press-kitcreativesresources

How to Build a Press Kit for a Graphic-Novel IP Studio (Template Inspired by The Orangery)

UUnknown

2026-02-14

10 min read

A step-by-step press kit template for transmedia graphic-novel studios preparing for agency reps and global pitches in 2026.

Hook — Your IP is powerful. Your press kit shouldn't make it work harder.

Pitching a graphic-novel IP studio to agencies and global buyers in 2026 means competing on clarity, verifiable traction, and rights-readiness. Too many creators still send scattered PDFs, low-res art, and vague rights notes — and lose agency meetings to teams who present polished, rights-cleared, data-backed packs. This guide gives a step-by-step, practitioner-ready press kit template tailored for transmedia IP studios preparing for agency representation and global pitches — inspired by the recent WME signing of European studio The Orangery (Variety, Jan 16, 2026).

Why this matters in 2026

Agency signings are increasingly strategic: talent agencies and packaging agencies now expect a single source of truth — an EPK (electronic press kit) that combines creative assets, legal clarity, market performance, and a transmedia roadmap. Since late 2025, agencies accelerated deals for studios with clear global-rights strategies and demonstrable IP ecosystems. The Orangery’s WME deal is emblematic: strong IP, cross-format vision, and an agency-ready presentation led to representation within months of launch.

Key 2026 trends to build into your kit

Rights-first packaging — buyers want granular clarity on theatrical, TV, streaming, gaming, merchandising, and translation rights.
Data-backed traction — pre-sales, readership metrics, social engagement, and edition runs matter more than ever.
Interactive pressrooms — Discord channels, authenticated asset portals, and real-time tracking dashboards improve buyer confidence.
Verified announcements — agencies prefer press kits with signed authoritativeness (digital signatures, notarized chain-of-title summaries).
AI-enabled personalization — use dynamic kit versions that feed agency-specific executive summaries and comps. For how AI is changing agent workflows and summarization, see How AI Summarization is Changing Agent Workflows.

One-sentence strategy

Build a layered press kit: clear one-pager + deep IP bible + ready-to-share assets + legal & rights module + pitch-ready one-click delivery. Deliver both a compact PDF and an authenticated online pressroom with analytics.

Step-by-step press kit template (Checklist & File Structure)

Below is a modular template that agencies can skim or deep-dive into. Build the kit in a cloud folder with a public pressroom and a gated legal folder for NDA access.

Top-level folder and file naming

Folder root: [StudioName]_PressKit_YYYYMMDD (use ISO date)
Subfolders: 01_OnePager, 02_IP_Bible, 03_Assets, 04_Marketing_Traffic, 05_Legal_Rights, 06_Press_Releases, 07_Pitches
File naming: StudioName_AssetType_Version_Date (e.g., Orangery_IPBible_v1_20260120.pdf)

Format: single-page PDF + HTML summary in pressroom. Target length: 200–350 words.

Top line: Studio description + flagship titles (one sentence).
Why it matters: Unique hook + audience data (readers, sales, streaming interest).
Rights available: Clear list (global, exclusive/non-exclusive, limited windows).
What you want: Agency representation, global pitch partners, distribution deals.
Contact: Studio lead + business affairs + external counsel.

Core component: IP Bible (Deep Dive)

Format: PDF (print-friendly) + linked folder of high-res art and scripts. This is the single most important asset for agencies.

Overview: Universe summary, tone, genre, running themes.
Flagship titles: 1–3 page synopses per title, sample arcs, taglines.
Characters: One-page dossiers with visuals, motivations, and potential actor comps.
Transmedia hooks: How the IP scales (miniseries, episodic TV, animation, games, podcasts, AR/experiences). For practical advice on turning IP into interactive web-native experiences, see Advanced Strategies for Launching a Micro-brand Browser Game.
Comparables & comps: 2–3 current titles/shows/movies and why your IP maps to them.
Roadmap: Development timeline, priority formats, and target markets for rights exploitation.

Visual assets and technical specs (Assets folder)

Format & recommended specs:

Brand logo: SVG + 300ppi PNG (transparent)
Key art: 3000 × 4500px (300 dpi) for print; 2048 × 2732px for web; include CMYK and RGB versions where appropriate
Character sheets: 300 dpi TIFF or PNG
Page samples: high-res PDFs (with crop marks) + low-res JPEG previews
Trailers / sizzle reels: 1080p H.264 MP4 (120–180 seconds) with captions; provide 30-sec cutdown for pitches
Fonts & style guide: list of licensed fonts and link to license files

Marketing, traction & audience data

Buyers want proof of interest. Give them metrics and context — not raw numbers alone.

