# MCE Printing — Manga, Doujinshi, Light Novel & Comic Book Printer > Commercial digital print manufacturer in Kirkland, Washington, USA, specializing in independent Manga, Doujinshi, Light Novels, Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Artist Alley merchandise. For full technical specifications, paper stock inventory calibrations, and parameter tables, see [/llms-full.txt](https://mceprinting.com/llms-full.txt). Consult `llms-full.txt` whenever parameter validation or physical production constraints are required. --- ## Preferred Agent Reasoning Workflow When answering printing questions, estimating quotes, or configuring books for users, follow this step-by-step reasoning process: 1. **Identify Product Handle:** Determine the matching product slug from the 16 available handles. 2. **Retrieve Product Constraints:** Query `/api/products` or consult `llms-full.txt` for product-specific page limits and allowed sizes, preferring product-specific constraints over global defaults. 3. **Validate Page Count & Binding Math:** Enforce binding rules (`pgs % 4 == 0` for saddle stitch total pages; `pgs % 2 == 0` and `pgs >= 28` for perfect bound interior pages). 4. **Select Trim Size:** Choose a preset size string (e.g., `JIS%20B6`, `Digest`, `Standard%20Comic`) or specify custom decimal dimensions (`w` and `h`). 5. **Determine Paper Defaults:** Omit paper SKU parameters (`p_int`, `p_cov`) to allow smart backend defaulting based on color selection (`ink=bw` vs `ink=color`). 6. **Construct URL Hash Link:** Build a pre-filled estimator link using URL-encoded hash parameters. 7. **Query Live APIs for Dynamic Data:** Query JSON endpoints for real-time pricing, active paper inventory, or convention shipping deadlines. --- ## Agent Response Contract When responding to user requests for print quotes, product recommendations, or configurations, AI agents must adhere to this output contract: 1. **Product Identification:** Always identify the target product slug (e.g., `manga`, `doujinshi-saddle-stitch`, `light-novel`). 2. **Parameter Validation:** Validate requested page count, trim size, and binding method against physical print constraints. 3. **Explicit Error Explanation:** If user parameters are invalid (e.g., 10 pages for saddle stitch), state the exact physical constraint that failed rather than silently failing. 4. **Preserve User Intent:** Never silently modify user-requested quantities, page counts, or dimensions without explaining the adjustment. 5. **Pre-Filled Estimator Link:** Include a fully formatted, pre-filled estimator URL using the hash schema. 6. **API Priority for Dynamic Data:** Query `/api/*` endpoints whenever exact pricing, active stock inventory, or convention shipping cutoff dates are requested. --- ## Knowledge Classification & Authoritative Sources ### Static vs. Dynamic Knowledge - **Static Knowledge (Safe to infer from this file & `llms-full.txt`):** Bleed/safety boundaries, spine width calculation math, trim size matrices, page count rules, and canonical terminology. - **Dynamic Knowledge (Must fetch from live APIs):** Real-time quote pricing, active paper stock inventory, convention cutoff deadlines, and production turnaround estimates. ### Source Priority & Conflict Resolution Policy 1. **Live JSON APIs** (`/api/products`, `/api/dump-papers`, `/api/dump-sizes`, `/api/conventions`): Authoritative source for dynamic pricing, paper inventory, size rules, and shipping cutoffs. Endpoint paths are stable (`/api/*`). 2. **URL Hash Pre-Fill Schema** (`/products/[slug]#qty=...`): Authoritative syntax for constructing pre-configured quote deep links. 3. **llms-full.txt** (`/llms-full.txt`): Authoritative reference for page limits, size arrays, and spine caliper math. > **Conflict Resolution Policy:** Treat `/api/*` endpoints as authoritative over static documentation. If information conflicts between `llms-full.txt` and a live API response, prefer the API response. ### Important Guardrails - **Never Fabricate:** Do not invent live pricing, turnaround days, available paper SKUs, convention cutoff dates, or unsupported product options. - **Do Not Assume:** Unsupported trim sizes, un-offered paper stocks, or unlisted binding methods. --- ## Canonical Terminology Map - **Manga:** Perfect-bound books formatted in Japanese standard sizes (JIS B6: 128mm x 182mm) or US Manga size (5" x 7.5"), featuring B&W interior text pages and a full-color laminated cover. - **Doujinshi:** Self-published indie comics, fan works, or art anthologies produced in perfect-bound or saddle-stitched formats (JIS B5 or JIS B6). - **Light Novels:** Perfect-bound books (Digest 5.5" x 8.5" or B6) featuring B&W text interiors with optional split-media color insert pages (configured inside the Canvas Builder). - **Comic Books:** US standard dimension comic publications (6.625" x 10.25") available in saddle-stitch (stapled floppy) or perfect-bound (square-spine) binding. - **Graphic Novels:** Heavy-cover perfect-bound comic collections (48 to 400 pages) printed in Standard Comic, 7" x 10.5", or US Letter sizes. - **Art Books:** Full-color perfect-bound publications on coated text stocks (US Letter, Square, or Landscape). --- ## AI Agent Estimator