A San Diego Book Publisher Seeks to Raise Visibility with First Comic-Con Booth

It’s been around for more than 30 years, but a longtime San Diego book publisher is working to increase its presence in the community and that effort took it to Comic-Con this week.

Printer’s Row Publishing Group was established in 1982 and has 100 employees operating out of a Sorrento Valley office, with a corporate office in Illinois. 

The company started as a publisher of reference and coffee table books.

But that has changed over time. It has published more than 800 books for all ages under various imprints. Titles include material for children and adults, classic literature, activity books like crocheting and stickers and licensed products with popular properties, including the “Stranger Things,” “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars.”

It also publishes leather-bound classics, coloring books, bathroom readers, music player story books and infographic books. And it even offers a Taylor Swift book — “Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs.”

“We do everything,” said Vice President and Publisher Peter Norton. “Sticker books is a big trend.”

At Comic-Con this week, it was in a booth on the crowded main exhibit floor, displaying many of its new and older titles. Despite its decades of existence, last year was the first time it appeared at Comic-Con. This year, it partnered with local bookstore Mysterious Galaxy to share some space.

“That’s what we’re trying to do here, tell people we’re here,” said Norton.

The company is also trying to connect more with the community. It supports employees volunteering for Feeding San Diego and arranges staff outings to San Diego Padres games.

“Just continue growing our presence locally and seeing how we can continue with our local outreach,” Norton said.

Its books are available at major retailers. For more information, visit printersrowpublishinggroup.com.