Illustrated Choice - the art world of short run digital books

Ideal for short runs of books requiring superior photographic reproduction

Illustrated Choice gives publishers the opportunity to print litho quality, short run highly illustrated books at a unit cost which is more commonly associated with much longer print runs.

This high-end digital printing service is perfectly suited for runs lengths between 100 and 500 copies for both paperbacks and hardbacks up to A4 in size.


Using one of our Xerox iGen 2400dpi digital presses we can guarantee you will be stunned at the quality that we can achieve.

This service is ideally suited to books where quality of halftone reproduction is paramount including:

  •     Directories and school yearbooks
  •     Art books
  •     Photography books
  •     Local history books
  •     Cookery books
  •     Sports books
  •     Comics, Anime and Manga books
  •     Children's books

Always a very popular service please allow at least four weeks manufacturing time

Click here to get an instant estimate for Illustrated Choice or call us on 01553 764728 to run through your project specification. We are always happy talk to you to advise on the most economic production route.

Publishers who are looking to produce superior marketing copies prior to publication or to economically reprint backlist titles will also benefit from this service. So instead of 'Hobson's Choice' when it comes to printing your high quality illustrated products, you have now Illustrated Choice!

If you have a project that you think would be suitable for production on our iGen and would like to find out more information then please complete our enquiry form or ring us on 01553 764728.

Digital or Litho - which is the right production route for me?

Although we have an enviable reputation in the market-place for the high quality of books that we produce on our top of the range colour digital printing presses – almost comparable to litho printed books – digitally printed books will have a different look and feel to what you might expect from colour litho book printing. We are always happy to advise you on the best technology for your book and to send printed sample books before the start of your project to ensure that we will meet your expectations of the finished article. If you would like to be sent a digitally printed Illustrated Choice sample book then please complete our enquiry form.

Books with doube page spreads

Please note that due to a small white margin that we need to allow for binding purposes in the centre of the book this service is not ideally suited to books where the images go across a double page spread. If you have a project with this kind of content then please contact us.

Colour space

Please note that Illustrated Choice titles are printed in CMYK colour space so we advise that all files are set up in this colour space to avoid colour variation that may occur if we have to automatically convert the files from RGB to CMYK.

Recommended by:

"I've been trying to break into Borders for seven years, endless pitches to so many people, and never got a single book in to stores. I sent a set of hardbacks to them earlier this week and was contacted at 8.50 a.m. the next day to say they'd take the lot. I can't think of a better recommendation. Quality counts. Thanks to everyone at MPG Biddles for the super books."
 
"I've tried other digital printers in the past but none matches up to MPG Biddles for price, quality and efficiency of service. The books look every bit as good as far more expensively produced titles: fine paper, solid spines, great cover-art reproduction. In short, the works! "
 
"I want to say thank you very much for the completion of Dragon Rampant. The whole ‘MPG Biddles Experience’ for me has been superb and the level of service absolutely first class.

I am very pleased with the book and now we have a quality product that meets our original expectations 100%. As a first time customer with you I have been most impressed with your approach to customer care and the project management that resulted in Dragon Rampant being available in time for us to take advantage of the summer air shows and associated events.

We will certainly be doing business again. Thank you all once more.
"

Quick links

Illustrated Choice at a glance:

Press:
Xerox iGen3

Styles:
Paperback
Hardback

Formats:
198x129mm up to 297x210mm (A4) portrait
Landscape formats not available

Page extents:
Minimum 40 pages
Maximum around 608 pages depending on the paper (we will be happy to advise)

Papers:
Matt Coated 115gsm
Matt Coated 130gsm
Matt Coated 150gsm
Matt Coated 170gsm
We do not advise using less than 150gsm paper for a landscape book

Finishing options:
Matt or gloss lamination
Perfect binding PUR as standard
Dust jackets*
Printed paper cases*
Coloured end papers*
Printed end papers*
Foil stamping on spine and/or front*
Head and tail bands*
Ribbon markers*
* hardbacks only

Order quantities:
Minimum 100 copies
Maximum 500 copies

PUR binding explained


PUR (polyurethane reactive) glue is the most durable binding glue available, offering design flexibility for any number of applications, including catalogues, instruction manuals and art books. PUR adhesives differ from conventional EVA hot melts in that they cure by crosslinking via a chemical reaction with moisture contained in the paper stock or surrounding air. Once cured, the adhesive's higher molecular weight provides a tough, pliable bond that is resistant to temperature extremes. The page pull strength of a PUR-bound book is more than 2.5 times that of a standard perfect-bound book using EVA adhesive.