I can't say enough good things about the customer support, the quality, and the professionalism of this company. They were patient, willing to answer any and all questions, and to work with me until I had a product that I am 100% proud of.
Annie Brooks. Artist, Musician and now Self-Publisher!
The project began as a deep dive into the world of Ankaret Ilhaam, a tale woven by Annie Brooks that explores the origins of myth and the essence of storytelling through book printing. Every element of this case-bound book, from its luxurious linen cover to its meticulously printed pages, is a testament to the genuine passion behind its creation.
Ankaret Ilhaam is a beautifully crafted art book that immediately draws the eye with its ornate cover. The use of Wibalin Finelinen in a rich terracotta shade, coupled with gold foiling, gives the book an elegant and timeless feel. The cover exudes a sense of ancient mystique, an intentional choice that aligns perfectly with the book’s thematic focus on myth and lore. This meticulous binding process, where the linen wraps seamlessly over greyboard, ensures durability and gives the book a tactile, luxurious quality that is rarely seen in contemporary publications.
Inside, the narrative unfolds across 50 pages of uncoated, 170gsm stock, chosen to accentuate the hand-painted illustrations. The earthy, muted colours reflect the ancient landscapes and characters, bringing Brooks' storytelling to life in a way that feels both immersive and grounding. The matte finish on the pages prevents glare, allowing readers to fully engage with the artwork without distraction. The result is a reading experience that feels intimate and meditative, as if one is unearthing a relic from the past.
The typography also deserves special mention. The typeface is ornate yet legible, echoing the swirling script found on ancient manuscripts. The text is thoughtfully arranged, often integrated with the illustrations to create a flowing, cohesive visual narrative. Each page turn feels like stepping into another chapter of a forgotten myth, guided by the delicate interplay between words and images.
The initial capital letters are embellished, setting a tone of grandeur right from the beginning of each new section. These capitals, combined with Brooks’ use of an earth-toned palette, subtly guide the reader through the tale, blending visual aesthetics with textual storytelling. Additionally, the language key provided within the book is an inventive touch, introducing readers to the symbols and characters that populate this mythological universe.
Complementing the case-bound cover is a full-colour dust jacket that wraps snugly around the book. Printed on 170gsm silk paper with matt lamination, the jacket serves both as a protective layer and an extension of the book’s artistry. The matt lamination gives the cover an appealing texture and ensures that the vibrant imagery remains smudge-free. This thoughtful choice enhances the book’s longevity while preserving its aesthetic appeal.
Producing Ankaret Ilhaam required a balance between artistry and precision, a challenge we were excited to meet. The four-colour print process captured the subtle gradients and intricate details of Brooks’ illustrations, maintaining consistency across each page. Collating, trimming, and binding the book was a meticulous process, but one that ensured each copy was as close to perfect as possible.
Our collaboration with Annie Brooks on this project underscores Ex Why Zed’s commitment to quality and innovation. We approached every step with a bespoke mindset, understanding that this was not just a book but an art piece. The final product is a tribute to the seamless integration of design and narrative, a piece that feels as though it could belong in a museum as much as it does on a bookshelf.
Each of these insights contributes to the overall impact of Ankaret Ilhaam, ensuring it is not only a book but an experience that resonates deeply with its readers. Our approach to this project exemplifies Ex Why Zed’s dedication to producing books that are as much works of art as they are vessels of knowledge.
Our journey with Annie Brooks on the creation of Ankaret Ilhaam was a deeply collaborative process. Right from the beginning, Annie’s vision for the book’s aesthetic and design was both ambitious and clear, requiring a bespoke print approach that would bring her mythic-inspired narratives to life. The project spanned several months and involved ongoing communication to ensure every detail met her high standards and resonated with her vision.
At the outset, Annie came to us with her ideas for a cover that incorporated Wibalin Finelinen and gold foiling. She was specific about her desire for an understated, yet luxurious finish, which led us to recommend Wibalin Finelinen in terracotta, a choice that beautifully complemented her gold foiling design. As Annie worked through the design, she raised various technical questions about file setups, the impact of print materials, and the intricacies of applying gold foiling.
The initial challenge emerged when Annie noticed minor misalignments in the foiling and dust jacket during the prototype review. While these issues were part of the natural variability of print processes, we knew how important precision was to her. To address this, we meticulously reviewed our production steps and implemented additional quality checks, taking special care to centre the stamping and adjust the dust jacket’s alignment.
Annie’s attention to detail was unparalleled, and she quickly identified areas that required adjustments, particularly in the text placement on the dust jacket and the cover. Despite her files being set up correctly, the misalignment was a concern that we immediately set out to resolve. This involved recalibrating the templates to ensure minimal margin discrepancies, which were sometimes exacerbated by the linen’s natural variability during trimming.
Another challenge arose when Annie expressed dissatisfaction with the textured feel of the initial cover material. She found it lacked the depth she had envisioned, and thus began exploring alternatives from Winter & Company’s range. Our team provided guidance on materials compatible with foiling, ultimately leading to the selection of Wicotex Brillianta in “Rost.” This change required a custom order and an additional proof to confirm the texture and durability met her expectations, but the result was worth the effort.
The print journey involved not only material choices but also attention to finer details, such as colour consistency. Annie was particularly invested in ensuring the dust jacket matched the warmth of the interior pages. Given that dust jackets were printed on 170gsm silk with a matt lamination, this created a challenge in achieving exact colour consistency with the uncoated pages. To ensure the closest match possible, we conducted additional tests and provided Annie with detailed proofs via a scheduled Zoom call, offering her a real-time view of the colour contrasts. This attention to collaborative quality checks ensured that her vision was faithfully executed, and her concerns about achieving the right tone and texture were addressed.
After numerous rounds of adjustments and proofs, we completed Ankaret Ilhaam to Annie’s specifications. Despite initial concerns about the cover bowing due to humidity differences between the UK and her US location, the end product was met with enthusiasm. Annie appreciated our commitment to preserving the integrity of her work, as evidenced by her final feedback praising the “absolutely perfect” outcome of the main book design. She was delighted with how the gold foiling, cover material, and end pages contributed to a cohesive and luxurious final product.
The project exemplifies our dedication to accommodating client feedback and perfecting the finer details of print production. Annie’s appreciation for our flexibility and personal customer care was evident in her continued communication, even as we finalised the dust jacket and resolved minor alignment adjustments.
Ankaret Ilhaam was more than a printing job; it was a journey of adapting and aligning with an author’s vision, down to the most minute details. By remaining responsive to Annie’s feedback, providing bespoke material recommendations, and ensuring precise quality checks, we delivered a product that met her high standards and created an immersive reading experience for her audience.
Annie’s satisfaction with the end result has opened the door for future projects, as she continues to explore material options and bring her unique stories to life through print. We look forward to further collaborations with her and other like-minded creators who value meticulous craftsmanship and personalised service.
In the end, Ankaret Ilhaam stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a shared vision, relentless attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence come together in the world of bespoke book printing.
