A5 Books
4pp Cover onto 200gsm Silk
Matt Lamination to outer
62pp Text onto 115gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
3 cover versions
Burnt Roti Issue 5, titled “They Look Like Us…”, is an uncompromising exploration of British-Asian identity politics. Helmed by Sharan Dhaliwal, this issue dives into the controversial intersections of representation, power, and colonial legacy in contemporary British politics. Every facet of its design—from bold cover illustrations to striking typography—serves as an intentional choice, evoking complex emotions and challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about identity and assimilation.
The cover, available in three versions featuring Rishi Sunak, Priti Patel, and Suella Braverman, commands attention through its vivid, almost visceral style. Each variant uses stark portraiture with exaggerated devilish accents—illustrating the figures with devil horns against a background of billowing red smoke. This artwork isn’t just visually arresting; it encapsulates the magazine’s theme of provocative satire and social critique. The burning aesthetic not only intensifies the ideological fire within the content but also underscores Burnt Roti’s defiance against the status quo.
This cover composition was printed on a 200gsm Silk cover with a matt lamination, enhancing the intensity of the colours while providing a tangible smoothness that contrasts sharply with the abrasive political content. The matte finish lends a sophisticated touch, softening the fierce visuals just enough to invite curiosity rather than repel. The precision in print highlights Ex Why Zed’s meticulous attention to production quality, ensuring that each hue and shadow remains faithful to the designer’s intent.
The typography choices are just as bold as the subject matter. The header fonts used for articles like “My Contradictions to the Brown Tory” and “The Unlikely Mother of South Asian Tories” are jagged and rough-edged, adding a raw, almost confrontational tone. This typographic style reinforces the zine’s critique of power structures and identity manipulation. Titles are rendered in a distressed, gritty typeface, echoing the rebellious spirit of underground zines and lending the publication an unmistakable identity.
Inside, each spread is dynamically composed with bold illustrations juxtaposed against heavy blocks of text, utilising the full-colour four-colour print process on 115gsm Silk paper for depth and vibrancy. The pages are meticulously laid out, balancing graphic art with narrative text. The choice of 115gsm Silk for the inner pages provides a smooth, tactile experience while ensuring that text and images are crisp and highly legible. This specific paper weight adds a slight heft, contributing to the overall premium feel without overwhelming the hands—a delicate balance that Ex Why Zed achieved expertly.
Prithy Paramothay’s artwork within the zine is confrontational and full of allegorical depth, reinforcing each article’s socio-political commentary. One striking spread features an illustration of a Thatcher-like figure, implying ideological lineage between Margaret Thatcher and present-day South Asian Tory figures. In another, a spread dedicated to satirical fruit illustrations highlights the absurdity of selective nationalism. The exaggerated caricatures are not only visually impactful but also serve as visual metaphors for the deeper critiques woven through Dhaliwal’s editorial voice. The seamless integration of these powerful visuals with the text illustrates Ex Why Zed’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the artwork, ensuring high-resolution clarity and colour accuracy.
The zine is perfect bound, which, combined with the A5 format, offers durability and a refined presentation that holds up to frequent handling. Perfect binding in this context is a choice that aligns with Burnt Roti’s objective to create a collectible piece—something that readers will keep and refer back to, beyond a one-time read. Each aspect of this binding reinforces the brand’s commitment to longevity and substance. The finishing touches—a precise trim, smooth collating, and attention to edge alignment—speak to Ex Why Zed’s dedication to quality, an essential for a publication with this level of ideological weight.
Each insight here not only enhances the book’s usability and aesthetic appeal but also serves as a guide for future creators aiming to craft publications that challenge conventions while prioritising high production standards.
In Burnt Roti Issue 5, Ex Why Zed has not only realised Sharan Dhaliwal’s audacious vision but also set a benchmark for zine printing that is as bold in craftsmanship as it is in content.
Ex Why Zed’s journey with Burnt Roti and its creator, Sharan Dhaliwal, is a testament to how precision and personal connection can transform a politically charged concept into a beautifully tangible zine. This case study explores the intricate print journey behind Burnt Roti Issue 5, highlighting the trust, technical finesse, and iterative consultation that guided it from draft to doorstep.
