As the cost of importing supplies, books, and merch continues to rise due to increasing global tariffs, independent creators everywhere are feeling the pressure. Whether you’re publishing monthly like we do at ONSOL-GO!, or launching your own merch lines and prints, the truth is — tariffs can hit your grind hard.

But don’t panic. Independent doesn’t mean unprepared.

Here are 5 real-world strategies indie manga and ManaA creators can use to ride the wave and turn pressure into progress.

Ever flip through your favorite manga and wonder, "Why do manga artists rely so heavily on those dotted patterns instead of smooth, solid grays?" Today, we're diving into why screentones are the go-to choice for professional manga creators—and how indie artists differ from their published Japanese counterparts in this aspect.