280x210mm Books
4pp Cover onto 350gsm Silk
Matt Lamination to outer
180pp Inside Pages onto 150gsm Uncoated
Printed in full colour throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
"I am ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED with the result. It is everything I hoped for"
Charlotte Bellamy’s poetry-art book, If The Woods Whispered, is a deeply immersive and evocative piece that blends abstract woodland photography with poetic reflections. A project that took over three years to refine, it is more than a book—it is a journey of connection between human experience and the natural world.
At Ex Why Zed, we had the privilege of transforming Charlotte’s vision into a tangible, beautifully printed publication. Through our collaborative approach, we ensured that every detail—from the paper stock to the binding—complemented the ethereal nature of her work.
The book cover is a statement in itself—an abstract, dreamlike photograph of a woodland scene in blurred green and earthy hues. The soft-focus effect combined with delicate typography sets the tone for what lies within: an intimate, contemplative experience. The choice of Matt Lamination on 350gsm Silk enhances the tactility, reinforcing the organic and immersive feel of the book.
The interior pages follow a minimalist, elegant design. The typography is refined, allowing the poetic text to breathe while complementing the visual rhythm of the images. A careful balance has been maintained between white space, text placement, and the imagery, ensuring an uncluttered yet deeply engaging experience.
The page layout employs a single-image-per-spread format, allowing each photograph to command attention. The text is often aligned to the left, creating a narrative flow that encourages the reader to move seamlessly between words and visuals.
Charlotte’s photography is at the heart of this book. She has used a combination of intentional camera movement (ICM) and traditional photography to capture a sense of movement, emotion, and interaction within the natural world. The imagery varies from striking monochrome studies of twisted roots to painterly compositions in soft-focus greens and browns.
Each photograph is paired with poetry, creating a meditative dialogue between image and text. The black-and-white spreads evoke a sense of nostalgia and depth, while the vibrant colour images bring warmth and energy, highlighting the shifting seasons.
Printed in full colour throughout on 150gsm Uncoated stock, the paper choice was instrumental in maintaining the book’s organic aesthetic. Uncoated paper allows for a softer, more natural finish, giving the images a slightly muted, artistic quality, rather than the ultra-sharp precision of glossy finishes.
The high-quality print ensures that the nuanced details of Charlotte’s work are preserved, from the fine textures of tree bark to the soft blending of tones in her abstract compositions. The uncoated pages absorb the ink in a way that enhances the intimate, handcrafted feel of the book.
Given the 180-page count, perfect binding was the ideal choice, providing a sturdy yet flexible structure. The binding complements the book’s size (280x210mm), allowing it to open comfortably while maintaining its form, crucial for a book designed for slow and contemplative reading.
Transforming an artist’s vision into a beautifully crafted book is always a journey, but Charlotte Bellamy’s If The Woods Whispered was a particularly rewarding one. From early material considerations to final delivery, our collaboration with Charlotte was an exercise in precision, patience, and creativity.
As an artist whose work is deeply intertwined with nature, Charlotte sought a book that not only presented her poetry and imagery but felt like an extension of the forest’s whispers. This required meticulous attention to paper choice, binding, and printing techniques to ensure the final product was both visually and tactilely immersive.
This is the story of how we brought If The Woods Whispered to life.
Charlotte first reached out to us with a strong vision but a few uncertainties about paper selection. Despite extensive online research, she found it difficult to visualise how different paper types would affect the printed images. To resolve this, she requested sample packs that would allow her to see, feel, and compare options before committing to a final decision.
🚀 Our Response: We promptly dispatched a sample pack, ensuring she could make an informed choice based on real-world textures and finishes. Charlotte later confirmed that seeing the samples was invaluable in her decision-making process.
Charlotte’s project was a fusion of photography, poetry, and an intimate personal journey with nature. Each element had to be carefully considered to maintain the balance between imagery and text while preserving the essence of her original vision.
Charlotte faced a tough decision between silk and uncoated paper for the inside pages. Silk paper offers a smooth, more refined finish with slightly sharper image reproduction, whereas uncoated stock has a natural, organic feel that better suited the mood of her work.
📌 Solution: We provided price estimates for both options, along with insights on how each would affect the overall thickness and weight of the book. After much deliberation, Charlotte opted for 150gsm Uncoated paper, which provided a softer, more natural appearance that complemented her photography.
Once Charlotte finalised her artwork, she uploaded the files via WeTransfer, allowing us to perform a preflight check to ensure everything was print-ready.
🔍 Key Checks Conducted:
After a final digital proof approval, the book was pushed to print.
The book was trimmed, collated, and perfect bound, with a 350gsm silk laminated cover to provide durability while maintaining a premium feel. Our high-quality full-colour digital printing ensured that Charlotte’s delicate photography was preserved with its intended depth and texture.
Charlotte’s reaction to the final book was overwhelmingly positive.
“I am ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED with the result. It is everything I hoped for, and finally holding it in my hands after 3 years of working on it is a massive achievement. The quality of the printing, paper and feel, and look of the book, and colour representation is perfect.” – Charlotte Bellamy
Her book launch was a success, and she later informed us that sales were strong, requiring a reprint of 100 additional copies. The second batch was processed smoothly, ensuring consistency with the original run.
Charlotte Bellamy’s If The Woods Whispered is a perfect example of how print can enhance artistic storytelling. This project demonstrated the importance of paper selection, precise file preparation, and the need for flexible, solution-driven print support.
We take immense pride in our role in this project, ensuring that Charlotte’s vision was realised in its purest form. The book’s continued success is a testament to both the power of thoughtful self-publishing and the value of a dedicated print partner.
🚀 Next Steps: With her first book a success, Charlotte is already considering future projects. We look forward to working with her again and continuing to bring creative visions to life.
How to Self-Publish a Poetry Book—The Smart Way
This guide distills everything a modern poet needs to self-publish with impact—from shaping your manuscript to designing a standout cover and choosing the right format. It dives deep into practicalities like editing costs, ISBNs, and print options (POD vs. offset), while delivering pro-level insights: use uncoated paper for warmth, don’t cram poems onto pages, and treat your layout like a stage for each piece. Ideal for first-timers and seasoned poets alike, it’s a blueprint for building a book that looks and feels as powerful as your words.
Your No-Fuss Guide to Poetry in Print
Forget the gatekeepers—this hands-on guide empowers you to turn raw poems into a bound poetry zine that’s bursting with personality. From idea-storming and mood boards to layout finesse and bold binding choices, it shows how to shape your style into something tangible. Top takeaways? Keep typography readable but expressive, give poems room to breathe, and match your binding to your vibe. Whether you're printing a one-off zine for a poetry night or scaling up with POD, this is creative freedom at its finest.
