Is there any better feeling for a designer
Once a year — twice if I'm lucky — I get to step away from my monitor and witness the magic of seeing something I've spent months working on come to life.
A meandering drive through the Garden of England and across Ashdown Forest eventually brings you to an industrial estate on the outskirts of Uckfield, home to Pureprint. I've had the pleasure of working with the team there for many years, alongside my trusted collaborator and all-round print and paper guru, James Samson.
I've visited plenty of times to oversee brochures and other print projects, but my last two trips have been for something particularly special: a coffee table book for Dutch shipyard Oceanco.
No matter how many pairs of eyes have checked the proofs, there's always that nagging feeling that something might have been missed. Then the first sheets roll off the press and the excitement starts to build. Suddenly, images and layouts you've laboured over for months are appearing in all their glory on beautiful paper stock, and any concerns about colour choices, finishes or that all-important fifth colour begin to disappear.
Suddenly, images and layouts you've laboured over for months are appearing in all their glory on beautiful paper stock, and any concerns about colour choices, finishes or that all-important fifth colour begin to disappear.
For a designer, and for clients who understand the value of a beautifully crafted printed book, it's one of the most rewarding parts of the entire process. At this stage you don't yet have the finished product in your hands, but you can already see that all the critical elements are working exactly as intended.
I only wish I could spend more time there. Walking around the presses, watching the production process unfold and seeing the craftsmanship involved feels a little like Charlie stepping inside the Wonka factory for the first time.
