Book final revisions and production. All of this achieved with research, tips from others, and liaising with the printer

Following final revisions set out here: https://nkssite6.photo.blog/2025/01/20/assignment-four-publication-draft-learning-log-mark-2/ I prepared the files to go to my preferred printer EXwhyzed my choice of printer previously outlined here: https://nkssite6.photo.blog/category/sustaining-your-practice/assignments/a4-syp/a4-syp-book-pre-printing-notes/      

Summary Exwhyzed: superior quality, wide choice of papers, cover finishes, printed end pages, bespoke sizes (I opted for 263 x 210 mm a 5:4 ratio), uses professional publishing software for files, and is recommended by other OCA graduates.

When using Blurb I have used their own software, however with ExwhyZed I had to use Adobe Indesign or affinity publisher- new territory. Exwhyzed gave online advice on using Indesign to meet their printing specifications, however to subscribe to this software would have altered my historically inexpensive Adobe monthly subscription going forwards, so I sought another option.

Affinity offered a 60 day free trial for their affinity publishing software, and after discussing with Exwhyzed I decided to use this publishing software. Though dreading using it, it was reasonably intuitive, I managed to problem solve using the internet, and by liaising with the printer when needed.

They required 4 files for my book, Cover, front end pages, back end pages and inner 32 pages. All images to be in CMYK not RGB. This necessitated revising my images to this format. I paid for a proof printing so I could check the colour quality of my settings and the images on their paper. I ordered to be with me in a few days when I had finalised the book and could alter images settings if necessary before it went to print.

In affinity I set the document settings for each file, these are the ones I used for the 32 inner pages:

I kept a track of all settings as I worked, as well as font sizes, image box sizes and guideline placements for additional margins. This was all painstaking work and maths was never my strong point, so I did lots of cross checking.

I added in revisions suggested by my tutor eg.

• Use a light font and as small a font size as possible for reading,
• line up all bottom margins,
• increase text margins in some places,
• reconsider the font used throughout
• Change the justifying in some places.

See my Tutor feedback blog post for further detail: https://nkssite6.photo.blog/2024/10/06/syp-assignment-4-reflections-on-formative-feedback/

The specifications for the book are:

• Size 210mm x 263mm
• Cover onto 170gsm Silk FSC Certified Wrapped over grey board case
• Gloss Lamination to outer
• 2x 4pp End Papers printed onto 170gsm Uncoated FSC Certified
• 32 inside pages onto 170gsm Silk FSC Certified  (9mm spine)
• Printed in full colour throughout
• Trimmed, collated and case bound 
• 32 pages  

The printer was very helpful, for instance I discussed my Tutor’s recommendation of only 85% black text to allow images to ‘pop’more. They advised to use 88% black.

When the proofs arrived, my brightening for print rather than screen was correct in most cases, though some image colours were not quite as seen on my screen. I revised those.

Exporting the files to PDF proved tricky but after some errors, establishing how to get the crop marks for the printers to show (the pdfs were needed as pages, not spreads) this was successful.

PDF print files sent to printer:

I did change the cover slightly the day before I approved the final proof copy, adding an image which I think does make the book cover more intriguing.

Cover:

Inner pages. Note: This File is large and takes a while to load

I ordered 5 copies for which the quote was £256 (as 1 copy was quoted as £228, and negotiated a £10 discount, however the proof prints cost me and additional £32. An expensive publication, but I hope of good quality and a laminated hardback that will take plenty of handling and trips to the woods.

When the books arrived I was disappointed with the quality of the inner pages. I compared to the paper swatches that they sent me and could tell it wasn’t printed on the 170gsm silk I had ordered, I thought it was 130gsm. I contacted the printer and they checked, it was actually printed on only 115 gsm. I also queried the cover quality as I’d ordered laminated; they insisted it was, but when I received the rectified copies, the cover was laminated and I could see the first run was not. They agreed to reprint at 170gsm, but this caused another week’s delay until I’d received the books in correct quality.

Once received I was very pleased with both the quality and the overall book.

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