A5 Perfect Bound Art Journal Printing
The Winning Print Spec
A5 Books
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Uncoated
Matt Lamination to outer
162pp Text onto 115gsm Uncoated
Full colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
Mental Health Journal Printing
In this showcase snippet video, we take a look at issue 4 of the superb Doll Hospital a bi-annual art and literature journal on mental health.
When you embark on your self-publishing or indie press journey a fun part is preparing artwork, designing your masthead, the title and logo of your publication. You can keep this in the same place for each issue and just change the colourway and imagery.
The double-page spreads at the start and end of the journal are a big winner. It’s a feel-good pattern when you open the cover. Being super critical, we can see here the effect of the spine hinge – 7mm is lost from the inside cover and the facing first inside page which means the pattern doesn’t quite meet in the middle. With some pro skills, patience and Indesign acrobatics you can get around this.
Buy a copy of each superb issue at https://dollhospitaljournal.bigcartel.com/
Supporting Your Audience
Doll Hospital puts a supportive arm around the reader and welcomes them into its world. Uncoated feels like a softer and more appropriate treatment than silk or gloss would. It’s calmer and less in your face.
The 162 inside pages onto 115gsm Uncoated contain page after page of absorbing content, poems, creative writing and artwork. It can become a labour of love to physically lay out this amount of content but the payoff in the end is worth it. The volume of the pages does make for a weighty book that really makes an impact on a desk or bedside table.
The 300gsm uncoated for the cover has a real snap to it and the matt lamination protects the ink from cracking when folded.
For more Ex Why Zed Showcase Snippet videos, jump over to our dedicated page.
In this showcase snippet video we take a look at In-between which is Tiffany Roubert’s first photography zine.
Having completed the illustrious Masters in Documentary Photography at UAL, Tiffany filled 64 pages with a selection of reportage colour and printed black and and white images. A mixture of intimate portraits and travel photos captured over 4 years between Europe and Brazil.
The Winning Print Spec:
The zine is A5 with a 4mm spine just thick enough to display the title.
The inside pages have a slight sheen and are printed onto 130gsm Silk whilst the cover is a thicker 300gsm Silk. Tiffany does have a white background on her cover so lamination isn’t strictly necessary because there isn’t any ink on the folds to crack but the lamination added here just ensures the zines stay pristine for longer. You can see the images are sharp, dynamic and colourful with a page layout that is easy on the eye.
#photobooks #printing #photography #zines
Photography Book of Graffiti Art
In this showcase snippet video we look at New York Subway Art by @keith.baugh a magnificent journal of graffiti from 1973 – 1975.
✅ Find us at exwhyzed.com
? Winning print spec:
200x240mm Landscape Books.
4pp Cover onto 350gsm Silk.
Matt laminated to the outer.
198 inside pages onto 170gsm Silk.
Four colour print throughout.
Trimmed, collated and case bound.
Buy your copy at
https://keithbaugh.com/book.html
This custom size was chosen to give the photography the maximum space on the pages with a decent chunk of white space above and below. The 198 inside pages into 170gsm create a 15mm spine which is ideal to add the title and author’s name on a strong black background.
A Collector’s Dream Book
This is a collector’s dream and the sheer completeness of the archive is overwhelming with many iconic names, artists and works featured. Each has a credit underneath in an italic font. This is a good graphic technique and allows the reader to instantly have an appreciation for what they’re looking at. Double page spreads are filled with an image on both sides to draw in the audience and keep them engaged throughout the book.
As a nice touch at the back of the book, the author is seen featured with a lot of huge names from the scene. Ex Why Zed was lucky enough to print this second edition decades after the original.
Found this useful? Do like this video and subscribe to our channel for lots more similar content to help you choose the winning options for your next project.
A4 Portrait Books.
4pp Cover onto 170gsm Evolution Uncoated.
Printed full colour double-sided.
90pp Text onto 90gsm Uncoated.
Black print throughout.
Trimmed collated and perfect bound.
In this showcase snippet, we take a look at Issue 8 of Moof Magazine. We have been proud to print the brilliant Moof since issue 1 and have enjoyed seeing it evolve and the print run length grows in tandem with the readership.
