Set Your Brand Apart with Imaginative Business Printing Solutions
At Ex Why Zed, we believe that Business Printing should transcend the ordinary and create meaningful, tangible connections between brands and their audiences. In a world dominated by digital screens, expertly printed materials can instantly captivate the senses, establish credibility, and reflect the true essence of a company’s vision. Whether you are a fashion label looking to transform your seasonal collection into a stunning lookbook, an arts organisation producing a commemorative catalogue, or an entrepreneur aiming to add polish to your annual report, the right print choices can significantly enhance your brand’s impact. From careful stock selection and considered formats to vibrant colour reproduction and durable binding, every element matters when bringing your story to life on paper.
To help you make informed print choices when you self publish a book, we have analysed and dissected a series of recent book printing projects. Each case study highlights not only the production techniques and materials that have proven successful but also how thoughtful design decisions can influence a publication’s reception. By examining these diverse projects—ranging from high-end fashion lookbooks and community programme booklets to boundary-pushing zines—we aim to demonstrate the remarkable possibilities of well-executed Business Printing. With these insights, you can move forward with confidence, knowing exactly how to craft printed pieces that resonate with readers and stand the test of time.
An interesting takeaway is that the vast majority of the books we print for businesses and brands are perfect bound. This allows you more pages and creates a professional looking bound book.
Sabina Savage Collection Lookbooks
Read the full lookbook printing case study >
Sabina Savage’s intricate scarf designs are world-renowned, and her A5 collection lookbooks required a printed format that would mirror the elegance and detail of her work. We chose 300gsm uncoated cover stock with matt lamination for a delicate yet durable finish. Inside, the 46pp text pages printed on 170gsm uncoated paper allowed the nuanced illustrations and sumptuous patterns to speak for themselves. This approach ensured that the textures, hues, and line work of each scarf were faithfully reproduced, enabling readers to experience the evolution of designs from rough sketches to richly detailed artworks.
These neat, perfect-bound books guide readers on a narrative journey through Sabina’s imaginative themes. Each collection tells a story—of fortune, prophecy, or festive revelry—unfolding page by page with carefully composed still-life photography and draft illustrations in progress. The combination of high-quality printing and sympathetic design transforms the lookbooks into collectible pieces that align perfectly with Sabina Savage’s luxury brand identity, inspiring customers not just to buy a scarf, but to engage with the artistry and storytelling behind it.
A Slick Summer to Remember by Slick Gorilla
Read the business brand printing case study >
Slick Gorilla’s “A Slick Summer to Remember” is a lifestyle lookbook that immerses readers in a breezy, beachside narrative of fashion, grooming, and relaxation. Printed as a wire-stitched A4 zine on uncoated stock, the piece leverages warm colour palettes, tactile textures, and film-like photography to evoke the languid pace of summer holidays. The subtle integration of branding and product placement within aspirational images allows readers to envision themselves enjoying their own carefree escapes, while maintaining a modern, style-conscious edge that resonates with younger audiences.
Carefully chosen typography and generous white space ensure that the visuals command attention, while the four-colour print process preserves the subtle gradients and depth of each image. The result is more than a mere promotional piece—it is an immersive sensory journey that aligns perfectly with Slick Gorilla’s ethos. This approach shows how Business Printing can shape perceptions, inviting readers to connect emotionally with a brand’s story and ultimately leading to stronger, more meaningful relationships with the audience.
Forward Thinking Hair Colour by Slick Gorilla
In “Forward Thinking Hair Colour,” Slick Gorilla challenged conventions by blending bold aesthetics, vegan values, and innovative hairstyling concepts into an A5 zine that feels both contemporary and ethically conscious. Uncoated stock forms the perfect canvas for vibrant, four-colour printed imagery, ensuring the dynamic, saturated tones pop off the page. This material choice not only enhances the tactile allure but also underscores the brand’s sustainable, cruelty-free credentials—qualities that today’s discerning consumers increasingly demand.
Inside, editorial-style photography sits alongside bold typography, weaving a narrative that champions individuality and expressive self-care. The seamless harmony of design elements—from colour contrast and strategic font selection to full-bleed photography—creates a confident and energetic aesthetic. This publication reminds us that considered Business Printing can galvanise a brand’s message, translating abstract concepts like “innovation” and “ethical production” into a tangible, shareable, and memorable form.
