Photochromic Ink Book | Visionaire 56 Solar | Imago Group Case Study
Photochromic Ink Book Project | Visionaire 56 Solar | Calvin Klein Collection
Imago Group were thrilled to be part of the production of one of the most technically ambitious art publications ever created, Visionaire 56 Solar, a limited edition artist’s book that quite literally comes to life in sunlight.
We have produced thousands of special edition books for global clients over the years, and projects like Visionaire 56 Solar represent the very pinnacle of what print can achieve when creative vision and technical expertise come together. Sponsored by Calvin Klein Collection, this issue of Visionaire pushed the boundaries of ink technology to deliver a reading experience unlike any other.
The Concept
Visionaire 56 Solar was conceived as a celebration of summer: of light, warmth, and the vibrance that comes with the season. The entire publication was designed around a single, extraordinary idea: that the book would reveal itself only under the sun.
Inside a sleek, all-white slipcase case resides an all-white board-bound book. At first glance, the issue appeared to be a study in monochrome, the cover featuring an all-white embroidered bird by photographer Roe Ethridge. Viewed indoors or under artificial light, the interior artworks appeared entirely in black and white. Step outside into direct sunlight, however, and everything changes.
The Technology: Photochromic Inks
The breakthrough at the heart of this project was the use of photochromic, UV-reactive inks, colour-changing inks that respond to ultraviolet light. Each artwork in the book was printed using these specialist inks, meaning the images were effectively encoded with a hidden layer of colour that only sunlight could unlock.
When exposed to direct UV rays, the artworks bloomed into full, vivid colour, transforming the entire publication in real time. Move back indoors, and the colour slowly retreats, leaving the crisp black and white imagery once again. This push and pull between two entirely different visual states made every encounter with the book a genuinely interactive experience.
Working with photochromic inks at this level of quality and consistency presents significant production challenges. The inks must be applied precisely and evenly across the page to ensure that the colour payoff under UV light is uniform and true to the original artwork. Imago worked closely with specialist printers to ensure the technical requirements of each ink layer were met without compromising the stark elegance of the black-and-white base printing.
Watch Our Video
Watch our video for an in-depth look at this beautiful limited edition handbound book.
The Artworks
Visionaire 56 Solar featured original commissions from some of the world’s most celebrated image-makers, each of whose work was reproduced using the photochromic ink process:
- Alex Katz – whose bold, flat representations of figures translated beautifully into the UV reveal format
- Peter Lindbergh – the legendary fashion photographer, whose signature monochrome aesthetic made the colour transformation all the more striking
- Ryan McGinley – known for his vivid, exuberant photography of youth and nature
- David Sims – the acclaimed fashion photographer, whose editorial precision lent itself to the all-white concealment of the book’s indoor state
The Case and Binding
The production of these limited edition books includes the printing of high-resolution scans of original artwork.
The production design was as considered as the ink technology itself. The all-white, board book style book was encased in a precision-engineered, all-white slipcase a format that immediately signals the collectible, limited-edition nature of the object. The clean, minimal exterior gave no hint of the vibrant imagery waiting to be unlocked, making the act of taking the book outside into the sun a moment of revelation for every reader.
The all-white embroidered bird on the cover, created by Roe Ethridge, added a layer of tactile refinement to the exterior, a reminder that even the elements visible indoors had been crafted with the same level of care and intention as the hidden colour within.
High-Quality Production
For productions involving specialist inks and complex finishing of this nature, Imago works with a carefully selected network of trusted print suppliers who have the capability and experience to handle breakthrough processes. The photochromic ink application required precise layering and controlled drying conditions to ensure consistent UV reactivity across every copy of the edition.
Every Imago production complies with our robust ethical and sustainable printing standards, alongside international and local regulatory requirements. We work closely with our clients to ensure they are fully informed of the material and process choices available at every stage of production.
If you are looking to produce a limited edition book or product, reach out to the team at Imago today and we will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your project in more detail.
Project Specifications
Format
Board book style binding, large format
Dimensions
10 × 12 in (254 × 305 mm)
Ink Type
Photochromic plastisol (UV-reactive)
Case
All-white clamshell, light-sensitive material
Cover
White embroidered bird by Roe Ethridge
Pages
28pp, fully board-bound
Start your project
Imago would be delighted to work with you on your next print project. Get in touch with the team to discuss your ideas, no matter how out of the box they might seem!