BOOK SPECIFICATION
Format · Extent · Binding · Orientation
305 × 254 mm · 304 pages + 8 pages endpapers · Section-sewn square-spine hardcover · Landscape
COVER
Material · GSM · Board · Printing · Finishing
Material: WBN Slate 542# FSC · GSM: 120 gsm · Board: 3.0 mm greyboard FSC Recycled 100% · Printing: Unprinted · Finishing: Matte black silkscreen with anti-fingerprint varnish, blind debossing on front and spine
TEXT BLOCK
Paper · GSM · Color · Printing Method
Paper: Matte art paper FSC Mix Credit · GSM: 157 gsm · Color: CMYK + 2 spot colors · Printing Method: Offset printing, selective varnish on images
ENDPAPERS
Material · GSM · Printing · Attachment
Material: Woodfreepaper FSC Mix 90% · GSM: 140 gsm · Printing: 1 spot color (varies by edition), full oil-based matte varnish · Attachment: Glued endpapers
OTHER COMPONENTS
Slipcase · Sales Label · Headbands · Spine Insert · Packaging
Slipcase: 157 gsm gloss art paper, 3C printing, matte lamination, over 3.0 mm greyboard (UK/US only) · Sales Label: 200 gsm paper, 2 spot colors (UK/US only) · Headbands: Black GF128 · Spine Insert: 100 gsm kraft paper · Packaging: Individual shrink wrap
PRODUCTION NOTES
Challenge 1: Tonal Depth and Shadow Detail Retention in Historic Black-and-White Photography
The Challenge
Reproducing iconic black-and-white documentary photography across a 304-page landscape-format monograph requires extremely deep black densities without sacrificing middle tones or burning out subtle shadow details. Standard single-black ink passes cannot deliver the target optical density on heavy matte art paper.
Our Solution
Engineered a custom double-black ink formula combining standard process black with intense carbon black at a 1:1 ratio. Deployed a multi-channel pass combining the custom black mix, two custom spot greys, and localized hybrid varnish directly on image areas to preserve continuous tonal graduations and deep shadow presence.
Challenge 2: Multi-Process Alignment of Screen-Printed Silkscreen Black and Blind Debossing on Specialty Paper Covers
The Challenge
Applying screen-printed matte black ink, anti-fingerprint protective coating, and precise blind debossing onto specialty cover paper mounted on 3.0mm heavy binder's board risks misregistration, surface scuffing, or ink cracking along debossed typography edges.
Our Solution
Calibrated tight multi-pass registration marks for silk-screening black graphics followed by an inline anti-fingerprint matte varnish. Customized die clearance and compression pressures during the subsequent blind debossing phase to guarantee razor-sharp typography registration on both cover and spine without material stress.
Challenge 3: High-Precision Landscape Folding and Multi-Component Slipcase Integration
The Challenge
Binding a heavy 304-page landscape-oriented monograph requires strict folding and gathering tolerance to ensure seamless image continuity across multi-page spreads. Additionally, building a rigid 3.0mm V-grooved slipcase with anti-scratch lamination and custom wrap-around belly bands introduces risks of fit tolerance errors.
Our Solution
Executed rigorous folding alignment checks across all signatures to secure perfect cross-signature image alignment. Machined precise V-grooves on the 3.0mm slipcase board and fitted double-scored belly bands wrapped precisely around the casing edge, protecting the monograph while ensuring zero-defect packaging.