Retailer Exclusive Program & Requirements
INKVERSE PRESS
RETAILER EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM & REQUIREMENTS
Inkverse Press works with approved comic shops and retailers to create retailer-exclusive editions of our comics.
We want to keep the process simple and straightforward while protecting the retailer, the artist, our creators, and the characters and properties published by Inkverse Press.
Final quantities, pricing, artwork specifications, production details, and shipping costs will be confirmed before a project enters production.
1. MINIMUM ORDER
50 Regular Trade-Dress Copies
Each retailer-exclusive project also requires:
10 standard Inkverse Press Publisher Cover A copies
Publisher Cover A copies are separate from the retailer-exclusive order and do not count toward the 50-copy exclusive minimum.
Wholesale Price: $6 per copy
2. VIRGIN & SPECIALTY VARIANTS
Additional versions may be available, including:
Virgin Covers
Foil Covers
Holographic Foil
Metal Covers
Specialty Papers & Finishes
Other Specialty Treatments
Unless otherwise approved by Inkverse Press, specialty treatments have a 5-copy minimum per treatment.
Production pricing varies depending on the treatment, materials, quantity, and manufacturing requirements.
Contact Inkverse Press for current specialty pricing.
3. 1/1 VARIANTS
Retailers ordering 75 qualifying copies may request one available 1/1 variant.
An additional 1/1 may be available for each additional 75 qualifying copies.
Publisher Cover A copies, Artist Proofs, Artist Copies, complimentary copies, and promotional copies do not count toward the 75-copy qualification unless Inkverse Press approves otherwise in writing.
Production pricing for 1/1 editions varies depending on the treatment and materials.
4. COVER CONCEPT & ARTIST APPROVAL
Retailers may propose their own cover concept and artist.
Before production, Inkverse Press must approve the artist, concept, and final artwork.
Depending on the project, Inkverse Press may request a sketch, layout, or work-in-progress image before the artwork is completed.
Approval of an artist or concept does not automatically constitute approval of the final artwork.
Inkverse Press may request reasonable changes when necessary to protect our characters and brand, address rights or production concerns, or avoid conflicts with another approved project.
HOMAGE COVERS: Homage covers are permitted with Inkverse Press approval. The artwork must primarily feature Inkverse Press characters and/or properties and may not simply reproduce the original artwork. Appropriate credit to the original cover artist must be included. Homage covers submitted without appropriate credit will not be approved.
5. HUMAN ARTISTS ONLY — NO GENERATIVE AI
Retailer-exclusive cover artwork must be original, human-created artwork.
Generative-AI-created visual artwork is not permitted unless Inkverse Press specifically approves a particular use in writing.
Artwork may not contain stolen, plagiarized, copied, improperly traced, rented, borrowed, or otherwise unauthorized material.
This requirement applies to the complete artwork, including characters, backgrounds, objects, effects, and other visual elements.
6. RETAILER & ARTIST RESPONSIBILITY
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the retailer selects, commissions, and pays its artist.
Artist fees are separate from Inkverse Press printing, production, licensing, specialty-treatment, and shipping costs.
The retailer is responsible for taking reasonable steps to make sure its commissioned artist has the right to create and provide the submitted artwork.
Inkverse Press may require the artist to complete an Artist Authorization & Artwork Release before production begins.
If artwork supplied by the retailer or its artist results in a copyright, trademark, ownership, AI-use, or other third-party claim, responsibility will be handled according to the signed Retailer Exclusive Licensing Agreement and applicable law.
7. USE OF RETAILER-EXCLUSIVE ARTWORK
The retailer and artist may use images of the approved cover to advertise, promote, and sell the authorized comic.
Retailer-exclusive artwork incorporating Inkverse Press characters, logos, trademarks, or other intellectual property may not be reused for another commercial product without prior written permission from Inkverse Press.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Art Books
Other Comics or Publications
Prints & Posters
Trading Cards
Apparel
Stickers
Collectibles
Merchandise
Digital Products
NFT or Blockchain Products
Additional uses may require a separate written license and additional licensing fees.
