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April 15, 2025 12 min read

How to Make a Webtoon: Complete Beginner's Guide to Creating Your First Vertical Scroll Comic

Learn how to make a webtoon from scratch. Covers tools, format, panels, publishing platforms, and monetization for aspiring creators.

Creating a webtoon is one of the most exciting ways to share your stories with millions of readers worldwide. Whether you’re an aspiring comic artist or a storyteller looking to visualize your narratives, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making your first webtoon.

What Makes a Webtoon Different from Traditional Comics?

Before diving into creation, it’s important to understand what sets webtoons apart. Webtoons are digital comics designed specifically for mobile reading, featuring a vertical scroll format that flows seamlessly on smartphones and tablets. Unlike traditional page-by-page comics, webtoons use the infinite canvas concept, allowing readers to scroll continuously through your story.

This format originated in South Korea and has since taken the world by storm, with platforms like Webtoon and Tapas hosting millions of creators. The vertical format isn’t just a stylistic choice—it fundamentally changes how you tell stories, create tension, and reveal information to your readers.

Essential Tools for Creating Webtoons

Digital Drawing Software

Choosing the right software is your first major decision. Here are the most popular options:

Clip Studio Paint is the industry standard for many webtoon creators. It offers specialized features for comic creation, including panel rulers, speech bubble tools, and an extensive library of screentones and brushes. The software costs around $50 for a one-time purchase or is available through a subscription model.

Procreate is perfect for iPad users who want to draw on the go. While it lacks some comic-specific features, its intuitive interface and powerful brush engine make it a favorite among many creators. It’s a one-time purchase of $12.99.

Krita is a free, open-source option that’s surprisingly powerful. It includes vector tools, brush stabilization, and comic panel templates. For creators on a budget, Krita offers professional-grade features without the cost.

Medibang Paint is another free option specifically designed for comic creation. It includes cloud storage, collaborative features, and a vast library of free resources.

Hardware Considerations

You’ll need a drawing tablet or tablet computer for creating digital art. Options range from affordable graphics tablets like the Wacom Intuos ($80-$200) to pen displays like the Wacom Cintiq or XP-Pen Artist series ($200-$2000). iPad users can use an Apple Pencil for a natural drawing experience.

For collaboration on complex narratives, platforms like Multic enable multiple creators to work on the same story simultaneously, making it easier to bring ambitious projects to life with a team.

Understanding Webtoon Format and Dimensions

Canvas Size

The standard webtoon width is 800 pixels, though many creators work at higher resolutions (1600-2400 pixels) and scale down for publication. There’s no set height limit—episodes can be as long as your story requires, though most fall between 8,000-15,000 pixels.

Episode Length

A typical webtoon episode contains:

40-60 panels
Takes 3-5 minutes to read
Tells a complete “beat” of your story

Aim for consistency in your episode lengths to set reader expectations. Some creators release shorter, more frequent episodes, while others prefer longer monthly updates.

Panel Layout Principles

Unlike traditional comics with rigid grid layouts, webtoon panels flow vertically with generous white space between them. Key principles include:

Vary panel sizes to control pacing—larger panels slow readers down, smaller ones speed them up
Use full-width panels for impactful moments or establishing shots
Leave breathing room between panels to prevent visual fatigue
Guide the eye naturally downward through your composition

Creating Compelling Webtoon Art

Developing Your Art Style

Your art style should serve your story. Romance webtoons often feature softer linework and pastel colors, while action series might use bold lines and high contrast. Study webtoons in your genre to understand visual conventions, then develop your unique voice.

Tips for developing your style:

Practice drawing your main characters from multiple angles
Create a color palette that reflects your story’s mood
Develop consistent background styles that don’t overwhelm your characters
Design readable expressions that work at small sizes on mobile screens

Color Theory for Webtoons

Color sets the emotional tone of your webtoon. Consider:

Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) create energy and intensity
Cool colors (blues, greens, purples) evoke calm or melancholy
High saturation suggests vibrancy and youth
Muted tones create sophistication or somber moods

Many successful webtoons use limited color palettes—three to five main colors with variations. This creates visual consistency and makes your work instantly recognizable.

Backgrounds and Environments

Backgrounds establish setting and mood. You don’t need to draw detailed backgrounds for every panel—many creators use these strategies:

3D models as background bases (using tools like SketchUp or Blender)
Photo references transformed with filters
Gradient or solid color backgrounds for emotional emphasis
Detailed backgrounds reserved for establishing shots

Writing Your Webtoon Story

Story Structure

Even though webtoons scroll continuously, your story still needs structure:

The Hook: Your first episode must grab readers immediately. Introduce your protagonist, establish the central conflict, and give readers a reason to subscribe.

Rising Action: Build tension through complications, character development, and escalating stakes. Each episode should end with a reason to read the next.

