Understand All Aspects of Printing a Zine

“this is one of the most inspirational creative videos I’ve ever watched, cant wait to get printing….”

Enjoy our feature-length video as we guide you through the entire zine printing process. This super informative video takes you through how many artists, small presses and indie zine publishers have used print to promote their creative work. We detail the options available for size, paper and binding in zine printing.

Zines Offer A Range of Possibilities

We showcase illustrated, photography, poetry, skate and music zines and highlight the winning solutions to design and produce the perfect zine.

Self publishing your zine or magazine is super easy at Ex Why Zed. Start your print journey today!

“Brilliant video, didn’t think I’d get to the end, thankfully I did, as it was well worth it, thanks!!”

In this showcase snippet video, we look at four publications each with a special premium finish on the front cover. These are added extras you can add to really make a mark on the reader, set your book apart from the norm and make it visually high class and aspirational.

The dazzling print specs are:

Cheslea 10 Art Catalogue
170x120mm Books
4pp Curious Metallics Galvanised 300gsm
Embossed to outer
98pp Text onto 130gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound

Arcane Photobook
253x210mm Books.
4pp Cover onto 350gsm Uncoated.
Matt Lamination to outer.
Debossing to outer cover.
84pp Text
12pp onto 115gsm Uncoated
and 72pp onto 170gsm Silk.
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound.

Castrads Catalogue
150x150mm Books
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Uncoated
Matt Lamination + Gold Foiling to outer
88pp Text onto 170gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound

UNESCO Degree Show Catalogues
A4 Books
4pp Cover onto 290gsm Fedrigoni Sirio Nero
(Unprinted.6 designs with the UNESCO letter and spine text spot varnished to outer)
96pp Text onto 140gsm Cyclus Offset
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
6 cover designs

First is Chelsea 10 which is a pocket-size art book for the University of the Arts London. Not only is the cover onto the dazzling Curious Metallics Galvanised but the title and logo are embossed. Embossing is the process of pushing some content toward the reader. It adds a subtle 3-d dimension which might not be noticed at first, but when spotted, it brings a smile in the mind.

Secondly, let’s take a look at, Arcane by Jonathan White which has the large ‘A’ debossed. Debossing is the inverse of embossing and the content is pushed into the cover, away from the reader. Similar processes which rely on the use of a heavy metal plate so bigger font sizes and stronger vector graphics are more effective than tiny intricate detail which might not have a large enough surface area to actually emboss or deboss.

Next up is this 150x150mm perfect bound catalogue for Castrads. They manufacture extremely high-end radiators so opted for gold foiling on their catalogue cover to add a nod to their brand’s luxury appeal.

Finally, enjoy the gloss spot UV varnished lettering on the cover of this Degree Show Catalogue for Kingston BA Architecture. They have a link up with Unesco so we split the 1000 print run between 6 covers and the letters U N E S C O was varnished on each variation. They form a lovely set and the clear varnish on the black background is a big winner. Again, subtle to the eye initially but when tipped towards the light, the real beauty appears.

All of these processes tend to start at a £280 flat rate for 1-500 copies so for a handful of copies, maybe for a student’s hand in they are expensive, but for longer print runs they are definitely a classy addition to your brand, design agency or business could consider.

In this showcase snippet video, we enjoy this unique A5 illustrated zine with the full-colour images printed onto the eye-catching Curious Metallics Ice Silver.

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A5 Booklets
28pp Self Cover onto 120gsm Curious Metallics Ice Silver
Four colour print throughout
Wire stitched

The colours shimmer on the pages as the ice colour transcends the content. There is an interesting difference when we open up the cover spread with a distinct difference between how colour ink and black ink sit on the paper. We’ll leave you to decide which works best.

Full disclosure, printing onto metallic paper does cost more than printing onto our house silk, gloss or uncoated but the trade-off is a zine which stands out against the crowd and gets you noticed.

Each spread is full of space-age, moon-like imagery that captures the reader’s imagination. The 28 pages onto 120gsm form a neat finish that staples well. The subject matter is ideally suited to the paper really.

If you’re looking for something different than the norm and a statement piece then try out this print spec. The green background here, in particular, is an absolute triumph.

In this showcase snippet video we examine the three main types of binding we offer at Ex Why Zed.

The binding method you choose is dictated by the number of pages your publication has.

