Essentials of Book Production Course
Essentials of Book Production Course
Learn how books are manufactured and gain an understanding of the main issues and terminology used in book production.
The Essentials of Book Production Course is aimed at production staff and is also suitable for editors, sales or designers who need a better understanding of the manufacturing process. Each stage of the workflow is covered including colour, printing and binding, paper, pricing, and shipping.
There are a number of practical exercises throughout the day as well as visuals and physical samples – you will see what a printing plate looks like, what the inks are like in their raw state, and get to feel and compare the different paper types. You will cover the terminology used in book specifications and discuss the factors which affect the prices and schedules.
This course is an excellent all-round introduction to the production stages involved in the creation of a book and will help improve your day-to-day effectiveness, whatever your role within publishing.
Essentials of Book Production Course | Delivering The Course
We’re delighted that industry expert Nancy Roberts has chosen to deliver the Essentials of Book Production on behalf of Imago at our head office in Thame.
Nancy spent 20 years in the publishing sector working in print production and operations for companies including Quadrille, Kingfisher, Penguin/DK and Cambridge University Press, where she led a global team of over 150 staff as Global Operations Director, Academic.
She now has a portfolio career: she is the founder of Umbrella, a tech startup which uses data analytics, AI and machine learning to help businesses realise the benefits of a more diverse workforce, and she is also Head of Technology and Content at Maverick, providing specialist consultancy on production, technology and content to academic publishers and scholarly societies. She also co-runs Management In Publishing, providing bespoke management and leadership training and development tailored to the publishing industry. She has a PhD in Postcolonial Feminist Literary Theory and an Executive MBA from Cranfield University.
She is also a NED for Break the Mould and sits on various advisory boards, including We and AI, a non-profit aiming to inform the public about the risks and benefits of AI, and the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board of the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Essentials of Book Production | Course Details
Delivered in person by Nancy Roberts at Imago’s UK Offices in Thame, Oxfordshire.
Course Cost:
£445 ex. VAT. Discounts are available for multiple bookings. Please email training@imagogroup.com for more information.
Dates & Times Available
- Wednesday, 27th August
- 9:30am – 4.30pm
What our attendees say about the Training:
“The training was engaging and well-organized, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions. I found the sessions on colour theory and paper particularly insightful, helping me see how all the production stages fit together. The in-person format worked efficiently, making it easier to grasp the concepts with real examples.”
✅ Most useful topics: Colour theory and paper
✅ Recommendation: Very likely
“Very knowledgeable and engaging, professional and friendly. Nancy kept the content relevant and easy to follow. I found the sessions on paper, colour, and shipping particularly useful, as they deepened my understanding of key production elements. Working with real book specs, made a big difference. I now feel much more confident and efficient in my role. Plus, the in-person format was great, it kept us engaged, and having tangible examples was so helpful!”
✅ Most useful topics: Paper, colour, shipping, and book specifications
✅ Recommendation: Extremely likely
“The trainer was so knowledgeable and able to explain even the most complex topics in a clear way. The session on colour and images was incredibly relevant to my role, and I now feel so much more confident discussing production processes with printers and colleagues. I especially appreciated the ability to see and feel different materials in person. This training confirmed that a career in production is right for me!”
✅ Most useful topics: Colour, images, and production processes
✅ Recommendation: Extremely likely
Essentials Of Book Production – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need prior experience in book production?
A: No, this course is suitable for both beginners and those looking to deepen their knowledge.
Q: Will I get hands-on experience?
A: Yes! You’ll work with real book samples, proofs, and materials.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: Click the “Register Your Interest” button or contact us at training@imagogroup.com.
What We’ll Cover
Basics of Colour Reproduction
- CMYK and RGB
- Understanding the differences and issues
- Turning colour images into print
- Dots
- Vector & raster
- Image and print resolution
- Profiles
- Colour proofs
The Printing Process
- Understand the main processes and when best to use them
- Offset litho –what it is
- How a printing machine works
- Tracking
- Sheet and web printing
- Seeing ink, plates & blanket
- Digital & inkjet printing – how they work, quality and uses
Pre-press
- Preparing material for print
- Typical printer checks to PDF files
- Some typical problems & how to avoid them
- Imposition
- Plotter proofs
- Ripping and plates
The Binding Process
- Different binding styles and things to consider when specifying them
- Sewn, unsewn, paperback, cased, flex terminology
- Stages in the binding & casing in process
Co-edition Printing
- Understand the process
- What it means and what it affects
Book Specifications
- Understand the terminology
- Learn how to draw up a good clear specification and to recognise when things are missing
Covers and Jackets
- How to recognise the different finishes and materials
- When and how to use and spec them
- Imitation cloth
- Gloss & matt lamination
- Spot varnish
- Foil blocking etc.
Paper
- Main paper types and attributes
- Learn how to evaluate paper and how to choose the appropriate paper for your subject matter and price point
Shipping & Pricing
- Cartons
- Packing instructions
- Shipping documentation & terminology
- Incoterms
- Shipping timings
Register Your Interest
Please fill out the form below to find out more and book your space on the Essentials of Book Production course. A member of the team will be in touch with you to shortly discuss all details with you.
Testimonials
I feel I have a more in-depth understanding of a number of sections of my job, particularly to do with different types of printers and what they are best used for.
Production Manager
Box Clever Press
Really great, engaging, and knowledgeable. You could tell she was very passionate about the subject which made a big difference. She was clear, articulate, and very efficient.
Production Assistant
Harper Collins
She was very good! She knew basically everything and was also fun and engaging.
Rights Coordinator
Simon & Schuster
Nancy was engaging, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and a really effective teacher. She made everyone feel comfortable and provided a really informative course through both slides and practical exercises in small groups.
Publishing Assistant
Yale University Press
We would be delighted to welcome you onto our training course!
Our courses remain very popular, and spaces are limited to ensure the best learning experience for all attending. To avoid disappointment, we recommend registering your interest as soon as possible. Please do ask about discounts for multiple attendees too!
Don’t forget to check our other training courses!