Skip to main content

Buyer Experience

Understanding how readers access and enjoy your comics helps you better serve your audience. Here's what happens after someone purchases your work.

Purchase Flow​

When a reader buys your comic:

  1. Immediate access: The comic is added to their library instantly, where they can read or download the file(s)
  2. Web reader: They can start reading immediately in their browser
  3. App sync: If they use the Panels app with the same account, the comic appears there automatically
  4. Permanent access: They own the comic and can read it anytime

Reading on Web​

The web reader provides a straightforward reading experience:

Features:

  • Page-by-page navigation
  • Zoom and pan
  • Fullscreen mode
  • Multiple reading directions (left-to-right, right-to-left, top-to-bottom)

Current limitations:

  • No reading progress tracking (progress is not saved between sessions)
  • No offline reading
Progress Tracking

Reading progress is not currently stored on the web reader. Readers need to remember where they left off, or use the Panels app for progress tracking across devices.

Reading on Panels App​

The Panels app offers a much more powerful reading experience and is the recommended way to read comics purchased on Panels Store.

Available Platforms​

The Panels Comic Reader app is available for:

  • iOS (iPhone and iPad)
  • iPad (optimized experience)
  • Mac (desktop experience)

Download from the App Store for your device.

How Comics Sync to the App​

When a reader purchases a comic on Panels Store:

  1. Automatic library creation: If they log into the Panels app with the same email address they used for their purchase, a new "Panels Store" library automatically appears
  2. All purchases visible: Every comic they've bought on Panels Store shows up in this library
  3. Instant sync: New purchases appear immediately without manual syncing
Same Email Required

The email used for the Panels Store purchase must match the email used to log into the Panels app. This is how the system links purchases to the reader's app library.

Reading Options in the App​

Readers have two ways to access comics in the Panels app:

Streaming:

  • Tap a comic to start reading immediately
  • Pages load as needed
  • Requires internet connection
  • No storage space used on device

Download for Offline:

  • Download the full comic to their device
  • Read without internet connection
  • Takes up device storage
  • Faster page turns (no loading)

Progress Tracking​

The Panels app provides full reading progress features:

Synced across devices:

  • Start reading on iPhone, continue on iPad, finish on Mac
  • Progress automatically syncs to their Panels account
  • Bookmarks and current page are preserved

Multiple Format Support​

If you've uploaded your comic in multiple formats (CBZ, PDF, EPUB, etc.), readers can choose their preferred format for download.

Common Reader Questions​

As a creator, you may receive questions from readers. Here are common ones:

"Where is my comic after purchase?"

  • On web: Check their Panels Store library
  • On app: Log in with the same email and check the "Panels Store" library

"Why isn't my comic showing in the app?"

  • Verify they're using the same email address for both Panels Store and the Panels app
  • Make sure they've logged into the app (not just downloaded it)
  • Check that they're looking in the "Panels Store" library, not their other libraries

"Can I read offline?"

  • Web: No, web reader requires internet connection
  • App: Yes, if they download the comic first

"Why did I lose my place in the story?"

  • Web reader doesn't save progress yet
  • App saves progress automatically

"Can I re-download if I delete it?"

  • Yes, purchased comics remain in their library forever
  • They can download again anytime from the Panels Store library

Reader Privacy​

Panels Store respects reader privacy:

  • You cannot see who purchased your comics
  • You cannot access reader information
  • Sales data shows totals, not individual buyer details

This protects reader privacy while still allowing you to track your sales performance.