade comic with paper, pencil and ink. A hands-on guide to putting together traditional comics without any software or digital tools.
Making comics by hand is the most accessible, direct way to tell a visual story. You don't need a computer or special software: with basic supplies you can create your own homemade comic and draw comic strips full of expression and personality. In this guide we walk you through the whole process, from the supplies to putting the final pages together.
If you've already mastered the traditional method and want to level up, we also have a guide on how to make digital comics. But first, the essentials: pencil and paper.
Supplies for making a homemade comic
To make comics by hand you only need supplies you probably already have at home. Here are the essentials to start drawing your own comics today.
Pencils
An HB for light sketches and a 2B for more expressive lines. They're the foundation of any hand-drawn comic.
Printer paper or cardstock
Letter or A4 size paper. Plain white sheets are perfectly fine for your first homemade comic.
Markers and ink
A fine black liner (0.3 or 0.5 mm) to ink your panels and give them definition.
Ruler and set square
For drawing straight panel borders. A must for comic pages with a clean layout.
Colors (optional)
Colored pencils, watercolors or markers for coloring. Many hand-drawn comics are simply black and white.
Eraser and white-out
Essential for cleaning up pencil lines before you show off your finished homemade comic.
How to make comics by hand: step by step
Follow this process to create traditional comics from start to finish. For each stage you'll find more detailed guides in our step-by-step comics section.
Create the story and characters
Before you touch the paper, decide what your comic is about. How many characters are there? What's the conflict? A basic script will save you a lot of mistakes later. Learn more about structuring your story in our guide on how to create a story for a comic and about character design in how to draw comic characters.
Write the script
Break the story into scenes and describe what happens in each panel: the action, the dialogue and the expressions. It doesn't have to be perfect; it's just your roadmap. Check out our how to write a comic section for scriptwriting tips.
Lay out the pages
Use a pencil and ruler to draw the panels on each sheet. Decide how many panels fit on each page based on the pacing of your story. Bigger panels add dramatic weight; smaller ones speed up the action. Learn about comic elements and page composition to master this stage.
Sketch it out (thumbnails and roughs)
Inside each panel, lightly pencil in where the characters and backgrounds go. Don't worry about detail: it's a rough to make sure everything fits. If you want to improve your drawing skills, visit how to draw comics.
Ink the lines
With your fine liner, trace the final lines over the pencil sketch. This is when the comic comes to life. Use confident strokes and vary the line weight to add depth: objects up close get thicker lines, distant ones get thinner lines.
Erase the pencil and add the lettering
Once the ink is dry, carefully erase the pencil lines. Then write the dialogue inside the speech balloons and the narration in the caption boxes. Use clear, consistent lettering, or print the text and paste it in if you prefer.
Color it (optional) and assemble the comic
If your comic will be in color, add it at this stage. Then it's time to assemble the comic: put the pages in order, staple or bind them, and your homemade comic is ready. To create digital versions of your hand-drawn work, check out how to make a digital comic.
Tips for a better homemade comic
✏️ When drawing by hand
- Always start with a soft pencil and a light touch.
- Practice your characters' facial expressions before putting them in the comic.
- Use visual references for poses and perspective.
- Don't over-erase; imperfections give the traditional style its character.
📖 When assembling your comic
- Plan the page count before you start drawing.
- Leave enough margin if you're going to bind the pages.
- Number the pages so they don't get mixed up along the way.
- Want to keep it simple? Here are tips for easy comics.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make comics by hand if I can't draw?
Start with simple shapes: stick figures, circles and rectangles are enough to tell a story. What matters is the storytelling. Your drawing will improve with time. Our guide on how to draw comics helps you develop your style from scratch.
What's the difference between a homemade comic and a professional one?
Creatively speaking, none. Professional comics follow the same process: script, sketch, inks and color. The difference lies in the materials and the time invested. A homemade comic is perfectly valid as a work of art and as practice.
How do I put my hand-drawn comics online?
Scan or photograph your pages in good lighting and use them as they are, or edit them in an app to boost the contrast. If you want to go further, learn about digital comics, add bubbles to your scanned pages in our online comic maker or learn how to publish them.
How many panels should a homemade comic have?
There's no fixed number. A page can have anywhere from 3 to 9 panels depending on the pacing. For short comics, 6 to 12 panels in total are usually enough for a complete story. Learn more about comic composition and elements.
Keep learning about comics
Related guides to take your comic to the next level.
Ready to make your first comic by hand?
Follow our complete guide and learn how to make comics from scratch.
See the full guide →Make your comic now
Put this guide into practice in our free comic maker: pick the panels, upload your drawings or photos and add bubbles and sound effects. No sign-up and nothing to install.
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