The journey began with Dhaliwal’s vision for a bold, satirical zine on British-Asian identity politics. Initially, the zine’s concept was edgy and candid, focusing on challenging societal norms around assimilation and representation. Dhaliwal had opted for an A5 format with 4pp Cover on 200gsm Silk, a matt laminated outer, and 62pp Text on 115gsm Silk. Ex Why Zed’s print recommendations aligned perfectly with her vision, adding durability and a premium tactile quality that would enhance the zine’s aesthetic and impact.
From the outset, we tackled technical challenges that surfaced during file preparation. Dhaliwal’s initial files were in RGB, but we quickly offered to convert them to CMYK to maintain the vibrancy of her artwork through the four-colour print process. Additionally, her files were sized at 120x85mm rather than the intended A5 dimensions. Our proactive adjustments allowed her to focus on finalising the editorial content while we ensured the technical aspects aligned seamlessly with her design vision.
As the project progressed, Dhaliwal expressed her uncertainty around text sizes for the A5 format, seeking guidance to enhance readability without compromising style. Our team shared insights on optimising font size for legibility within the compact layout, ensuring that her text complemented the zine’s dynamic visuals. Her enthusiasm grew alongside the technical refinements, evidenced by an increase in pre-orders that warranted a print run adjustment from 100 to 200 copies.
Dhaliwal’s creative ambition shone through in her desire for three different cover versions, each featuring distinct British political figures. This decision necessitated a cost recalculation and careful planning to achieve consistency across all variants. We meticulously outlined the details and confirmed the split of 60 copies each for covers 1 and 2, and 80 copies for cover 3. This flexibility underscored our commitment to customising the project for maximum impact, while maintaining a streamlined production process that kept the deadlines on track.
Midway through the production, Dhaliwal encountered compatibility issues with her InDesign software. Recognising the potential frustration, we provided her with pre-prepared InDesign templates for both the cover and interior pages, along with a video guide for setup. This support eliminated delays and allowed her to work confidently within the project’s specifications. Dhaliwal’s responses—”You’re an angel”—and similar expressions of relief underscored the value of our proactive customer support in making her vision achievable.
Further into production, Dhaliwal raised a concern regarding a colour bleed on an illustration of Margaret Thatcher, questioning whether the bleed lines would be correctly trimmed during binding. Upon inspection, we noted an issue with double crop marks but no actual bleed in the image. This minor setback was quickly resolved by advising a slight enlargement of the illustration, which ensured the image filled the intended space without visible crop marks. Through this interaction, our commitment to precision and quality assurance was reaffirmed, enabling Dhaliwal’s creative expression to translate accurately onto the printed page.
After finalising the print proofs, Dhaliwal was thrilled with the results. She confirmed the approval to proceed to print, yet shared a bittersweet sentiment about the issue being potentially the last edition of Burnt Roti. Her dedication to the project was clear, and we sensed the personal significance this zine held for her. In response, we ensured that her farewell to Burnt Roti would be memorable by arranging to capture video content of the printing process for her archival and promotional use.
Delivery day brought both excitement and anticipation. Our team coordinated closely with the shipping provider to ensure a smooth handover, keeping Dhaliwal updated on the delivery schedule. When the driver was delayed, we promptly communicated the adjusted arrival time, reassuring her that her project was in safe hands until it arrived. Upon delivery, Dhaliwal expressed genuine excitement and satisfaction with the final product, which she proudly shared across social media, tagging Ex Why Zed in recognition of our partnership.
Reflecting on the journey, Burnt Roti Issue 5 became a compelling success story, achieving both Dhaliwal’s creative ambitions and resonating powerfully with her audience. Her gratitude was palpable throughout the process, especially in her messages of thanks for the technical guidance and flexibility that brought her vision to life. The project’s outcome speaks to Ex Why Zed’s commitment to going beyond mere production, fostering a collaborative environment where even the most challenging projects are met with enthusiasm and expertise.
This edition of Burnt Roti not only cemented Dhaliwal’s standing in the British-Asian creative community but also reaffirmed Ex Why Zed’s reputation as a top choice for innovative, boundary-pushing print work. Following the success of this project, we look forward to future collaborations that celebrate creativity and uphold the quality standards exemplified in Burnt Roti Issue 5.
Burnt Roti Issue 5 embodies a unique collaboration where political art and print precision intersected to create a zine that challenges norms and inspires readers. The technical adjustments, bespoke printing solutions, and ongoing support Ex Why Zed provided were integral to transforming Sharan Dhaliwal’s powerful concept into a lasting print legacy.
