British printers make a return in the book printing market.
The organisers once had to add a Best British Book category to the annual book production awards just to ensure that at least one British printer would win something. The category remains, though the fear of a whitewash has become redundant.
In 2016 British printers have won in half the awards presented and been highly commended in many more. British book printing, once a litany of closures, has proved its resilience just as printed books have proved their resilience.
For both printers and the product production quality has been the key. The feel of a printed book is improved with embossing, foiling, choice of papers and quality of binding adding to the heft of a book to the reader. Those who forecast that the portability of an e-reader, the ability to look up words and so on, must sweep away the archaic physical information carrier have been proved wrong. The e-reader has its place, but this is second to to the printed edition.
There is no room for any complacency, however. Digital media will return, modified and attuned to a younger generation that has grown up in this digital age. Books that go beyond the device and become their own brand are suited to digital presentation.
Print is not safe, but production values are proving that the quality of print can fight off the challenge of digital. Print has won a battle, not yet the war.
A good book takes on the tablet
British printers make a return in the book printing market.
The organisers once had to add a Best British Book category to the annual book production awards just to ensure that at least one British printer would win something. The category remains, though the fear of a whitewash has become redundant.
In 2016 British printers have won in half the awards presented and been highly commended in many more. British book printing, once a litany of closures, has proved its resilience just as printed books have proved their resilience.
For both printers and the product production quality has been the key. The feel of a printed book is improved with embossing, foiling, choice of papers and quality of binding adding to the heft of a book to the reader. Those who forecast that the portability of an e-reader, the ability to look up words and so on, must sweep away the archaic physical information carrier have been proved wrong. The e-reader has its place, but this is second to to the printed edition.
There is no room for any complacency, however. Digital media will return, modified and attuned to a younger generation that has grown up in this digital age. Books that go beyond the device and become their own brand are suited to digital presentation.
Print is not safe, but production values are proving that the quality of print can fight off the challenge of digital. Print has won a battle, not yet the war.
Gareth Ward
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