Buy your copy from https://moofmag.com/
The 5mm spine is large enough to have the title and issue content down it which looks striking in the white font on black background. Looking closely you can see small evidence of cracking where the cover has been folded. This would have been offset if the cover were laminated but in turn, lamination makes the paper not recyclable.
How stunning is the cover when viewed as a spread!?! Such a cool illustration from the talented @thepinkyvision
We have a thin, flexible front cover onto 170gsm Evolution Uncoated which is a 100% recycled paper and slightly off-white tipping its head towards the 70s subject matter and towards old-school zine styling. 170gsm is the minimum weight for a perfect bound cover because of the amount of glue required to bind in the pages.
Opening the cover to reveal the inside pages we find the mono text block. The 90 inside pages are 90gsm. Zine printing on uncoated paper is a lightweight option and almost like photocopier paper. Cheap to print and easier for the reader to turn but when held up to the light you can definitely see the content coming through. It is just in keeping with the overall feel though and works well. They press down well for the reader and looking at the side elevation only a few millimetres are partially hidden in the spine gutter.
You can see the 7mm cover hinge glued to the first and last text page so always keep content out of that area when you are preparing artwork for perfect bound book printing.
Do tell us if your content is black ink only because it will reduce the print costs. Obviously, by ‘black content’ we do also mean greyscale and some shades too.
Overall, a superb magazine with papers and finishes that are completely perfect for the ethos of Moof.
A4 Perfect Bound Books
4 page cover onto 300gsm Uncoated
Gloss Lamination to outer
40 inside pages onto 170gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
In this showcase snippet video, we enjoy looking through The Lost Adventures of Baron Buckman, an A4 perfect bound graphic novel with a front cover that ticks the number one pre-requisite of a book front cover: it entices the reader in and makes them want to read more.
We have a 3 or 4mm spine which is just about deep enough to add the title and press information. You can see one of the perils of a spine this small, however, with the tiniest bit of a movement, the purple colour bar has ever so slightly slid round to the front cover. A better solution would have been to continue the cover image onto the spine so any movement would have been less obvious.
Opening the book, we see that the reader has to press the papers down maybe a little bit more than they’d like to see the full width of the page in the spine gutter. This is because of how tight that skinny spine is having to hold the pages in.
It’s actually visually a really nice print spec though and the combination of finishes works well.
The 40 inside pages are printed onto 170gsm Silk to make the colours super bright and the novel’s story engaging.
The front cover is onto 300gsm Uncoated with a Gloss Lamination to the outside creating a shiny outer but a matt inside.
Perfect binding gives this a substantial aesthetic, so would we switch to stapling instead to get around the spine gutter issues? Hmm, it’s tough but probably not. Reducing the inside pages to 130gsm and making the cover 250gm would have helped.
We enjoy Phoenix to San Antonio, the latest photography journal from the awesome @valeriej.bower and @melisduenas
203x152mm Zines
4pp Cover onto 240gsm Uncoated
Matt laminated to the outer
120 inside pages onto 100gsm Uncoated
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
We pick up the story as they photographically depict their trip from Arizona to Texas capturing all manner of one-off moments on film. Enjoy classic American cars, a healthy dose of signage and the coolest dressed dude you’ve ever seen, all bookended by poetry and creative writing.
We really like the choice of a 240gsm Uncoated cover. It creates a neat spine block and hinges that fall back to the text block easier than a more rigid 300gsm would. Yes, it’s thinner but the more of these snippets we do, the more we’re realising 240/250gsm is a better solution for zines and photobooks.
The 120 inside pages are printed onto 100gsm uncoated which again is slightly lighter than the standard weight which would be 115gsm. However, 100gsm is cheaper to print and each page features full bleed reportage photography documenting their trip across the States.
This is a winning print spec, we like it a lot.
Do check out the full print specs in the description below and get in contact with us to print your photographic, illustrated or literary zine, photo book or art journal. Found this useful? Do like this video and subscribe to our channel for lots more similar content to help you choose the winning options for your next publication.
#zine #zinester #printing #exwhyzedprint #interviews #printisnotdead #magazine #magazinecover #newmagazine #launchday #newzine #magazinestyle #editorial #alternative #indie #photography #photographersofinstragram #photozines #photography #sanantonio #phoenix #arizona
We check out the gloriously styled, head-space creating, surf-orientated photography of Yannick Schultz @bonjouryannick
A5 Books
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Uncoated
Matt laminated to the outer
58 inside pages onto 170gsm Uncoated
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
An A5 photography zine with 58 pages of skies, terrain and images that just make you want to get in a VW Camper and leave the city behind.