Our Tiny Bees Product Lookbooks
Read the product lookbook printing case study >
For Our Tiny Bees, a brand rooted in nature and sustainability, we created A6 self-cover booklets on 120gsm uncoated paper that reflect the simplicity and purity of their products. Uncoated stock was selected to maintain a rustic, organic feel that resonates with their 100% British honey and beeswax skincare range. By trimming, collating, and wire-stitching the booklets, we ensured they would be easy to handle and distribute, making them ideal as product guides at markets, fairs, or in-store promotions.
The four-colour printing throughout brings out subtle hues and delicate textures in the photography, perfectly complementing the brand’s ethos. By crafting lookbooks that allow the natural beauty of Our Tiny Bees’ ingredients and packaging to shine, we’ve shown that effective Business Printing isn’t always about lavish embellishments—sometimes it’s about letting authenticity and craftsmanship speak for themselves. The result is a piece that feels honest, tactile, and worthy of prolonged engagement.
Programme Booklet Printing for The Place
Read our local community printing full case study >
The “What’s Happening at The Place” booklet embodies the spirit of community interaction at a vibrant Welsh arts hub. Produced at 250x170mm, wire-stitched, and printed on uncoated stock, it fosters accessibility and inclusivity through an inviting design. Bright speech bubbles, bilingual text, and modern typography encourage engagement, while a consistent colour scheme and carefully structured layouts ensure that event listings are easy to navigate and enjoy.
This Business Printing project demonstrates how design choices can reflect and reinforce a venue’s identity. By combining white space with dynamic visuals, the publication resonates with readers, making them feel welcomed and informed. The result is not simply an events guide—it’s a tool for building connections, celebrating cultural diversity, and inspiring the community to come together for shared experiences.
Stella McCartney Sport x Adidas Lookbooks
Read our enlightening Fashion Lookbook case study >
For the Stella McCartney Sport x Adidas lookbooks, we crafted A4, 40pp self-cover publications on evolution uncoated stock to reflect the collaborative brand’s commitment to sustainability and style. By using recycled, environmentally conscious materials, we ensured these lookbooks mirrored the values of a forward-thinking fashion audience. The uncoated texture offers a natural, matte finish that complements the dynamic athletic imagery and conveys an air of conscious luxury.
Inside, vivid photography captures the energy of the designs, from functional leggings to statement accessories. Bold yet refined typography guides readers through product information without detracting from the visual storytelling. This project is proof that Business Printing can elegantly merge form, function, and responsibility, reinforcing a brand’s image while ensuring the finished piece contributes positively to the narrative of eco-friendly production.
When is Enough by Raoul Orazabal
Read our Art Gallery Catalogue Book case study >
Raoul Orazabal’s A4 landscape case-bound art book “When is Enough” demanded meticulous attention to detail from start to finish. We combined a matt-laminated silk cover with uncoated endpapers and 170gsm silk inner pages, striking a balance between tactile variety and premium presentation. The careful binding, exact spine calculation, and precise colour reproduction ensured each painting’s layered complexity and depth came through on the printed page.
This project demonstrates how Business Printing can heighten an artistic narrative. Orazabal’s surreal, fractured cityscapes and environmental themes benefit from thoughtful layouts that highlight both macro compositions and intricate brushwork. The result is a gallery-quality book that celebrates the artist’s vision, inviting viewers to linger, reflect, and appreciate his oeuvre in a format that stands the test of time.
Action Sport Photography Book - A Year in Review at Factory Media
Get inspired with book printing to promote your brand in our full case study >
Capturing the energy of action sports in print requires a careful interplay of format, paper choice, and colour fidelity. For Factory Media’s 250x250mm perfect-bound annual, we used uncoated stock to let vivid four-colour images pop naturally, preserving the intensity of boarders in silhouette against bright skies, BMXers mid-trick, and skateboarders defying gravity. The result is a tactile, immersive publication that mirrors the rush of the sports themselves.
This piece highlights how considered Business Printing decisions can ensure images of fast-paced action retain their dynamism. By prioritising crisp reproduction and balanced layouts, we transformed these annuals into coveted keepsakes—perfect for building anticipation, celebrating achievements, and inspiring readers to become part of the action. Every page turn fuels excitement, ensuring the brand’s connection with its audience remains strong and vibrant.
Shelter at 50 Books
Commemorating Shelter’s 50th anniversary called for a publication that would honour the organisation’s legacy while maintaining a respectful tone. We produced a slightly smaller than A4, perfect-bound book entirely on uncoated stock for an archival feel, allowing historical photographs and documentary images to stand out with honest clarity. The understated choice of materials, combined with a dignified design, emphasises the gravity and importance of Shelter’s work over half a century.