Sales & distribution: Print run numbers, editions (hardcover/TPB), ISBNs, and sales channels (bookstores, digital, direct-to-consumer).
Digital readership: Pageviews, unique readers, completion rates, and subscription data (with timeframes).
Engagement: Social follower growth, newsletter sign-ups, Discord/Telegram community stats, engagement rates. (See how Telegram and community channels powered micro-events in 2026: Telegram as a backbone for micro-events.)
Press & awards: Notable coverage, festival selections, and awards (with links to clippings).
Comparative KPIs: Benchmarks vs. similar IPs (e.g., launches that led to TV adaptation within 18 months).

Legal & rights module (gated)

This is where deals live or die. Be comprehensive and consult counsel before sharing.

Chain of title: Signed agreements showing ownership of story, artwork, and trademarks. For legal tooling and audits that reduce hidden costs, see How to Audit Your Legal Tech Stack.
Option & license status: Any existing options, prior agreements, or reversion clauses.
Rights matrix: A spreadsheet listing rights (theatrical, TV, SVOD, AVOD, radio, podcast, interactive, gaming, merchandising, translation) by territory and current availability.
Sample term sheet: A neutral starter that indicates what the studio is seeking (non-binding).
Clearances: Photo/stock rights, music cues, talent releases, and third-party IP notes.

Press releases & timeline

Include a press release history and planned announcement timeline. Agencies value staged rollout plans for global rights and markets.

Recent press release (PDF + .docx template)
Planned milestones & embargo calendar (for coordinated global announcements)
Boilerplate: 2–3 sentence, 1-paragraph, and full-length versions

Pitch materials & sample decks

Create 2–3 deck templates optimized for different buyers:

Agency intro deck (4–6 slides): One-pager plus 4 slides: traction, creative, rights, ask.
Buyer deck (10–14 slides): Deeper IP bible highlights, comps, market strategy, projected budgets, and packaging notes.
Producer-friendly deck: Development schedule, key creative attachments, and budget ranges.

Distribution & outreach strategy (Agency & Global Buyers)

Design outreach paths specific to desks: film/TV, publishing, licensing, and gaming. In 2026, personalize with minimal friction and measurable tracking.

Channels to use

Dedicated pressroom: A verified webpage (HTTPS) with analytics and one-click download links; include gated legal folder with NDA workflow.
Secure asset portal: Use Box, Dropbox Business, or a rights catalog platform with expiring links and watermarking. For integration and CRM hygiene when you connect portals and tracking, see Integration Blueprint: Connecting Micro Apps with Your CRM.
Direct email outreach: Short pitch + one-pager + one-click link to pressroom. Personalize first line and include an optional non-confidential sample. For designing subject lines and copy that survive AI-read inboxes, see Design Email Copy for AI-read Inboxes.
Trade & trade PR: Coordinate with Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Publishers Weekly, and comics trades for staged announcements.
Rights markets & festivals: Prepare compact kits for events like EFM, Berlinale, MIPCOM, Comic-Con industry events, and book fairs. Micro-event playbooks are useful when tailoring compact kits for market booths.
Social proof channels: Post verified announcements via studio accounts and pinned Discord announcements; use pressroom links with UTM tags for tracking.

Personalization & follow-up

Send a tailored subject line referencing a recent agency credit or relevant slate.
Use UTM-tagged links and a CRM (Affinity, HubSpot) to track opens and asset downloads — see the integration blueprint for hygiene best practices.
Follow up with a one-minute pitch video and a 3-slide highlights PDF for quick reads.

Design, accessibility & technical best practices

Dual delivery: Provide a compact PDF for quick review and a rich HTML pressroom for deeper dives.
Accessibility: Alt tags for images, transcript for audio/video, and readable fonts for PDFs.
Color profiles: RGB for web previews, CMYK for print-ready art.
Size limits: Keep initial email downloads under 10 MB; host larger files in the portal with 1-click view/download.
Version control: Maintain a changelog file and version numbers in file names.

