Premium Book Printing | Re:claimed Case Study | Imago Group
Premium Book Printing: Re:claimed Case Study
Re:claimed is a strong example of premium coffee table book printing where material choice and production techniques play a central role in the final result.
Produced for Re:claimed Flooring Company, the book is celebrating wood, one of nature’s most beautiful materials. The challenge was clear: create a physical object that reflects the same values as the content itself.
Premium Book Printing | Special Finishes
The main content was printed 4/4 on 180gsm uncoated FSC™ paper.
It’s a heavier stock than you might normally see, but it works well at this format. It gives the pages more presence and keeps the finish soft, which suits the subject matter.
Printing on uncoated paper at this weight isn’t the easiest, especially when you want to retain detail and depth in the imagery. It becomes a question of balance rather than pushing ink too far.
Consistency in colour and ink behaviour across a thicker uncoated sheet required precise press calibration, particularly on a short run.
There are 24 pages using three different uncoated stocks:
- a dark brown sheet
- a black artcard
- a creamy white stock
Each one is debossed with a different custom wood grain pattern.
They’re placed throughout the book rather than grouped together, so you come across them naturally as you move through the pages.
Mixing stocks added complexity and challenge to the project, especially when it comes to keeping everything aligned and consistent during binding.
The cover follows the same thinking.
It’s made using a dark brown SVEPA PU Skiver, a thermo-reactive material. When heat is applied during debossing, it creates a subtle colour shift in the surface, adding depth without relying on contrast.
The title is kept simple with a matt white foil.
The whole case, including the spine, is debossed with a custom wood structure, so the texture becomes the main feature.
The endpapers continue the story, using a dark brown stock with debossing and copper foil representing the Re:claimed identity, subtly referencing the brand throughout.
The binding of this book is section sewn with dark brown thread, which gives it strength and allows it to open comfortably.
It’s finished with 3.0 mm boards and a square back spine, so it feels solid without being overbuilt.
The head and tail bands are matched in dark brown, just to keep everything consistent without drawing attention to it.
Project Overview
The content, curated by Robert Henry, is informed by decades of experience working with reclaimed timber. That depth of knowledge played a key role in shaping how the book was produced.
Rather than trying to over-design or add unnecessary complexity, the intention was to let the materials speak for themselves. The result is a book that feels restrained, tactile, and closely connected to its subject where the design decisions quietly support the content rather than compete with it.
Why Work with Imago Group?
We make complex book projects feel effortless, turning creative visions into editions that are as memorable to hold as they are to read. Every detail, finish, and insert is managed with care to ensure a high-quality result.
Project Specifications
Format
324 x 229 mm – 160 pages including 24pp inserts
Main Paper Type
180gsm uncoated FSC™
Cover Design
SVEPA PU Skiver, full deboss, matt white foil
Binding
Section sewn, square back, 3.0 mm boards
Printing
4/4 colour
Extras
Mixed uncoated stocks with full-bleed debossing
Start your project
At Imago Group, we work closely with clients to bring premium book printing to life especially when projects involve specialist materials, unusual finishes, or multiple production techniques.
If you’re planning something similar and want to explore how different materials and finishes could work together, we’d be happy to help guide the process and make sure everything comes together smoothly.
Get in touch with our team to talk through your next project.