Yup, it’s completely free! It’s funded through ads and voluntary donations.

The prices in the Manga & Comic Calculator are based on market conditions in Europe (especially Germany) and English-speaking countries. They’re not set in stone but give a solid starting point for experienced, seasoned artists. Since there’s no global standard for copyright and licensing, terms vary by country. In Germany, the Copyright Act (UrhG) governs usage rights, while in the US, it’s Copyright Law. For regions like Africa, Asia, or South America, where market conditions and laws differ, the prices aren’t directly applicable. That said, the steps to create a comic are pretty similar worldwide.

Every country’s got its own vibe and copyright laws that cover things like protection periods, creator rights, and licensing terms. The Manga & Comic Calculator is tailored for Western markets (Europe, especially Germany, and English-speaking regions). Price differences come from stuff like living costs, market size, print runs, and cultural norms. For example, in Asia (like Japan), manga budgets are often higher but distributed differently due to publishing structures and lower production costs. So, the calculator’s prices won’t directly apply in those regions, but it’s still a great starting point for planning the work steps, which are pretty universal.

After years as a freelance comic artist, I’ve picked up tons of tips and tricks from other creators that helped me grow. Now I want to give back. My goal is to support fellow artists who need to create quotes but can’t afford pricey professional association fees or price catalogs. At the same time, the Manga & Comic Calculator helps publishers, marketers, and advertisers plan their projects better—and yeah, I’d love for them to consider hiring me too. :-)

Comic publishers usually pay artists fixed fees. For black-and-white comics, these range from €50–150 per page (newcomers or small publishers) to up to €800 per page for color comics (experienced pros at mid-to-large publishers). Well-known artists often earn more due to their reputation. In the US, royalties of 5–10% of the net sale price are common, but in Germany and Europe, these are rare.

Promotional comics for companies have stricter legal requirements and are priced differently than standard comics. Fees depend on usage type (simple or exclusive), scope (e.g., print campaigns, social media, e-books), print run, distribution (national or international), and duration. With bigger budgets, fees range from €500–5,000 per single illustration and more per page.

Promotional comics for campaigns, booklets, or marketing materials offer higher fees than the comic industry due to larger budgets and detailed licensing negotiations. New writers earn €50–150 per page, experienced writers €150–500, and for big agencies or international campaigns, even more. Flat fees for short promotional comics often range from €1,000–5,000.

In the German comic industry, fees are lower because the market is smaller and print runs (often 1,000–5,000 copies) are modest compared to the US or Japan. Royalties are rare. New writers get €20–50 per page at small publishers, experienced writers €50–100 at larger ones, and established writers up to €150. Flat fees for an album script typically range from €1,000–3,000.