How to Make a Clean CBZ Comic From Scanned Pages
Turn scanned comic or manga pages into a correctly ordered CBZ with sensible image settings, cover handling, metadata, and quality checks.
A CBZ comic is just a set of page images in the right order inside a ZIP file. The important work happens before you make the archive: crop the scans, rotate them correctly and give them names that sort properly.
Once the pages look right, making the CBZ is easy. Put the numbered images into one folder, ZIP them and change the new archive's extension from `.zip` to `.cbz`.
Prepare the page images first
Use one image per page. Crop away scanner borders, rotate sideways pages and make sure the cover is first. Do not over-clean the scan until fine lettering and grey tones disappear.
Name the files `0001`, `0002`, `0003` and so on. The leading zeros keep the pages in order even in very simple comic readers.
How to build the CBZ
Put the scans in one new folder
Only include the pages that belong in this comic. Move notes, thumbnails and temporary files somewhere else.
Rename and check the pages
Use `0001.jpg`, `0002.jpg` and so on. Open the folder in name order and make sure the cover and final page are correct.
Create a ZIP archive
On macOS, select the page files, right-click and choose Compress. On Windows, use Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
Change `.zip` to `.cbz` and test it
Open the CBZ in the comic reader you use. Check page 1, pages around 9 and 10, a double spread and the final page.
Common problems
The CBZ opens as an empty comic
The ZIP contains a folder instead of page images at its top level.
Create the ZIP from the selected image files rather than compressing their parent folder.
Pages are out of order
The names do not sort consistently.
Use four-digit names such as 0001 and 0010.
Text looks harsh or disappears
The scans were cleaned or compressed too aggressively.
Return to the original scans and use gentler settings.
Frequently asked questions
Is CBZ really just ZIP?
Yes. It is a ZIP archive containing comic page images, using a `.cbz` extension so comic readers recognise it.
Can I include folders inside it?
Some readers allow them, but a flat list of page images is the safest option.
How should I name the cover?
Make it the first numbered page, usually `0001.jpg`.
Do I need special converter software?
Not for a folder of finished page images. A converter is useful when the source is PDF, CBR or another format.
Extra: JPG or PNG for scanned pages
Use JPG for colour or greyscale scans when file size matters. Use PNG when the art is very clean black-and-white line work and JPG creates visible fuzz around the lines.
Make the choice from one difficult page with small text and screentones. A huge PNG is not automatically a better reading file if it makes the reader slow.