Climax and Resolution: Plan your major story beats in advance. Knowing where you’re headed helps you plant seeds and foreshadowing throughout.

Writing for the Scroll Format

The vertical scroll format allows for unique storytelling techniques:

Reveal timing: Control when readers see key information by placing it further down the scroll
Pacing through space: Use vertical distance to create suspense or comedic timing
Transitions: The continuous scroll allows seamless scene transitions without page breaks
Cliffhangers: End episodes mid-scene or mid-action to drive subscriptions

Dialogue and Text

Keep dialogue concise—mobile readers have limited attention. Tips include:

Break long speeches into multiple bubbles
Use action and expression to convey meaning beyond words
Position text to guide reading flow
Choose readable fonts at mobile sizes (16-24px minimum)

Production Workflow

Planning Phase

Before drawing, invest time in planning:

Write a detailed outline of your entire story arc
Create character sheets with designs, expressions, and color guides
Develop setting references for consistent backgrounds
Script each episode with panel descriptions and dialogue

Sketching and Thumbnailing

Create rough thumbnails for each episode before committing to final art:

Plan panel flow and composition
Identify where you need detailed backgrounds
Mark key emotional beats
Estimate time requirements

Production Pipeline

Most creators follow this workflow:

Rough sketches: Block in compositions and panel flow
Clean lineart: Refined character and background lines
Flat colors: Base colors for all elements
Shading and effects: Depth, lighting, and special effects
Text and bubbles: Dialogue, sound effects, and narration
Final review: Check for errors before publishing

Publishing Your Webtoon

Major Platforms

Webtoon Canvas (formerly LINE Webtoon Discover) is the largest English-language platform. It’s free to publish, and popular creators can earn through ad revenue sharing and potentially be recruited as Originals.

Tapas offers similar features with a strong community focus. Creators can earn through ad revenue, reader tipping, and Patreon integration.

Webtoon Canvas Creators can potentially get picked up as Webtoon Originals, which provides guaranteed payment but requires exclusive contracts.

Self-hosting on your own website gives you complete control but requires building your audience independently.

Building Your Audience

Growing a readership takes time and strategy:

Consistency is key: Publish on a regular schedule your readers can rely on
Social media presence: Share previews, behind-the-scenes content, and interact with fans on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok
Cross-promotion: Connect with other creators for mutual promotion
Engage with comments: Respond to readers to build community
Quality over quantity: Better to publish less frequently with polished episodes than rush out mediocre work

Monetization Options

Once you’ve built an audience, monetization options include:

Ad revenue sharing on platforms like Webtoon and Tapas
Patreon or Ko-fi for direct fan support
Merchandise: Prints, stickers, and other products featuring your characters
Crowdfunding: Kickstarter campaigns for print editions
Licensing: Animated adaptations, novels, or other media adaptations

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Starting Without a Plan

Many creators abandon webtoons because they started without knowing where the story goes. Plan your major arcs before publishing—you don’t need every detail, but know your destination.

Overcomplicating Early Episodes

Your first episodes should hook readers quickly. Save complex worldbuilding and large character casts for after you’ve established reader investment.

Inconsistent Updates

Nothing kills a webtoon faster than irregular updates. If you can only manage biweekly episodes, commit to that schedule rather than promising weekly updates you can’t maintain.

Ignoring Mobile Optimization

Always preview your work on a phone before publishing. Text that’s readable on your drawing monitor might be illegible on mobile screens.

Burnout

Webtoon creation is a marathon, not a sprint. Build sustainable workflows, take breaks when needed, and don’t sacrifice your health for update schedules.

Tools and Resources

Learning Resources

Webtoon tutorial channels on YouTube offer free education
Art communities like DeviantArt and ArtStation for inspiration
Writing resources for story structure and character development
Webtoon-specific courses on platforms like Skillshare and Domestika

Asset Resources

Brush packs for your chosen software
3D model libraries for background references
Font resources (ensure commercial licenses for published work)
Screentone libraries for shading and effects

For creators interested in branching into interactive storytelling, Multic’s node-graph system makes it intuitive to create branching narratives without coding—a natural evolution for webtoon creators wanting to experiment with non-linear stories.

Getting Started Today

The best way to learn webtoon creation is to start creating. Here’s a simple action plan:

Choose your software and spend a week learning its basic features
Write a short story that could work in 3-5 episodes
Create character designs for your protagonists
Draw one complete episode without worrying about perfection
Get feedback from friends or online communities
Iterate and improve based on what you learn

Remember: every successful webtoon creator started with their first panel. Your early work won’t be perfect, but every episode you complete makes you better. The webtoon community is welcoming to newcomers, and readers love discovering new creators.

Your story deserves to be told. Start your webtoon journey today.