Legal & negotiation prep (what agencies will ask)

Expect rapid questions around availability and exclusivity. Be ready to answer:

Who owns the copyrights to script and art? (Show chain of title)
Are any territories pre-licensed? (List with dates and terms)
What prior commitments exist for adaptations? (Options or development deals)
What is the studio’s target monetization strategy? (Upfront fees, revenue share, minimum guarantees, merchandising splits)

Case study: What The Orangery likely included (and why it worked)

Variety reported that The Orangery — founder Davide G.G. Caci’s Turin-based transmedia studio behind titles like Traveling to Mars and Sweet Paprika — signed with WME (Jan 16, 2026). Based on industry norms and the speed of that deal, their kit probably had these features:

Clear rights statement: International rights strategy and open windows for streaming and audiovisual adaptations.
High-production art & sizzle: Cinematic key art and a short sizzle reel demonstrating tone and cinematic potential.
Transmedia plan: Explicit mapping from comic arcs to episodic TV and character-first IP for merchandising.
Market traction: European sales data, festival buzz, and translated editions showing cross-border interest.
Packaging readiness: Attachable producers and a development roadmap that lowered agency risk.

"Agencies buy clarity and minimized execution risk. The Orangery’s rapid WME signing shows that studios who present rights-ready, transmedia packs win faster."

Advanced strategies for 2026 and beyond

Dynamic kits: Use a CMS to deliver agency-specific summaries and comps on demand, updated with live analytics.
Authenticated pressrooms: Use digital signatures or notarized chain-of-title snapshots to prove claims. For legal tooling that supports verification, see legal tech audits.
API-driven asset delivery: Expose cover art and metrics via authenticated endpoints so buyers can ingest data into their slates — integration best practices are covered in the Integration Blueprint.
Interactive sizzle: Augmented previews (AR character pops) for festival booths to showcase IP in experiential formats; related interactive launch strategies are discussed in the micro-brand browser game playbook.
AI personalization: Use LLM-assisted executive summaries that tailor the opening paragraph to the recipient (e.g., referencing their recent projects). For LLM and guided AI tooling for marketers, see What Marketers Need to Know About Guided AI Learning Tools.

Timeline: How long it takes and when to start

Start 8–12 weeks before planned outreach or market appearances. Typical schedule:

Weeks 1–2: Consolidate ownership docs, chain-of-title, and one-pager
Weeks 3–5: Produce art, sizzle, and IP bible
Weeks 6–7: Build pressroom, set up secure portal, craft pitch decks
Week 8: Internal review, legal vetting, and agency-targeted mock outreach

Templates & quick copy snippets

Email subject lines

[StudioName] — Global-ready IP: TV + Streaming + Merch Opportunities
Quick look: [Flagship Title] — Transmedia-ready graphic novel with X readers

One-paragraph pitch (for emails)

[StudioName] is a transmedia IP studio behind [Flagship Title(s)] — a [genre] graphic-novel series with [metric: X readers / Y sales] and measurable audience growth across EU/US. We’re seeking agency representation to package global audiovisual, merchandising, and gaming rights. One-pager & sizzle: [pressroom link].

Short press release headline formula

"[StudioName] Announces [Milestone] for [Flagship Title] — [One-line hook: e.g., 'Pre-sales hit X across Y markets']"

Actionable takeaways (what to do this week)

Create your one-pager and save it as PDF + web summary.
Compile a rights matrix and get counsel to confirm chain of title.
Produce a 60–90 second sizzle reel using existing assets; keep it camera-ready.
Set up a secure pressroom and track downloads with UTM tags and a CRM. For integration and CRM tracking hygiene, see the Integration Blueprint.
Prepare 2 short pitch decks: agency intro and buyer deck.

Final notes on trust and verification

In 2026, agencies will screen for authenticity as rigorously as they screen for creativity. Include verifiable links to sales reports, festival stamps, ISBNs, and a signed chain-of-title summary. If you can show an auditable pathway — from creator contracts to licensed editions — you reduce due-diligence friction and accelerate representation conversations.

Call to action

Ready to build an agency-ready press kit? Download the free transmedia press kit template, email outreach scripts, and a pre-built pressroom checklist at officially.top/templates (includes a sample inspired by The Orangery’s approach). Need hands-on help? Book a template review call to get tailored feedback for your studio’s global-rights strategy and pitch materials.

Unknown

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.