Approval for one product or project does not automatically authorize another.
8. INKVERSE PRESS USE OF EXCLUSIVE ARTWORK
Subject to the artist’s written authorization, Inkverse Press may reproduce, publish, display, advertise, promote, archive, and prepare approved retailer-exclusive artwork for production and other authorized Inkverse Press uses.
These uses may include the Inkverse Press website, social media, advertising, conventions, catalogs, promotional materials, collected editions, cover galleries or collections, art books, anniversary or retrospective publications, and other uses specifically authorized by the artist.
Rights not granted to Inkverse Press in writing remain with the applicable rights holder.
9. NO AI TRAINING
Inkverse Press intellectual property, character reference material, scripts, unreleased materials, production files, and retailer-exclusive artwork may not knowingly be uploaded, supplied, licensed, or authorized for use in training or fine-tuning generative-AI systems or datasets without prior written authorization from Inkverse Press and, where applicable, the artist.
10. ARTIST PROOFS & ARTIST COPIES
Artist Proof (AP) copies designated for an Inkverse Press retailer-exclusive project belong to Inkverse Press unless otherwise agreed in writing.
AP copies are separate from the retailer’s commercial print run and do not count toward minimum-order, specialty-treatment, or 1/1 qualifications.
Retailers and artists do not automatically receive AP copies.
Artist Copies may be requested separately at an additional cost and may receive initials or another approved designation distinguishing them from AP copies.
Contact Inkverse Press for Artist Copy availability and pricing.
11. RETAILER LOGO & INKVERSE BRANDING
An approved retailer logo may be included on the comic where permitted by Inkverse Press.
Logo placement and size are subject to approval.
Inkverse Press logos, character logos, trademarks, title treatments, trade dress, copyright notices, and other branding may not be materially altered without prior approval.
12. RELEASE DATE, PRINT RUNS & REPRINTS
Retailers must provide a planned release date and notify Inkverse Press of material changes.
Only the authorized quantity and editions may be commercially released.
Reprints require prior written approval from Inkverse Press.
Additional quantities, specialty treatments, altered trade dress, convention editions, additional 1/1 editions, or other new versions may require new pricing, production approval, or a new written authorization.
Printer proofs, test copies, make-readies, spoilage, damaged copies, misprints, and unauthorized overruns do not automatically become retailer inventory available for sale.
13. PRICING & PAYMENT
Final production pricing depends on quantity, format, specialty treatments, materials, packaging, shipping, and other production requirements.
Retailers are responsible for applicable printing, treatments, packaging, shipping or freight, taxes, and other agreed project costs.
Full payment is required when the final order is placed unless Inkverse Press agrees otherwise in writing.
Once an order has been accepted for production, it cannot be canceled unless Inkverse Press agrees otherwise in writing.
Any additional production charges will be disclosed before the applicable work is finalized.
INKVERSE PRESS MINIMUM RETAIL PRICING POLICY
Inkverse Press establishes minimum retail prices for applicable titles and editions participating in the Retailer Exclusive Program.
Retailers may advertise and sell these editions above the applicable minimum retail price, but may not advertise or sell them below the applicable minimum retail price, except where Inkverse Press has approved a promotional or seasonal exception in writing.
Approved exceptions may include holiday promotions, special events, convention promotions, or other limited promotional periods approved by Inkverse Press.
This policy applies to applicable Inkverse Press products and is intended to operate only to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Publisher Cover A — Regular Trade Dress: $12
Retailer Exclusive — Regular Trade Dress: $15
Publisher Virgin: $15
Retailer Exclusive Virgin: $20
Publisher Foil: $30
Retailer Exclusive Foil: $30
Publisher Metal: $45
Retailer Exclusive Metal: $50
1/1 Variant: $100
Other Specialty Treatments: Minimum retail pricing may vary depending on the treatment, materials, and production requirements. Contact Inkverse Press for applicable pricing.