By running a hard copy proof and involving multiple stakeholders before the final print run, we ensured that everyone’s expectations were met. This careful approach to Business Printing resulted in a collection of pages that not only serve as a documentary record but also encapsulate the values and impact of an organisation dedicated to improving lives. In doing so, this commemorative book becomes a cherished artefact, reflecting both past achievements and future ambitions.
Castrads Lookbooks and Product Cards
Enjoy the case study of these Lookbooks and Product Card printing >
Castrads’ premium cast iron radiators merit a printed presentation that aligns with their timeless, industrial-chic appeal. For these 150x150mm lookbooks and product cards, we used uncoated stocks to introduce a pleasant, tactile quality that resonates with the brand’s heritage aesthetic. The neat, compact square format and matt-laminated covers give the publications durability and presence—ideal for in-store displays or on-site consultations with discerning customers.
Inside, the minimalist design focuses on showcasing the radiators’ shape, finish, and customisation options without clutter. By balancing white space with carefully selected typography and four-colour images, we allowed the products’ elegance to speak for itself. This approach to Business Printing emphasises that sometimes, less is indeed more. A refined, tactile publication encourages readers to appreciate craftsmanship and consider the infinite possibilities of a product designed to last for generations.
Vevo dscvr Ones to Watch Magazines
Learn more in our Music Book printing case study >
Vevo’s first-ever print magazine was a true international endeavour, celebrating 20 emerging artists to watch in a unique 254x203mm perfect-bound format. Printed on uncoated stock, the publication carried a tactile richness that balanced cutting-edge music culture with the warmth of a physical artefact. Handling multiple cover variations and coordinating with teams in London and New York demanded precision and adaptability—a challenge we embraced wholeheartedly.
Through careful communication, preflighting, and logistical management, we ensured the magazine arrived on both sides of the Atlantic, capturing the vibrancy of the featured artists with crisp, four-colour reproduction. This project exemplifies how expert Business Printing can serve as a global ambassador, bridging digital trends with print tradition, and connecting audiences to new voices in music through a uniquely tangible medium.
R U on TikTok by Ok Cool
Read the Photography Book for Business case study
The “R U on TikTok” zine by Ok Cool embraced innovation and experimentation in print. Featuring multiple paper stocks, translucent pages, Pantone spot colours, and a bespoke size of 230x195mm, this project broke the mould of traditional book design. Such complexity required careful coordination to ensure every element—from vivid neon inks to see-through overlays—contributed to a cohesive, visually stimulating narrative.
This zine demonstrates the power of unconventional Business Printing. By blending digital culture references with physical mediums, Ok Cool effectively translated the intangible energy of social media into a handheld conversation piece. The result is a provocative exploration of how the virtual can be made tactile, ultimately reminding readers that even in a hyper-connected age, the charm of print remains alive and well.
A5 Fashion Book Printing for Jewels of Soho by Footpatrol
Read this Fashion Lookbook Printing case study >
Footpatrol’s “Jewels of Soho” merges street culture with refined design, encapsulated in an A5 perfect-bound book printed on silk stock with a matt-laminated cover. By integrating bold typography, crisp photography, and restrained colour accents, we echoed the edgy authenticity of London’s Soho neighbourhood. The final piece possesses a sense of modernity and grit that mirrors the city streets, while still offering a premium, collectible finish that stands out in any environment.
This project underlines how Business Printing can help a brand articulate its identity in tangible form. Every design choice—from paper weight to lamination—reflects the brand’s ethos, allowing readers to immerse themselves in Footpatrol’s narrative. In doing so, “Jewels of Soho” becomes more than a promotional tool; it becomes a creative artefact that deepens the brand’s connection with its audience and inspires ongoing dialogue around fashion, culture, and place.
Partner with Ex Why Zed for Your Next Business Printing Project
As these expanded case studies show, printing is far more than putting ink on paper. It’s about combining the right materials, formats, colours, and finishes to create an object that resonates, informs, and inspires. Our projects—from compact lookbooks and commemorative publications to cutting-edge zines and high-end product brochures—demonstrate Ex Why Zed’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and personalisation.
When you’re ready to self publish a book or produce a printed piece that truly stands out, Contact Ex Why Zed. Our team will provide expert advice, guide you through material selections, and work closely with you to ensure your project exceeds expectations. Business Printing is about more than practicality—it’s about creating something memorable, meaningful, and worthy of being held in someone’s hands. Let us help you tell your story through print.
