A5 Booklets
4pp Cover on 300gm Silk
Matt Lamination to outer
48pp text on 150gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated, perfect bound
Returning Home” is a deeply personal and engaging graphic novel by the award-winning illustrator, Cat O’Neil. The story unfolds in both the idyllic countryside of Scotland and the vibrant metropolis of Hong Kong, as the protagonist explores her identity in terms of culture, heritage, upbringing, and her associations with a physical place. The novel is a testament to the power of illustrations in storytelling, and how a well-crafted graphic novel can take readers on a journey across continents and cultures.
Cat O’Neil is an award-winning freelance artist and illustrator based in Edinburgh. Her work has been featured in various publications, including the Financial Times, New York Times, and Scientific American. With “Returning Home”, she wanted to create a graphic novel that explores the concept of ‘home’ in a mixed cultural environment. The novel is a story of discovery, and an exploration of what ‘home’ means in a mixed cultural environment. But it is also a story of the bond between a mother and daughter. Explore Cat O’Neil’s work
The journey of “Returning Home” from a concept to a printed graphic novel was made possible by the expertise of Ex Why Zed, a leading graphic novel printer. The novel was printed as an A5 booklet with a 4pp cover on 300gm Silk with Matt Lamination to the outer. The 48pp text was printed on 150gsm Silk with four-colour print throughout. The booklets were trimmed, collated, and perfect bound. This printing specification ensured a high-quality finish that brought the illustrations to life and provided a tactile experience for the readers.
One of the key aspects of the printing process was the glossy finish. The cover card was perfect for a children’s book with a coating on one side and uncoated on the inside to give it a chunky, tactile feel. The thick 350gsm cover was laminated for more longevity. This glossy finish is a similar effect that is seen on many highly successful children’s book series, making “Returning Home” a visually appealing graphic novel that stands out on the bookshelves.
Ex Why Zed has a track record of successful projects in children’s book and graphic novel printing. Some of the notable projects include “Yendor” by Rodney Matthews, “Space Story” by Robbie Kieran, and “The Grumpy Hamster” by Sojo Mouse.
Returning Home” is a testament to the power of storytelling through illustrations and the importance of high-quality printing in bringing a graphic novel to life. The glossy finish, the vibrant colours, and the tactile experience of the book all contribute to the overall reader experience. As a leading graphic novel printer, Ex Why Zed is proud to have been a part of this journey and looks forward to helping more authors and illustrators bring their visions to life.