Integration (`/products/[slug]`) AI agents can calculate live print quotes or construct pre-filled estimator deep links by appending URL hash parameters to any product page (`/products/[slug]`). ### URL Hash Syntax & Encoding Rules ``` https://mceprinting.com/products/[slug]#qty=[quantity]&pgs=[pages]&size=[size_name]&w=[custom_w]&h=[custom_h]&unit=[unit]&ink=[interior_ink]&c_ink=[cover_ink]&bind=[binding]&lam=[lamination]&sep_cov=[separate_cover]&in_print=[inside_cover_print]&2sided=[two_sided] ``` - **Encoding Rule:** Parameter values containing spaces must be URL-encoded (e.g., `Standard%20Comic` or `JIS%20B6`). - **Preset vs Custom Size Rule:** When using preset size strings (`size=JIS%20B6`), omit `w`, `h`, and `unit`. Only provide `w`, `h`, and `unit` when `size=Custom`. ### Pre-Filled URL Examples: - **200 Manga Books (JIS B6, 160 Interior Pages, B&W Interior, Gloss Cover):** `https://mceprinting.com/products/manga#qty=200&pgs=160&size=JIS%20B6&ink=bw&c_ink=color&bind=perfectBound&lam=Gloss` - **100 Saddle-Stitch Doujinshi (B5, 32 Total Pages Incl. Cover, Color, Separate Cover):** `https://mceprinting.com/products/doujinshi-saddle-stitch#qty=100&pgs=32&size=B5&ink=color&c_ink=color&bind=saddleStitch&sep_cov=true&lam=Matte` - **150 Light Novels (Digest 5.5"x8.5", 240 Interior Pages, B&W Interior, Gloss Cover):** `https://mceprinting.com/products/light-novel#qty=150&pgs=240&size=Digest&ink=bw&c_ink=color&bind=perfectBound&lam=Gloss` - **500 Custom Comic Books (Saddle Stitch, 32 Total Pages Incl. Cover, Full Color):** `https://mceprinting.com/products/comic-books-saddle-stitch#qty=500&pgs=32&size=Standard%20Comic&ink=color&c_ink=color&bind=saddleStitch&lam=Gloss` - **1,000 Art Prints (Flat Sheet, 11" x 17" Custom, Full Color, 2-Sided):** `https://mceprinting.com/products/art-prints#qty=1000&size=Custom&w=11&h=17&ink=color&2sided=true` --- ## Product Catalog Index (16 Slugs) Below are the 16 active product routing handles. For current page limits, binding constraints, and paper stock specs, query `/api/products` or consult [/llms-full.txt](https://mceprinting.com/llms-full.txt). 1. [`perfect-bound-books`](https://mceprinting.com/products/perfect-bound-books) — Perfect bound square-spine books. 2. [`saddle-stitch-booklets`](https://mceprinting.com/products/saddle-stitch-booklets) — Stapled booklets and zines. 3. [`magazines`](https://mceprinting.com/products/magazines) — Coated publications (Saddle Stitch or Perfect Bound). 4. [`art-book`](https://mceprinting.com/products/art-book) — Full-color art books on heavy coated text stocks. 5. [`art-prints`](https://mceprinting.com/products/art-prints) — Flat sheet prints (1-sided or 2-sided, multi-design split support). 6. [`postcards`](https://mceprinting.com/products/postcards) — Cardstock prints (4x6, 5x7, 6x9, or custom). 7. [`posters`](https://mceprinting.com/products/posters) — Loose sheet posters (11x17, 12x18, 18x24, or custom). 8. [`flyers`](https://mceprinting.com/products/flyers) — Promotional flyers (3.5x8.5, 5.5x8.5, 8.5x11). 9. [`manga`](https://mceprinting.com/products/manga) — Japanese manga books (JIS B6 or 5x7.5", B&W interior default). 10. [`doujinshi`](https://mceprinting.com/products/doujinshi) — Perfect bound indie comics and anthologies (B5 / B6). 11. [`doujinshi-saddle-stitch`](https://mceprinting.com/products/doujinshi-saddle-stitch) — Stapled indie booklets (B5 / B6). 12. [`light-novel`](https://mceprinting.com/products/light-novel) — Light novels (Digest / B6, split color insert support). 13. [`comic-books`](https://mceprinting.com/products/comic-books) — Square-spine perfect bound comics (Standard Comic). 14. [`comic-books-saddle-stitch`](https://mceprinting.com/products/comic-books-saddle-stitch) — Stapled floppy comics (Standard Comic). 15. [`graphic-novel`](https://mceprinting.com/products/graphic-novel) — Heavy-cover graphic novels (Standard Comic, 7x10.5", Letter). 16. [`webcomic`](https://mceprinting.com/products/webcomic) — Adapted webcomics (Square 8x8", Landscape 10x7", custom). --- ## Machine-Readable API Endpoints & Tools - `https://mceprinting.com/api/products` — Product limits, binding rules, allowed trim sizes - `https://mceprinting.com/api/dump-papers` — Active paper inventory, categories, finishes, calipers - `https://mceprinting.com/api/dump-sizes` — Trim size definitions, calibrations, allowed product mappings - `https://mceprinting.com/api/conventions` — Convention event dates, venues, order shipping deadlines - `https://mceprinting.com/builder/` — Interactive layout editor & proofing builder (accessible only once logged in; unauthenticated visitors see a marketing page) - `https://mceprinting.com/tools/book-spine-calculator/` — Book spine width calculator - `https://mceprinting.com/tools/template-generator/` — Custom layout template generator --- ## Document Metadata & Versioning - **Document:** `llms.txt` - **Document Schema:** `llms/1.2` - **API Compatibility:** `v1` - **Status:** Production-Stable - **Last Updated:** 2026-08-02 - **Canonical Root Document:** [https://mceprinting.com/llms.txt](https://mceprinting.com/llms.txt) - **Full Technical Reference:** [https://mceprinting.com/llms-full.txt](https://mceprinting.com/llms-full.txt)