210x210mm Books
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Uncoated FSC Certified
Matt Lamination to outer
44pp Inside pages onto 130gsm Silk FSC Certified
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
Square formats are quietly brilliant for mixed orientation work
And the Hills Bore Scars is a modern artist catalogue that understands pacing: a calm text-led opening, then straight into the work. Our favourite detail is the restraint — that quiet, solid-tone cover sets a gallery-like tone, and the first uncoated page feels crisp and intentional against it.
With 210×210mm pages, the layout happily holds both portrait and landscape pieces without compromise, while our HP Indigo print keeps the colour energy in the paintings sharp and lively.
If you’re planning something similar, start with our artist catalogue printing service and explore the wider print journey for a clear step-by-step.
About the Catalogue
This catalogue was created as a professional, cost-effective companion piece for an art show — the sort of booklet that feels credible on a gallery table, but still approachable enough for visitors to take home.
The edit begins with a short introduction, then hands over to the artwork. That sequencing works brilliantly for contemporary landscape painting: you get the context, then you’re free to look. (Exactly how a good exhibition feels in real life.)
Print Specification & Materials
A clean square format, a durable cover, and image-friendly inner pages:
- Trim size: 210 × 210mm
- Cover: 4pp, 300gsm uncoated FSC, matt laminated outer
- Text pages: 44pp, 130gsm silk FSC
- Print: four colour throughout
- Binding: trimmed, collated, perfect bound (3mm spine)
That combination is a sweet spot for art catalogues: the uncoated cover keeps the outside understated and tactile, while the silk inner pages help full-colour artwork reproduce with clarity and punch.
Want to sanity-check your files before you send them? Our perfect binding set-up guide is the quickest way to avoid last-minute tweaks.
Design Details (what stands out on the page)
- The cover choice is confident. A single muted green-grey field with simple type feels “exhibition-ready” — and the matt lamination keeps it protected through handling.
- Strong use of white space. Inside, the typography sits with plenty of breathing room, making the catalogue feel calm even when the paintings get dramatic.
- Colour reproduction that holds detail. The energetic marks and layered tones in the artwork come through crisply — exactly what you want when your pages are doing the job of a wall label and a gallery spotlight.
The Client’s Print Journey
The project moved in a straightforward, well-managed rhythm:
- We shared an initial quote, then stayed in touch while the design was being finished.
- When the pagination updated (to 4+44pp) and the quantity landed, we confirmed price and booked production.
- A final online proof went out for approval before anything hit the print queue.
- We confirmed delivery expectations up front and kept communication clear as the job left our HQ.
If you’re pricing up your own catalogue, our Printed Project Builder is a good starting point for choosing sizes, page counts and quantities. We'll come back with an initial quote asap to help move your project forward.
How Ex Why Zed Helped
For artist catalogues, the real value is in removing friction:
- Guidance and proofing: a clean proof stage, with clear notes on what to check before approving.
- Reliable colour + consistency: HP Indigo accuracy to keep complex artwork feeling true-to-file (especially important on silk stocks).
- A format that’s easy to repeat: this spec is a dependable template for future shows — professional finish, sensible cost, strong shelf presence.
For more examples in this lane, browse our portfolio for other exhibition catalogues and art books.
Takeaways for Your Next Art Catalogue
- Square formats are quietly brilliant for mixed orientation work. 210×210mm gives equal respect to portrait and landscape pieces — and it feels contemporary in-hand.
- Pair an understated cover with lively inner pages. Uncoated + matt lamination outside, silk inside is a smart “gallery calm / artwork wow” split.
- Sequence matters as much as paper. A short intro, then artwork, keeps readers moving and makes the book feel like a mini exhibition walkthrough.
- Don’t skip the proof stage. Approve once you’ve checked trims, pagination, and image placement — it’s the easiest way to protect your budget and your deadline.