Let’s get started!

The Process of Wire Stitching

First up is wire stitching or stapling if you prefer less print jargon. The printed sheets are produced as spreads then folded in half and stapled twice on the spine to keep them together. Simple, cheap and effective for up to around 40 pages. It might not as high-end as our next two options but the advantage is that the reader can press the page completely flat.

A Look at Perfect Binding

Next up, perfect binding where we print the cover as a spread and a separate text block. The text block is trimmed to the size of your finished book, roughened up on the left-hand edge, a layer of glue applied and the cover is wrapped around and glued on with a 7mm hinge to the text block. Your books will have a neat spine if you have a minimum of 32 pages.

Making a Hardback Book

Finally, case binding to make a hardback book. We use thick 3mm board for the front cover, back cover and spine which is wrapped by your choice of either printed artwork or bookbinding cloth. Endpapers, in this instance black, are added to bind the cover block to the inside pages. The text block sits neatly inside the overhanging 3mm cover. Without a little force, the full width of a double-page spread isn’t completely visible on perfect bound or hardback books. Something to bear in mind with your layouts.

Looking at the side profiles gives you a great insight into the three different binding aesthetics. Which will you go for on your next project?

Which binding method will you choose to showcase your latest photography?!?

In this video we showcase the difference between softback, perfect binding and case bound (hardback) to help you choose which method will work best for your next Photobook.

The winning print specs shown in the video are

210x210mm Zines
4pp Cover onto 350gsm Silk
Matt laminated to the outer
76 inside pages onto 170gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound

250x250mm Case Bound Books
Cover onto 170gsm Silk
Wrapped over greyboard case
Matt laminated to the outer
2x 4pp End Papers printed onto 170gsm Uncoated
72 inside pages onto 150gsm Silk
Full colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and case bound

What is the Minimum Number of Pages for Binding?

First up, we do need to say that you will need a minimum, an absolute minimum, of 28 inside pages for it to be thick enough for either process. 36 pages upwards work best.

The two books we are looking at here are 210x210mm and 250x250mm so two square photo books which hit slightly different price points for both print costs and the retail cover price.

The 210x210mm softback book is a slick product, at a cost-effective price which gives you a wide 210x420mm double-page spreads and plenty of room for landscape or portrait images to breathe without feeling cramped. There is a 7mm hinge from the covers to text block and looking at the side profile you can see part of the spread is slightly obscured without going over the top and pressing the pages too flat.

The 250mm hardback is instantly more impressive and does command a higher cost which you can pass on to readers in book shops, tourist information, or your online store. The cover overhangs the text block by 3mm and the spine of our hardback books will always be a minimum of 9mm giving you plenty of surface area for the title and author’s name. Endpapers, which are the first and last double-page spread are a great vehicle of creating instant impact at the start and end.

The slightly wider 250mm pages have more flexibility and do fall flatter than the previous book we looked at. Again, the square format lends itself well to both portrait and landscape images with plenty of white space to draw the reader’s eye in.

Similar subject matters for both these books. As a guide, the 76 page Still Waters sells for £20 and The Sound of Waters with 76 pages can be bought for £30. Links in the description below, do buy a copy and enjoy!

https://loom.ly/G5zZdsI

https://loom.ly/T9Ch7h0

Enjoy more of our Video Guides on Binding, Paper and Finishes

London in Silence is a seriously imposing 340x280mm perfect bound book.

340x280mm Books.
4pp Cover onto 350gsm Silk.
Matt Lamination to outer.
160pp Text onto 200gsm Silk.
Four colour print throughout.
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound.

Printed on silk art papers, Hugo’s photography book and serving as a reminder to us all of just how crazy the first lockdown was when there really were NO people at all on the streets of the capital. It’s a haunting reminder and a stunning coffee table photo book and conversation piece.

All the photography is from the super-talented teenager Hugo Berman.

50% of proceeds go towards the purchase of essential ICU equipment at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital.

This premium photography book documents a year of lockdown in London. From famous landmarks to lesser-known corners of the city, these strange but absorbing images tell the story of a metropolis in silence, of deserted streets and of architectural details often overlooked when the streets are bustling with people. Through the prism of my lens, I have assembled a work of collective memory that will play an important role in remembering this unprecedented period in history and the drastic effect that COVID-19 has had on our urban life.

