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PRINT a BOOK WITH A SPECIAL FINISH ON THE COVER at Ex Why Zed. Foiling, Spot UV Varnishing, Embossing

Posted on 31 August 2023

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 self published 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.

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