The 170gsm inside pages are more substantial, the max we can actually go to whilst ensuring the glue holds them in. There is a crispness and weight when the reader flicks through.
Ahh, check out Yannick’s superb photography. There is a nice flow without adhering to a specific grid layout. We love his smiley face love on the first text page. So cool.
The front cover on this particular version does seem to be onto a card lighter than the 300gsm that the final print run was produced onto. It could be 170gsm too with matt lamination which actually makes it easier to lift and open. Both would work. Wrapping the front cover image round onto the spine is one of our favourite design tricks. Going further, and wrapping it around to the back cover too is a superb technique! A top-class photo zine and you’d do well to copy the styling of this for a winning publication.
Do check out the full print specs in the description below and get in contact with us to print your photographic, illustrated or literary zine, photo book or art journal. Found this useful? Do like this video and subscribe to our channel for lots more similar content to help you choose the winning options for your next publication.
#surfphoto #surfphotography #noserider #surfingphotos #surfingphotography
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 take a look at the weighty photography zine, Intimacy by Ashton Thorp.
The winning A5 Photo Book print spec is:
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A5 Booklets
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Uncoated
Matt laminated to the outer
160 inside pages onto 130gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
The 9mm spine has plenty of room for the title text without it drifting anywhere near the edge.
And boom, there it is! The use of an impressive landscape photo to wrap all the wrap around from the front cover, over the spine and to the back cover. Love this graphic design technique.
This is 160 pages onto 130gsm Silk and makes for a substantial photo journal which captures Ashton’s photo sets from the last decade. Shame to edit them down so choosing 160 pages is a good vehicle for including as many as possible.
We have a fairly loose layout. Some pages incorporate landscape images and have white space above and below. Other pages have full bleed portrait photography. Ashton also fills double-page spreads with one landscape image across the two pages.
Add Typography for Extra Impact
The typography interspersed through this book adds an extra winning creative dimension. You can see the outline font used on the front cover and featured on the chapter breaks inside too.
Nice combination to have an uncoated cover for a matt feel, but silk insides give the photos more dynamism.
In comparison with earlier photo zines we’ve dissected, this 300gsm cover is noticeably thicker but actually works here because of the number of inside pages. It houses and protects them well.
Page numbers, the location and the date of the shot are added along the bottom of each page in a mid-grey shade to not clash with the content.
Do check out the full print specs in the description above and get in contact with us to print your photographic zine, photo book or journal. Found this useful? Do like this video and subscribe to our channel for lots more similar content to help you choose the winning options for your next print job.
We look at Issue 14 of the Short Fiction, Poetry and Literary magazine Shooter. We have proudly printed it since issue 1 so it’s another magazine that began its life on the press rollers at Ex Why Zed. High fives all around.
Buy your copy at https://shooterlitmag.com/
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222x157mm Portrait Books
4pp Cover Matt laminated onto 300gsm Silk
82pp Text onto 120gsm Uncoated
Full colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
Shooter is a custom size of 222x157mm making it more substantial than A5 which gives more space on the pages to fill with creative writing.
The typography is neat and legible often punctuated with a colour background or title. No need to get too creative here, in a literary zine the written word is the hero so the reader mustn’t have to fight to digest it. The coloured backgrounds are a good vehicle for breaking up the otherwise white pages though.
The styling is similar in each issue which breeds familiarity. For a deeper look into this, check out our next video about launching a new journal.
The colourway is taken from the cover illustration and repeated throughout the issue to create unity.
300gsm Silk is used for the cover to give a slight sheen and bright imagery. Matt Lamination is added to the outer to prevent the ink cracking. The inside pages are onto 115gsm which is a good choice for written word books.
Exploring Winning Print Choices for Literary Magazines
We take a deeper dive into Shooter Magazine which is a great example of a bi-annual series now at issue 14.
Buy your copy at https://shooterlitmag.com/
Choose a layout and style that you adapt and roll out each issue. This breeds familiarity within the readership and creates the branding for your journal.
Your masthead and logo will be used on the cover inside and no doubt on your website and promotional material too so give this some thought. It is the face of your work and should be representative and appropriate for the ethos and content.
Preserving the position of certain elements introduces a unity that makes it easier for you during the design process. The styling can be changed with the use of a different colour palette, icons and a hero image.
Everyone loves their 15 minutes of fame so reach out to your readers, patrons and supporters for creative writing zine submissions and cover illustrations.
Our final word of advice is to limit your exposure. Yes, you’ve got great aspirations and want to reach as many people as possible but be realistic with the print run to start with. There’s no harm in printing 100 copies then coming back for another 100 when you’ve sold out. Better to do this than ambitiously print 2000 of issue 1 and then not be able to fund issue 2 because you have excess stock and sales didn’t match expectations. Better to be a hare than a rabbit. Unless you’re a rabbit then, no offence intended – you keep doing YOU.
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.
Photographer and designer Jon Stone had a dream to turn his ten years of music photography into a book.
We were super chuffed to print this formidable coffee table book to celebrate his work. Jon chose the highest production values and finishes for the publication to ensure it did justice to his music concert and tour photography
It is a stunning book and after absorbing half a dozen pages you’ll just really really want to go to a gig right now and stand in a sweaty venue amongst thousands of other people, one hand on a drink, one in the air singing along to your favourite band.
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294x294mm Books
Cover onto Winter&Co Buckram Black
Wrapped over greyboard case
White Matt Foiling to outer
2 x 4pp End Papers printing onto 170gsm Uncoated
256 inside pages onto 170gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Case bound
Photographer and designer Jon Stone @jonstonevideo had a dream to turn his ten years of music photography into a printed piece. We were chuffed to print this formidable coffee table book to celebrate his work. Jon chose the highest production values and finishes to ensure it did justice to his ambition. This is one of those projects that we started Ex Why Zed to produce..
Acts featured inside include:
@teddysphotos
@mumfordandsons
@youmeatsixofficial
@omandm
@nicolescherzinger
@catchfishandthebottlemen
@keaneofficial
@ninanesbitt
Archive Feed is a seriously weighty book and a real collector’s item if you’re a fan of Jon’s work, music photography or the bands featured inside. There are plenty of never before seen shots of your idols so grab yourself a copy.
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.
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?
In this showcase snippet video we look at the debut book from First Man Photography, Illumination. An illustrious hardback book, Part photography journal, part autobiography. It showcases the highest production values with cover materials from Winter&Co, white foiling, GF Smith Colorplan endpapers and section sewing.
223×297 Landscape Case Bound Books.
Standard Case: Wibalin Natural Black.
Collector’s Edition Case : Napura Canvas Charcoal.
Wrapped over greyboard case.
White foiling to outer cover.
2x 4pp End Papers onto Wibalin Natural Sapphire Blue.
Four colour print throughout.
Trimmed, collated and case bound.
The front cover is understated and very classy.
The inside pages are onto 170gsm Silk at a bespoke size of 223x297mm. This is A4 width and a little bit extra on the height. It affords the luxury of displaying the photography at a more prominent size and showing enhanced details with a more engrossing experience of the subject matter. It creates wide double-page spreads which are great for landscape photography. You can reduce to 210mm on the height and save a decent chunk off the print cost.
We worked tirelessly with the author to produce a book he was really proud of and the finished publication is testament to the work put in on both sides.
Do enjoy looking at the First Man Photography YouTube channel which is a tremendous resource for inspiration.
Check out the print spec in the description below and do get in touch if you would like to print a similar book to showcase your finest photography in hardback book format.
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
CRI Juvenile Album Release Limited Edition Set
Promotional piece for the release of the CRI Juvenile album in October 2020.
Book printing, collation and assembly at Ex Why Zed in the UK.
Includes:
• Limited edition perfect-bound zine book
• ‘Juvenile’ album CD insert *pressed at Sony
• exclusive ‘Juvenile’ temporary tattoo sheet *supplied in
All are lovingly packaged in an orange bubble envelope.
A5 Books
4pp Cover onto 250gsm Silk
(2pp flap folding back in)
Matt Lamination to outer
94pp Text onto 120gsm Uncoated
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
Collate the CD into a book pocket, add a tattoo and collate it all into an orange envelope.
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.
Magazine Printing – A Thought-Provoking Read
Issue 2 of the thought-provoking @ablezine explores the theme of ‘Environment’ through the lens of disability and the perspectives of the wider disability community at large.
The winning print spec is:
265x205mm Perfect Bound Books.
4page cover onto 250gsm Gloss.
Gloss laminated to the outer.
184 inside pages onto 130gsm Silk.
Four colour print throughout.
Print Multiple Cover Versions
The printed version offers a choice of five cover versions brought to you by creatives @lauralulika @hang_linton @daniel_mutton @kswiss @itsyosquared @jtknoxroxs A big winner on Able Zine is the choice of front covers. We can split the total print run between multiple cover options. In this instance, 300 copies were divided between 5 and we supplied 60 copies of each. The inside pages stay common for the whole print run.
Each zine is packed with over 180 pages of content, images and interviews with amazing individuals living across disability spectrums.
Fashion Magazine Styling
Immediately, the high gloss cover jumps out. It is definitely eye-catching and tips its head toward the fashion magazines the editorial team is trying to emulate. The 184 inside pages are carefully planned, curated and designed. The typography is strong and the double-page spreads are engaging. Do allow plenty of time to lay out your zine. There is a decent mix of photography, illustration and creative writing.
Uniquely positioned in the zine space, Able seeks to increase representation for disabled and chronically ill creatives, young people and communities, both online and IRL. Superbly designed with high-end editorial their aim is to tackle ableism and discrimination through vivid, informative content and provide opportunities for those who may have previously been stigmatised or unwelcome in creative and cultural spaces.
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.
In this showcase snippet video, we take a look at Deep In The Whispering Woods, a welcome return from our friends at Sojo Mouse Publishing @sojomouse written by @fishinatree and illustrated by @sojoanimation
Like the look of this?
The winning print spec is:
A5 Perfect Bound Books
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Silk FSC
Matt laminated to the outer
Four colour double-sided
160 inside pages onto 120gsm Uncoated FSC
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound
There is a chunky spine on this book to secure the 160 action-packed inside pages and there is also…shhh…don’t tell anyone, a secret hidden message on the inside spine where we have glued the text. But unless you take the book apart, you’ll know the magic that lies within.
The front cover is onto 300gsm Silk plus matt lamination and the inside pages are contrasting 120gsm Uncoated. Crucially uncoated is a lot easier to write and doodle on to than silk or gloss so bear that in mind if you are considering a colouring, activity or notebook. Both the cover and inside are FSC Certified papers which is ideal for this outdoor-orientated fun kid’s book (as are all of our house papers).
This is an A5, perfect bound book full of complete joy that will encourage your children to explore the great outdoors. It makes for a fun and enchanting way for children to record their thoughts and adventures.
Do check out the full print spec and get in contact with us to print your new illustrated children’s activity book.
#childrensbook #bedtimestory #booklaunch #illustration #illustratorsofinstagram #teachers #education #primaryschool #climatecrisis #saveourplanet #environment #bookprinting #exwhyzedprint #selfpublishing #selfpublish #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #authorsofinstagram #watercolourart #independentauthor #kidsbook #indieauthor #childrensbookdesigner #publishingcompany
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.
At Ex Why Zed, we make your journey into print smooth, fun and easy to follow. From our initial contact, you will receive friendly expert help. Next, we give you all the tools and helpful guides needed to quickly prepare print-ready artwork. Finally, our top-of-the-range presses ensure your art looks the best it possibly can on paper.
In this showcase snippet video, we enjoy looking through a hardback photography book from Michal Augustini. ‘First Three, No Flash’ is a collection of iconic moments from live shows.
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
In this showcase snippet video, we take a look at a superbly designed, hardback artist’s catalogue for Guido Bollino.
The cover is a treat with the ‘torn away’ artwork on the right-hand side given a Gloss Spot UV Varnish over the matt lamination to pick that content out with a subtle shine and to differentiate it from the grey background on the left. Opening the cover reveals end-papers containing a montage of Guido’s contemporary art. A great use of real estate and a high impact to begin the publication.
Second Life captures weather-worn posters, redrawn by sun, wind, rain over time and given a spontaneous second life as art gems hidden in the city. Creativity at its finest from Guido.
#artbook #printing #artistbook #art
We were asked, “can you bind two booklets within one cover?”. After some head-scratching, beard stroking and using our brains…we came up with the solution!
