Few printers specialize in printing art books and reproduction. I’ve researched, vetted, and compiled a list of 85 printers via Airtable.

When looking for printers, I’ll start with a clear vision of a final book. Ideally, I’ll have a mock-up or image references (see board example). Format and paper stock? Hard or soft cover? Number of pages and color? Finishes? And # of copies? At the end of the day, printers will factor in all your input and create what you had in mind. Luckily, I’ve worked with some of the best printers out there, mostly overseas. I’ll explore printing methods, color experimentations, formats, bindings, and finishes.

Environnement.

Typically, printers keep a variety of equipment under one roof. Offset and digital printing are usually offered as services. However, due to the balance of higher quality and output cost, printing must specialize in at least two methods to serve artists and institutions. Litho printing, screen printing, letterpress, foil stamping, embossing, binding machinery, and hand finishes are considered added-value options. Often, these options for added value are outsourced. Nevertheless, some printers have made added-value printing a standard service as part of their expertise. Imprimerie du Marais is one of them. As a publisher, I consistently seek a few key skill sets to choose from. I select their service offerings based on specialization and binding capabilities.

Now for the fun part…. Based in Kyoto, Sun M Color has built a strong reputation for high-quality book production and art reproduction for museums and institutions. Sun M Color has pioneered a new printing methodology that has pushed the limits of color production. For instance, Graset FM® reproduces the texture of photogravure through offset printing. Ultra High-Density Offset Printing achieves enhanced definition and color vividness, surpassing the capabilities of ordinary offset printing and fully capturing an image's original allure. Craftsmanship lies at the heart of Sun M Color's mission. Below are Sun M Color's key skill sets:

• Ultra High-Density Offset Printing: (Printing 8K)® This technique achieves definition and color vividness, surpassing the capabilities of ordinary offset printing, and fully capturing the original allure of an image.
• Graset FM® reproduces the texture of photogravure through offset printing.
• UV inkjet printing
• Water-based pigment inkjet printing
• Gigapixel Art Scanner
• 3D capture

Project library Link

Binding Library link

Foil stamping library

Bookcases library link 

Materials library link

Finishes Endpaper library link

Hand Finishes Library link

Color Experimentation library link