Behind the scenes: Printing a SKY VIP edition

A couple of months ago, we were told by The Reading Agency that Sky had selected The Most Important Animal of All as a Sky VIP giveaway as part of the Summer Reading Challenge. Sky members can sign-up for a free copy via the App to collect from libraries around the country. Needless to say, we were completely thrilled that the book was chosen, alongside another new science-based picture book The Planet in a Pickle Jar by Martin Stanev and published by Flying Eye Books. It’s brilliant of Sky to support both the Summer Reading Challenge and two new books by small independent publishers. Thank you, Sky!

Because the print run was high and the deadline was short, it gave us the perfect opportunity to print in the UK – usually not a viable option for us as a small publisher of full-colour books, which are expensive to produce.

We chose Severn Print, who have impressive environmental credentials, and, as ever, chose Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper - the highest standard for responsibly sourced paper. Severn are based in Gloucester, so last month I went to see the books on press. This was exciting as I usually don’t get the opportunity to do this.

When I arrived the covers had already been printed. They looked great with the Sky VIP and the Reading Agency message to readers on the back. The rest of the paper was stacked and ready for loading into the printer.

Then they set up the big litho press to run the interior pages (video below). Seven had already made the four aluminium sheets (called plates) that tell the printer which areas of the paper need to be cyan (blue), magenta (pink), yellow and black. These four colours, printed on top of one another, make up all the colours you see in the finished book. Below are examples (click the icons to see) – first cyan and black (CK), then cyan, magenta and black (CMK), then the four colours together (CMYK). And for those interested, web images only need to red, green and blue (RGB) as together they make black.

We’re delighted to have produced the book in such an environmentally responsible way with a UK printer (only 106 miles from printer to distributor), and to be involved in The Summer Reading Challenge and SKY giveaway.

THANK YOU SEVERN FOR AN ENJOYABLE DAY AND SKY/THE READING AGENCY FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN!