A4 Case Bound Books
Cover onto 170gsm Silk
Wrapped over greyboard case
Matt laminated to the outer
2x 4pp End Papers unprinted onto 170gsm Uncoated
66 inside pages onto 130gsm Silk
Full colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and case bound
The book PVC Sunset by Kieran Gabriel offers a striking and minimalist approach to urban landscapes through highly stylised and meticulously rendered illustrations. The book’s A4 case-bound design paired with bold visuals and smooth finish immediately commands attention, making it clear this is a premium, visually driven piece of work. The outer cover, printed on 170gsm silk paper and laminated with a matt finish, contributes to its sleek appearance and professional touch, while the internal content maintains a consistent aesthetic focus.
The book employs case-bound binding, wrapped in a robust greyboard, which gives it both a sense of durability and a refined quality. The binding is perfectly suited for a project like PVC Sunset, as it allows the book to open flat, ideal for displaying the wide, two-page illustrations that dominate the content. This is crucial to the book's layout, as many of the pieces appear in panoramic, landscape-style formats that demand full attention without any visual interruption from page curvature.
The inclusion of two 4pp unprinted endpapers adds an understated elegance and structural integrity, serving as a buffer between the cover and interior pages. They help ease the reader into the visual journey presented by the interior artwork.
The page layout follows a clean, minimalist design, allowing Gabriel’s artwork to take centre stage. The images, printed on 130gsm silk stock, are vibrant, with smooth finishes that complement the sharpness and precision of the digital illustrations. The juxtaposition of negative space around the artwork draws the reader's eye toward the centre of the pages, creating a focused viewing experience. The lack of distractions—such as text, unnecessary ornamentation, or complex background elements—highlights the urban solitude and silence that the artwork seeks to portray.
Typography is deliberately bold and simple, as evidenced on the cover with the thick, black sans-serif typeface for the title PVC Sunset and the author’s name, Kieran Gabriel. This reinforces the thematic focus of the book—modern, bold, and clean, perfectly aligning with the illustrated content.
The palette used in PVC Sunset is simultaneously muted and bold, primarily focusing on earthy tones, greys, browns, and concrete colours contrasted with pops of bright hues, such as red, green, and blue. This deliberate use of contrasting colours mimics the stark visual elements of urban settings and man-made structures. Gabriel’s decision to use sharp lines, clean edges, and simplified forms in his illustrations allows the colours to stand out more dramatically. Each page maintains a sense of visual balance through restrained colour use, ensuring the book feels cohesive without being monotonous.
The aesthetic of the book is both modern and nostalgic, capturing contemporary urban life while evoking a sense of timelessness in its depiction of seemingly mundane streetscapes and suburban architecture.
Kieran Gabriel effectively communicates themes of urban isolation, minimalism, and architectural beauty through his work. By focusing on clean, geometric forms and devoid of human presence, the illustrations encourage reflection on how individuals interact with and perceive urban environments. The designer’s use of ample white space and simple, almost graphic-novel-like visuals adds to the contemplative and quiet nature of the book. It’s not just a documentation of urban spaces, but a stylised interpretation that seeks to evoke emotional responses from readers.
The book design, led by Gabriel, places function and form on equal footing, achieving a balance that respects the integrity of the artwork while also ensuring the physical product is both enjoyable to hold and easy to navigate.
This sophisticated blend of striking visuals, minimalist design, and high-quality production values makes PVC Sunset an exceptional example of what can be achieved through collaboration between visionary artists and expert printers like Ex Why Zed.
This analysis of PVC Sunset offers a detailed breakdown of the book’s design elements and production quality, focusing on the effectiveness of the visual storytelling, the meticulous attention to materials and binding, and the overall user experience. These aspects work in harmony to create a publication that resonates both emotionally and aesthetically, offering readers an immersive and reflective journey through urban environments.
Kieran Gabriel’s PVC Sunset is a bold visual exploration of urban landscapes, and the journey to print reflects the careful considerations that went into creating this high-quality art book. This collaboration showcases Ex Why Zed’s attention to detail, expertise in print production, and dedication to customer satisfaction, from initial consultations to final delivery.
The conversation began in early September, when Kieran Gabriel reached out to Ex Why Zed to discuss his upcoming book project. Building on the success of his previous book, Kieran was keen to refine the production values even further. His main concern was the quality of the interior pages, which he felt, while praised by many, did not quite match the vibrancy of his prints.
Kieran specifically asked for advice on how to improve the paper stock or printing method to ensure the images jumped off the page with the same clarity and saturation as his standalone prints. Ex Why Zed’s Mike Heaton responded swiftly, suggesting a switch to 170gsm silk for the interior pages. He pointed out that silk stock would provide a more vibrant reproduction of the artwork, creating a contrast with the book’s uncoated cover for a balanced but striking aesthetic.
This quick, thoughtful recommendation set the tone for the collaboration, with both parties striving to achieve the best possible outcome. Kieran trusted Ex Why Zed's expertise and was quick to embrace the proposed change, further enhancing the book’s production quality without significantly increasing the cost.
Throughout the exchange, Kieran explored different options to elevate the tactile experience of PVC Sunset. Initially, he considered switching from hardcover to softcover to balance production costs while maintaining a premium feel. However, after reviewing samples sent by Ex Why Zed, Kieran decided to stick with a hardback format, reinforcing the importance of creating a book that feels like an object of value. He also inquired about the possibility of adding textured elements or embossing to the cover, but after reviewing the associated costs and lead times, opted for a simpler, printed silk cover with matt lamination—similar to his previous book.
One of the standout aspects of the production journey was Ex Why Zed’s ability to balance cost, practicality, and aesthetics. The team suggested alternatives like GF Smith’s premium paper stock, but were transparent about the significant cost increase, steering Kieran towards high-quality yet budget-conscious in-house options. Ex Why Zed’s commitment to customer satisfaction ensured Kieran felt supported in making decisions that best aligned with his artistic vision and financial goals.
As the project progressed, Kieran remained mindful of deadlines, aiming for a November launch. Ex Why Zed offered forward planning advice, reminding Kieran to submit his artwork early and allow extra time for production, given the busy end-of-year period. Their advice to run unbound flat sheet proofs before the full print run exemplified their thorough approach to quality control. Kieran was pleased with this suggestion, as it allowed him to assess the colours and print quality before committing to the entire production.
Despite a tight production schedule, the team at Ex Why Zed maintained open communication, keeping Kieran updated on every stage of the process. When Kieran made a last-minute change, extending the number of pages from 60 to 66, Ex Why Zed recalculated the costs without hesitation and continued smoothly towards the final delivery.
The final product was delivered on time, and Kieran was highly satisfied with the result. However, he did notice an unexpected yellow line offset on the cover’s design. Rather than seeing this as a major issue, Kieran felt the error actually enhanced the book’s aesthetic, adding an unintentional yet welcome element to the artwork. Ex Why Zed quickly acknowledged the printing alignment error, offering to rectify it in future print runs by providing a discount or other compensatory measure. This proactive, customer-first approach further solidified the positive working relationship between Kieran and Ex Why Zed.
PVC Sunset went on to receive glowing reviews, with Kieran’s audience praising the book for its stunning visuals and exceptional production quality. The collaboration was not just a business transaction but a creative partnership, with Kieran valuing Ex Why Zed’s input and the company appreciating Kieran’s artistic vision. The success of this project has paved the way for continued collaborations, with Kieran expressing his intention to work with Ex Why Zed on future publications.
The print journey of PVC Sunset reflects Ex Why Zed’s dedication to quality, open communication, and client satisfaction. By providing expert guidance, flexibility, and transparency throughout the process, Ex Why Zed helped Kieran Gabriel bring his artistic vision to life. The result is a premium art book that not only meets but exceeds expectations, reinforcing Ex Why Zed’s position as the go-to print partner for artists and creatives.
The collaboration has laid a strong foundation for future projects, demonstrating the value of trusting skilled printers who can navigate both the creative and technical aspects of book production. The mutual respect and clear communication between Kieran and Ex Why Zed resulted in a final product that exemplifies the art of print, with both parties looking forward to the next chapter in their partnership.