Buy your copy at https://www.shotbyhugo.com/

If you’d like to print something similar to showcase your photos, illustrations or written work then do get in touch and we look forward to transforming your ideas into print.

Josh Jordan self-published Coastline with Ex Why Zed, a love letter to the epic beaches, rolling landscapes and iconic amusements of the Kent coastline.

A Winning Print Spec for a Hardback Landscape Photography Book

252x297mm Case Bound Books.
Cover onto 170gsm Silk.
Wrapped over greyboard case.
Matt laminated to the outer.
2x 4pp End Papers Printed onto 170gsm Uncoated.
128 inside pages onto 170gsm Gloss.
Four colour print throughout.
Trimmed, collated and case bound.

Each book is shrink-wrapped to ensure they arrive in pristine condition.

Aiming for a more prestigious and high-end publication, Josh chose a hardback landscape format at a bespoke size of 252x297mm. The 128 pages form an impressive and weighty finished piece.

There is a well-curated set of photography and a good flow to the work with each image being given space to breathe on the double-page spreads. The inside pages are printed onto 170gsm Gloss so the images are bright, shiny and jump off the page.

Kickstarter Book Printing

Josh enjoyed a successful Kickstarter campaign while the book accompanied a photography exhibition in 2021 and the handful of copies left over were all snapped up in super quick time.

Being honest, this oversize format is more cost-effective on slightly longer print runs where the set-up costs form less of a chunk of the total cost. It might be cost-prohibitive for a student hand-in or final major project. This applies to hard cover books in general, they are impressive but if you need to save money then soft cover books are a cheaper way to print.

Margate Art Book Printing

The 350 mile stretch of Kent’s coastline contains some of the most wonderful, diverse, and strange places you will see in the UK. Historically, it has played an important role in both World Wars, as well as being a popular destination for tourists in the 19th century. These days, towns like Margate and Folkestone are trying to re-establish some of their former lure, while others are content with staying just the way they are.

Coastline explores the towns and villages that all share the sea, but have each developed communities and characters so different from each other, each place holding onto its identity and fighting for its place in the future of Kent.

Most local councils or tourist boards would have you believe that Kent only has beautiful beaches and artistic getaways to offer, while poverty, neglect, nationalism and gentrification are swept under the rug. This book aims to show that while no place is perfect, there is much more to Kent than advertised.

If you’d like to print something similar to showcase your photos, illustrations or written work then do get in touch and we look forward to transforming your ideas into print.

Printed in Colchester and delivered across the Atlantic to Durango Colorado. An impressive 304x304mm size wows the reader and gives the arms a good work out.

Winning Art Book Print Choices.

Print spotters, the spec is:
304.8 x 304.8mm Case Bound Books.
Cover onto 170gsm Silk.
Wrapped over greyboard case.
Matt laminated to the outer.
2x 4pp End Papers unprinted onto 170gsm Uncoated.
104 inside pages onto 200gsm Uncoated.
Four colour print throughout.
Trimmed, collated and case bound.

US Artist Book Printing

We are big fans of the colour shade used on the spine content. It is a nice graphic technique to use the sandy grey tone reversed out of the darker background.

Viewing the side profile, you can see the inside pages are section sewn. This gives the binding more resilience and allows the pages to open flatter than glue binding would. Just a note to say, this is a process that has higher set up costs, allow for an extra £200-300 so it might bee bet to stick with the standard glue binding if you are just printing a handful of copies.

The soft imagery on the cover opens to reveal artistic and aspirational photography throughout the 104 inside pages. 200gsm uncoated is used to create a heavy weight premium feel. As we said, the section sewn binding means the pages are robust and the double page spreads open completely flat. A very substantial and inspiring book.

This is exactly the kind of coffee table book we excel at producing at Ex Why Zed. It was a successful kickstarter campaign so the job was fully funded before it went to print.

The best book you’ll read all year, hands down!

The Winning Print Spec

210x210mm Books
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Edixion Uncoated
Matt Lamination to outer
388pp Text onto 140gsm Edixion Uncoated
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound

Illustrator Tim King takes you on an illustrated journey through 2020 using his inimitable and hugely engaging style of drawing. Each day spawned a new image as the year meandered from the optimistic start of a new decade into an apocalyptic behemoth that no-one could have imagined.

