A5 Landscape Case Bound Books
Cover onto 170gsm Silk
Wrapped over greyboard case
Gloss laminated to the outer
2x 4pp End Papers Printed onto 170gsm Uncoated
376 inside pages onto 170gsm Silk (33mm spine)
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and case bound
"The balance of the book, with text and pictures, I think works very well. Love the printing and the paper quality, etc."
John Geekie’s Plein Air Painting: Beverley and the Low Wolds is an exquisite blend of memoir, instructional guide, and art book. This case study examines the book’s design, aesthetic choices, and production values, highlighting the unique collaboration between Geekie and Ex Why Zed to bring his vision to life.
From first glance, Plein Air Painting exudes a refined yet inviting charm. Encased in a case-bound hardback with a gloss laminated cover, the book immediately communicates durability and quality. The A5 landscape format allows the paintings to breathe, offering a more immersive viewing experience without overwhelming the reader.
The cover’s pale yellow background is an unconventional yet inspired choice, evoking a soft, natural light reminiscent of early morning plein air painting sessions. The bold, black title typography ensures immediate readability and contrast, while the inclusion of a small landscape painting on the cover subtly introduces the book’s artistic core.
A defining feature of this project is its case binding, ensuring longevity and a premium tactile experience. The 170gsm silk stock for the pages strikes an ideal balance between luxurious texture and colour vibrancy, allowing Geekie’s paintings to appear rich and lifelike. The four-colour printing throughout maintains the depth and nuance of his artwork, ensuring that every brushstroke is captured with precision.
Inside, the book follows a well-structured yet fluid layout that enhances readability while maintaining an aesthetic elegance. Geekie’s narrative and instructional text are presented in a clear, serif typeface, reinforcing the book’s dual role as a guide and memoir. The paintings are strategically placed, often taking up full pages or large sections to allow for an immersive experience.
Headers, such as St. Mary’s Church and Beverley Minster and Summered Verge at Holme Wold House, are prominently formatted in a deep burgundy, distinguishing them from body text while adding a refined, almost classical, touch.
The inclusion of process shots and step-by-step breakdowns makes this more than just a coffee-table book—it is an interactive learning tool. Geekie’s thoughtful captions and reflections help the reader understand not just the technical aspects of painting, but also the emotions and memories behind each piece.
The interior paper choice (170gsm silk) enhances the contrast between text and imagery, ensuring that every detail is crisp, from delicate colour gradients in the paintings to the precise kerning of the typography.
The 170gsm silk pages allow for detailed, colour-rich reproductions of artwork. Artists and designers should consider paper weight and finish carefully to match their work’s aesthetic and functional needs.
Using classic serif fonts for the body text reinforces a timeless feel, while bold sans-serif headings add a contemporary contrast. This balance ensures a book remains accessible and elegant.
Geekie’s book employs a dynamic interplay of text and imagery, maintaining a fluid narrative. Avoid overwhelming pages with too much text—break up content with strategic white space.
The coloured page edges create an intuitive sectioning system. This method can be particularly useful for instructional books, portfolios, or multi-sectioned memoirs.
A case-bound book instantly feels more premium. If creating a high-end art book, investing in case binding over perfect binding ensures a longer shelf life and better reader experience.
The pale yellow cover with a single small painting encapsulates the book’s theme: artistic simplicity and natural exploration. When designing a cover, ask: Does this reflect the core experience inside the book?
Plein Air Painting: Beverley and the Low Wolds is an exemplary case of thoughtful design meeting high-quality print execution. Every aspect, from material selection to typography and layout, enhances the immersive experience of Geekie’s plein air journey. Through expert craftsmanship and attention to detail, Ex Why Zed has helped transform a deeply personal project into a timeless, collectable edition.
John Geekie’s Plein Air Painting was more than just a book—it was a labour of love, a culmination of years of artistic exploration, and a personal memoir of his time painting in the Yorkshire countryside. From the initial enquiry to the final delivery, Ex Why Zed worked closely with John to navigate the challenges of fine art book printing, ensuring the final product met his vision of a high-quality, collectable first edition.
John first reached out in November 2024, eager to turn his digital collection into a printed work. Initially considering both hardback and softback options, he needed guidance on paper thickness, binding styles, and cover design. His early email reflected both excitement and a degree of uncertainty, asking:
"Thinking of hardback, will need your expertise regarding paper thickness, and will need a template for the cover and endpapers."
At Ex Why Zed, we understand that first-time publishers and artists often need structured advice when navigating print decisions. Our response included detailed pricing options for both case-bound and perfect-bound formats, ensuring he had the flexibility to weigh cost against quality.
John’s vision for the book evolved over the course of multiple exchanges. Initially set at 354 pages, he later realised his introductory pages were excluded from the count, bringing the total to 376 pages. This shift required a new spine width calculation, an updated cover template, and a revised cost breakdown.
Despite initially leaning towards a softcover edition, John ultimately opted for a case-bound hardback, a decision that elevated the book’s status from a simple art publication to a premium collector’s item.
We provided him with:
As John finalised his layouts, he needed technical support for bleed settings and image resolution adjustments. We provided:
Our conversation wasn’t just about fixing issues—it was about empowering John with practical printing knowledge he could apply to future projects.
Once the files were refined, we generated a digital proof for review. Our final email before production included:
John carefully reviewed the proof and gave the green light. With everything in place, the book was pushed into full-scale production.
John’s response was overwhelmingly positive. His words captured the perfect harmony between text, imagery, and print execution:
"The balance of the book, with text and pictures, I think works very well. Love the printing and the paper quality, etc."
Beyond his personal appreciation, John plans to continue his collaboration with us, already envisioning part two of his Plein Air series. The success of this book has strengthened his confidence in Ex Why Zed as his go-to print partner.
This project exemplifies the importance of expert print guidance, from material selection to artwork refinement and troubleshooting delivery challenges. Plein Air Painting stands as a masterclass in premium art book production, blending John Geekie’s artistic storytelling with Ex Why Zed’s commitment to print perfection.
As John’s future volumes come to life, we are proud to have played a role in turning his plein air journey into a beautifully printed reality.
