Coffee Table Books
A coffee table book is a different job from a book. It is large format, image-led, printed on heavy art paper, and the object itself has to feel considerable — which puts the weight of the work on photography, layout, paper and binding rather than on text.
What makes one work
Image quality first. A coffee table book is looked at rather than read, so a weak photograph is far more damaging here than a weak paragraph would be in a novel. If the photography does not exist yet, that is where the budget should start.
Then paper and binding. Heavy coated art stock holds ink density and stops images showing through from the reverse. Section-sewn binding lets a spread open genuinely flat, which matters when an image runs across the gutter.
What these are usually made for
Institutional and organisational histories. Temple, trust and heritage volumes. Company anniversary and milestone books. Artist, craft and architecture monographs. City and travel photography volumes. Family and commemorative editions.
Working with us on one
We can take this from a folder of photographs and a rough idea through to bound copies: photography where it is needed, sequencing and layout, typesetting, printing, binding and finishing. Because it is all in one place, an image that will not reproduce well is caught at layout rather than after printing.
Materials
- Heavy coated art paper130–170 gsm and above, for image density
- Hard case boardPrinted, cloth or leatherette covered
- Section-sewn bindingSo spreads open flat across the gutter
- Matt and gloss laminationCover protection and finish
- Foil blocking and embossingCover and spine detailing
- Slip cases and jacketsWhere the object should feel like a set piece
Applications
- Institutional and organisational histories
- Temple, trust and heritage volumes
- Company anniversary and milestone books
- Artist, craft and architecture monographs
- City, travel and documentary photography
- Family and commemorative editions
How the work is delivered
- Agree the format, extent and paper — these set the character before any layout begins.
- Photography, or curation and assessment of existing images for reproduction quality.
- Sequencing and layout, spread by spread.
- Typesetting and caption writing.
- Colour proofing on the actual stock, not on screen.
- Printing — offset for any meaningful quantity.
- Section-sewn binding, case making, foiling and lamination.
Frequently asked questions
What paper should a coffee table book be printed on?
Heavy coated art paper, generally 130 gsm and upward for text pages with heavier stock for the cover. It holds ink density on large images and stops show-through from the reverse — which is the most common thing that makes an otherwise good book feel cheap.
Why does binding matter so much for this kind of book?
Because images run across the spread. Section-sewn binding lets the book open genuinely flat, so an image crossing the gutter is not swallowed by the fold. Perfect binding is cheaper but does not open flat, and on a large-format image-led book that difference is immediately visible.
Can you handle the photography as well?
Yes. Photography, layout, printing and binding can all be handled here, which means an image that will not reproduce well gets caught at layout stage rather than after the run is printed.
Start a project
Tell us the site, the scale and the date it needs to be in place. We will tell you what is achievable and what it involves.