A Choice of Binding Styles

The book is available in both hardback and softback, each with its own unique charm. If your budget allows then this is a great way of targeting two different audiences with cover prices at two levels.

This is a seriously weighty publication and the spine alone is more than 2cms deep to hold the 388 inside pages. A great graphic win is the wrap-around cover with the Covid mask spanning the front cover round to the back cover. It is an instantly recognisable device that the reader associates with the year. So simple but effective.

The 210mm format is both cost-effective to print and lends itself equally well to portrait, landscape or square artwork. We challenge you to do a drawing each day for a year and print a similar printed record. This is a project that would work well as a Kickstarter.

Deciding on a binding type for your next publication.

Not sure whether to choose perfect binding or hardback binding for your book? Print both!

In this showcase snippet video, we take a look at My Wonder Line by Bun Bun Books and @VickyGooden a classic kids’ book print spec with a lovingly put-together story and illustrations.

265x210mm
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Silk
Matt Lamination to outer
32pp Text onto 170gsm Uncoated
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound

There are 32 inside pages onto 170gsm uncoated which looking at the side profile just about gives us the required 3mm depth to glue and perfect bind. The spine side affords space for the title and publisher to be added although do note that it needs to be small and well-centred with the spine’s parameters to avoid any risk of it sliding around to the front and back cover. A nice touch here is the navy blue spine with reversed-out text to draw attention to it and contrast with the lighter background on the covers.

This is a bespoke size of 265x210mm which you could increase to 297x210mm for the same price or drop to 240x170mm for a saving. The cover is printed onto 300gsm Silk with a matt Lamination to the outer. This ensures the cover content is vibrant whilst the inside pages are a crisper and more tactile uncoated finish. Uncoated slightly mutes the colours so is ideal for watercolour or pencil style.

A beautiful, neat reading book which is also cost-effective to print. As a guide, this retails at £7.99.

Buy your copy at: https://www.mywonderline.com/thebook

Do check out the full print specs in the description below and get in contact with us to print your new illustrated children’s book.

#childrensbooks #bedtimestory #booklaunch #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #teachers #education #primaryschool #climatecrisis #saveourplanet #environment #bookprinting #exwhyzedprint #selfpublishing #selfpublish #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #authorsofinstagram #watercolourart #independentauthor #kidsbook #indieauthor #childrensbookdesigner #publishingcompany

Three Choices for Children’s Book Binding

In this showcase snippet video we take a look at the three different binding choices when we come to print your children’s book at Ex Why Zed. The key thing to remember is that the binding method you choose is dictated by the number of pages your publication has.

Let’s get started!

First up is wire stitching or stapling if you prefer less print jargon. The printed sheets are produced as spreads then folded in half and stapled twice on the spine to keep them together. Simple, cheap and effective for up to around 40 pages. It might be visually as high end as our next two options but the advantage is that the reader can press the pages completely flat which is a BIG advantage for kids books and bedtime reading. You need to settle on a multiple of four pages for wire stitching so 20,24,28 for example…in case you don’t have a calculator handy 🙂

Perfect Binding with a Square Spine

Next up is perfect binding where we print the cover as a spread with a separate text block. The text block is trimmed to the size of your finished book, roughened up on the left hand edge, a layer of glue applied and the cover is wrapped around and glued on with a 7mm hinge to the text block. Your books will have a neat spine if you have a minimum of 32 pages. A lot of books in the children’s sector are exactly 32 pages so choose 170gsm silk, gloss or uncoated for the inside pages and that will just about get us to the 3mm thickness we need to glue the spine. Under 170gsm will be too thin. You can see that it is slightly harder to press the pages down, more so the nearer to 32 pages you are because the spine is tighter. So, don’t rule out staple binding completely if it’s super important that the reader sees the whole of the double-page spread.

Children’s Book with Hardback Binding

Finally, we move on to case binding and hardback books. Arguably the most professional looking of the three, we use thick 3mm board for the front cover, back cover and spine which is wrapped by your choice of either printed artwork or book binding cloth. End papers, in this instance these glorious leaves, are added to bind the cover block to the inside pages. The text block sits neatly inside the overhanging 3mm cover. Again, by pressing down the pages slightly you can view the whole spread. Something to bear in mind with your layouts – let’s keep important content like text or crucial imagery a good 8mm away from the spine side.

