OUGD504 - Design for Print - Publication Printing: Details, Considerations and Cost

In advance of the Bond Street Brand Directory publication's printing, here I culminate the considerations regarding printing and the details required for the process to be a success.

Print Method: Digital Print
Colour Mode: CMYK
Resolution: 300ppi
Page Orientation: Landscape
Binding Method: Stab-stich (use facing Pages)
Paper Size: SRA3 (32cm x 45cm to accommodate 42cm page width)
Stock Colour: White
Stock gsm: 200gsm
Design Scale: H:18cm x W:42cm
Bleed: 3mm
Printer's Marks: Crop Marks
No. of Pages: 38
Print Finishing: Foiling (must use laser-printer)
Print Run: 1

Commercial Printing

If the publication were to be printed commercially, the printing process would differ considerably. While the amount of pages, printer's marks, stock orientation, weight and colour would remain the same - the method of printing itself would not.

Firstly, the publication would be printed using offset printing technology. This process uses plates, usually made from aluminum, which are used to transfer an image onto a rubber 'blanket,' and then that image is rolled onto a sheet of paper. It's called offset because the ink is not transferred directly onto the paper. Offset printing is the best choice when larger quantities are needed, and provides accurate color reproduction, and crisp, clean professional looking printing. 

Advantages of Offset Printing:

• Large quantities can be printed cost effectively.
• The more you print, the cheaper the price per publication.
• A large variety of paper types with custom finishes can be used.
• Special custom inks such as metallic and Pantone colours are available.
• Highest possible printing quality, with greater detail and colour fidelity.

This printing method would provide the publication with the highest quality print result - required in creating something luxury to be desired by the high-class target and clientele of Bond Street.

Costs

Though I myself will only producing one edition of the publication, commercially - as a luxury book needing to appeal to the wealthy high-class clientele of Bond Street - a limited print run of say 200 books would be carried out. While anything up to 500 copies still constitutes as a limited print run, the target are looking for products of exclusivity which enhance their attraction and the publication's appeal; The elite of London and beyond are always in search of what others do not own. This means the offset printing process would be appropriate to the project commercially as it would be more cost effective as the more copies printed, the cheaper the job. 

Also with offset printing, finishes (foiling) can be produced much cheaper with larger print runs and therefore would achieve greater results for appropriate pricing.