A4 Books
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Silk
Matt Lamination to outer
88pp Text onto 150gsm Silk
Full colour print throughout
Perfect bound
The photography book Fifteen Minutes from Home by Stefan Morris presents a visually immersive journey through the world of outdoor rock climbing in South Pembrokeshire. The design is a clean and striking representation of the natural world, reflecting both the adventure and the beauty of climbing. This A4-sized publication is perfect bound and printed in full colour, offering a tactile and visual quality that elevates the reader’s engagement.
The book utilises perfect binding, which suits the substantial 88-page content. This binding style not only gives the book a professional finish but also ensures durability, making it perfect for a photography collection. The perfect-bound format supports seamless page flow, allowing readers to fully immerse in the large, sprawling landscapes without interruption at the spine. Notably, the double-page spreads capture expansive cliffs and climbs, where the binding ensures the continuity of the imagery.
The layout is dynamic, alternating between large, full-page photographs and smaller, double-page layouts with multiple images. This variation creates rhythm and movement, much like the flow of a climbing expedition itself. The photographs are carefully placed, with margins allowing the images to breathe while retaining the boldness of each shot. The simplicity of the page numbering, tucked discreetly into the lower corners, keeps the focus on the visuals.
The full-colour print effectively conveys the contrasting tones of the natural landscape—rugged cliffs, vibrant skies, and the sea’s deep blues. The rich textures of the rock formations are rendered beautifully through the choice of 150gsm silk paper for the internal pages. The subtle sheen of the silk paper elevates the colour depth and adds a premium finish, enhancing the dramatic natural lighting captured in each photograph.
The Matt Lamination on the 300gsm cover adds to the book’s tactile quality, giving a soft, non-reflective finish, which complements the rugged yet serene feel of the imagery. This lamination choice strikes a balance between durability and aesthetic softness, making the cover inviting and easy to handle.
The typography used for the title on the cover is bold and clean, aligning with the modern, minimal aesthetic of the book. It serves as a grounding element against the rugged backdrop of the climbing photo. Inside, the understated and legible font choice for page numbers and captions subtly guides the reader through the visual narrative without overpowering the photography.
The collaborative efforts of Stefan Morris, the photographer, and the book’s designer clearly communicate a love for climbing and the dramatic landscapes of South Pembrokeshire. The design places the photographs at the centre of the storytelling, with minimal text, ensuring the imagery speaks for itself. The designer’s restraint in embellishments allows the reader to feel the raw connection to the outdoor experience, mirroring the solitude and challenge of the climbs depicted.
By incorporating these insights, designers and self-publishers can create impactful and visually engaging photography books that resonate with audiences on both a tactile and aesthetic level.
Stefan Morris approached Ex Why Zed to bring his photography book, Fifteen Minutes from Home, to life. The project was a photographic exploration of South Pembrokeshire’s climbing scenes, and Stefan sought high-quality print to capture the striking visuals of his work. From the outset, we established a clear, collaborative relationship with Stefan, focusing on making the print process seamless for him.
Our first correspondence highlighted our expertise in photography book printing, reassuring Stefan that we understood the specific demands of such projects. We recommended 150gsm Silk paper for his internal pages, offering a balance of sharp, crisp finish and vibrant colour reproduction. This advice stemmed from our experience with how various papers handle the complex nature of full-colour photography prints, particularly in managing the transition from RGB (screen colours) to CMYK (print colours).
This early stage also included advice on potential pitfalls like the RGB to CMYK conversion, ensuring Stefan understood that while printed images would always look slightly different from their on-screen counterparts, our HP Indigo and Heidelberg litho presses would yield results as close to the original as possible.
The next phase involved setting up the cover and internal artwork files. Stefan requested advice on the spine thickness for his A4 book, and we provided a 6mm spine measurement and even attached a customised cover template. This step ensured he could accurately prepare his artwork, with clear guidelines on setting bleeds and ensuring his file was export-ready.
Moreover, Stefan inquired about a test copy before committing to a larger run, a reasonable request when dealing with intricate visual projects like photography books. We offered to print a single copy for review at a cost of £58, emphasizing that while the test copy wouldn’t be colour-matched, it would give Stefan a chance to review the overall layout and feel of the book.
Once Stefan submitted his PDFs, we performed a preflight check to highlight any potential issues before going to print. This is part of our standard process, ensuring the final product matches the client’s vision. Following a quick production run, Stefan received his test copy within a week. His feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and after making a few small adjustments, he resubmitted his final artwork via WeTransfer.
The final files were checked, approved, and we swiftly moved to the final production phase for 30 copies of Fifteen Minutes from Home. Stefan’s enthusiasm for the final product was clear when he received the full order, delivered promptly by DPD. His final email expressed his satisfaction with the results, stating he was “really happy with how they’ve turned out!” He also confirmed that he would return to us for future projects.
We always aim to offer more than just print services—ongoing client support and promotion are essential parts of our process. After the delivery, we reached out to Stefan to promote his book on our social media channels, helping him reach a broader audience. He shared his Instagram handle, @stefanpatrickmorris, and we are now in the process of featuring his book across our platforms, adding value beyond print.
Stefan Morris’s Fifteen Minutes from Home exemplifies how effective collaboration can elevate a project from concept to print. By offering tailored advice on paper stock, colour management, and file setup, we ensured his work was represented in its full glory. The final product, with its stunning visuals and high-quality finish, not only met but exceeded Stefan’s expectations, reinforcing the notion that Ex Why Zed is the go-to partner for photography book printing.
As always, our post-print care extended to helping Stefan promote his book, demonstrating that our relationship with clients goes beyond the initial print job. We look forward to working with Stefan again on future projects, helping to transform more of his creative visions into beautifully printed reality.