Looking at the side profiles gives you a great insight into the three different binding aesthetics. They each have their own characteristics, pros and cons.

Which Binding Style Will You Choose?

#childrensbooks #bedtimestory #booklaunch #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #teachers #education #primaryschool #climatecrisis #saveourplanet #environment #bookprinting #exwhyzedprint #selfpublishing #selfpublish #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #authorsofinstagram #watercolourart #independentauthor #kidsbook #indieauthor #childrensbookdesigner #publishingcompany #bookbinding

For more In-Depth Printing Video Guides, jump over to our dedicated page.

Graphic Design for Perfect Bound books

In this showcase snippet video, we flag up a few potential issues to consider when you come to create artwork for a perfect bound book. This particular publication is a photobook but the same principles apply to children’s books, FMPs and all self-published work.

The three key factors to consider in your perfect bound book design are:

• The cover hinges hides 7mm of the inside front cover, first text page, last text and inside back cover.

• Avoid the placement of details in the central gutter finally

• consider whether the spine is deep enough to include any text. #printing #graphicdesign #selfpublishing

A Closer Look at Photography Book Binding Styles

In this showcase snippet video, we take a look at the three different binding choices for when we come to print your photography book at Ex Why Zed.

Total Pages Affects Binding Method

The key thing to remember is that the binding method you choose is dictated by the number of pages your publication has.

We take a deep dive into wire stitching, perfect binding and hardback books.

Which will you go for on your next project? For a comparison between stapling, perfect binding of hardback, enjoy this video next.

#bookbinding #photobook #printing #selfpublishing

In this mammoth, feature-length video, we give you a wealth of information, ideas and insight to make this guide the perfect companion during your course’s catalogue planning meetings.

We show you the almost infinite options for binding, paper types, sizes and for creating a boundary-pushing, eye-catching front cover.

Additionally, there are numerous deep dive sections to highlight specific aspects of designing and styling the catalogue including a look at our top three catalogues of all time and what made them work so well.

**Spoiler alert! This video might encourage you to get that idea you have been working on for years into print. (Finally)

We have compiled an informative and ideas packed video showcasing our favourite publications from last year. Diving deep into 12 eye-catching projects we dissect what makes them successful, where the clients pushed the boundaries of print and how you can replicate these techniques with your next print brief.

The extensive video includes children’s books, notebooks, zines, photography books and artist catalogues. If you are thinking of printing one of these then this video will hopefully really broaden your knowledge on the options available and what can be achieved in print.

Looking for ideas on how to create and print an impressive hard back book?

Well, we have compiled the definitive guide to methodically guides you through the entire process. This super informative video takes you through the concept of case-binding, choosing your cover material, finishes and endpaper options. It showcases how the process lends itself to children’s, premium coffee table, promotional business and photography books. It also gives a comprehensive insight into winning page layouts.

It has never been easier to self-publish a hardback book than it is today at Ex Why Zed so we looking forward to seeing your artwork!

Interested in what the process is of case binding a printed hardback book?

Well, we have compiled a video step-by-step guide to show you the technical process involved and to help you gain an understanding on what decisions you can make to improve the appearance of your next book.

Hardback Book Page Order

This forms a very informational helping hand when you come to decide if you would like printed or plain end-papers because you can see exactly where they are positioned in relation to the cover ad text block of the book.

At the end of the book, the running order is:

It showcases how the case itself is made, the options for cover materials including printing a cover from your bespoke artwork, choosing a paper from the GF Smith Colorplan range or using one of the Winter&Company book cover materials. We discuss the technical considerations of the covers, endpapers and binding.

Hardback Book Printing – Your Options

You have designed brilliant artwork and now is the time to chose which type of cover you would like for your hardback book: a bespoke printed one, a GF Smith Colorplan one or a linen style cover using materials from Winter&Company.

We detail how each of these choices gives a different aesthetic to the finished book and how they combine with printing, foiling and gloss Spot UV Varnishing to produce a high-end publication to showcase your work in the best format possible.

The video showcases hardback children’s books, maximum quality coffee table books, University final major projects and photography books. We also give a comprehensive insight into winning page layout formats to help your graphic designer prepare the artwork for print. Enjoy our guide on the best graphic design software for producing print ready artwork.