14. INKVERSE PRESS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Inkverse Press and its applicable rights holders retain ownership of Inkverse Press characters, titles, stories, scripts, logos, trademarks, character designs, likenesses, fictional worlds, branding, and other intellectual property.
Participation in the Retailer Exclusive Program does not transfer ownership of Inkverse Press intellectual property to the retailer or artist.
Commissioning or paying an artist also does not give the retailer ownership of Inkverse Press intellectual property.
Retailers receive only the limited rights specifically authorized for the approved project.
Inkverse Press characters, trademarks, artwork, logos, or other intellectual property may not be used for another product, publication, advertisement, merchandise item, or commercial purpose except as specifically authorized in writing.
15. CONFIDENTIAL & UNRELEASED MATERIAL
Any unreleased scripts, artwork, character designs, reference materials, production files, or other confidential materials supplied by Inkverse Press for a retailer-exclusive project may be used only for that project.
These materials may not be publicly released, distributed, sold, shared with unauthorized parties, or used for another purpose without Inkverse Press approval.
16. PROGRAM VIOLATIONS
Material violations of the Retailer Exclusive Program or signed agreement may result in suspension or cancellation of a project, withdrawal of authorization, termination of the applicable agreement, or Inkverse Press declining future collaborations.
Violations may include:
Unauthorized use of Inkverse Press intellectual property
Unauthorized reprints or additional editions
Unauthorized merchandise or reuse of artwork
Prohibited generative-AI artwork
Stolen, copied, plagiarized, improperly traced, rented, borrowed, or otherwise unauthorized artwork
Nonpayment
Materially false or misleading information
Failure to follow approved production requirements
Other material violations of the signed agreement
Claims, losses, damages, legal costs, and other remedies resulting from a violation are governed by the signed Retailer Exclusive Licensing Agreement and applicable law.
17. RETAILER EXCLUSIVE LICENSING AGREEMENT
Every retailer-exclusive project requires a signed Inkverse Press Retailer Exclusive Licensing Agreement unless Inkverse Press agrees otherwise in writing.
This webpage provides an overview of the program and does not replace the signed agreement.
The signed agreement, applicable invoice or written project authorization, artwork approvals, and final production specifications establish the final terms for each project.
Program requirements, production pricing, minimum quantities, available treatments, and other production details may change.
HOW IT WORKS
1. CONTACT INKVERSE PRESS
Tell us which title and issue you’re interested in and what you have in mind.
2. SUBMIT YOUR IDEA & ARTIST
Send us your cover concept and proposed artist.
3. ARTWORK APPROVAL
Inkverse Press reviews the artist and concept. Depending on the project, we may request sketches or work-in-progress artwork before final approval.
4. CHOOSE YOUR OPTIONS
Select your quantity, cover versions, specialty treatments, and any requested Artist Copies.
5. AGREEMENT & PAYMENT
Review and sign the Inkverse Press Retailer Exclusive Licensing Agreement and approve your final order and project costs.
6. PRODUCTION
Once the required artwork approvals, documentation, and payment are complete, the retailer exclusive moves into production.
QUESTIONS?
Have an idea for an Inkverse Press retailer exclusive?
Contact Inkverse Press and let’s talk about it.
Independent Comics. Original Creators. Retailer Exclusives.
RETAILER EXCLUSIVE LICENSING AGREEMENT
Download, Print & Sign the Retailer Exclusive Licensing Agreement
*Program Notice: Inkverse Press reserves the right to update or modify program requirements, pricing, minimum quantities, available treatments, and policies from time to time. Changes will apply to future orders and projects unless otherwise agreed in writing. Orders already accepted by Inkverse Press will remain subject to the terms agreed upon for that order.