PRINTING & PRODUCTION
Our goal is to ensure that every project is produced with consistency, reliability, and the highest possible quality standards.
One of the most important factors in achieving a strong final result is the correct selection of materials. Paper type, coating, weight, and finishing techniques all influence how colors reproduce, how the product feels in hand, and how durable the final piece will be.
Through our production network, we are able to handle a wide range of printed materials, from books and art publications to graphic projects, catalogs, and specialized printed products.
Each project is evaluated individually to determine the most appropriate printing methods, materials, and finishing options.
An important part of this process is understanding how different printing machines behave. Every press has its own characteristics in terms of color reproduction, contrast, ink density, and material handling. Because of this, file preparation and technical optimization play a critical role in achieving the best possible result.
By preparing and adjusting files with the production environment in mind, we are able to optimize the material to take full advantage of the printing systems used during production. This allows us to better anticipate how colors, details, and contrast will appear once the project is physically printed.
Projects may also include additional printed items or campaign related merchandise. This is particularly common for crowdfunding campaigns, special editions, or bundled releases. When planned in advance, such items can be produced alongside the main project and incorporated into the overall production budget. However, these elements must be discussed and agreed upon early in the planning process so they can be properly integrated into the production schedule.
BlueNorth focuses on medium to large production runs designed for professional publishing and large-scale projects. For this reason, we do not handle print runs below 2,000 copies.
Production timelines can vary depending on the specifications of each project, including materials, finishing options, and binding methods. As a reference, a standard production run of approximately 2,000 copies can typically be completed in around 20 days.
BlueNorth works with a variety of professional-grade paper options commonly used in publishing and high-quality print production, including:
Coated papers (Gloss, Silk and Matte)
commonly used for projects that require vibrant colors and strong image reproduction.
Uncoated papers
often used for text heavy publications or projects that require a more natural reading experience.
Premium art papers
designed for art books, photography projects, and high-end publications.
High-opacity papers
ideal for long reading projects where preventing show-through between pages is important.
Book papers (Cream or Natural)
commonly used for novels, long reading publications, and projects designed for comfortable reading over many pages.
Paper weights can vary depending on the purpose of the project.
Interior pages
80gsm – 170gsm
offset or coated papers
Covers
250gsm - 350gsm
usually coated stock
Hardcover boards
2mm – 3mm
boards wrapped with printed paper
Cover Materials and Finishes
• Softcover coated stocks
• Hardcover boards
• Laminated covers
• Textured cover materials
Finishing options can elevate the perceived quality of a printed project
BlueNorth supports a wide range of professional finishing techniques, including
Soft-touch lamination
Matte or gloss lamination
Spot UV coating
Embossing and debossing
Foil stamping
Protective coatings and specialty finishes
Binding methods are also carefully selected based on the type of publication and intended durability. Common options include:
perfect binding
hardcover binding
saddle stitching
sewn binding
Throughout the production process, BlueNorth oversees material selection, print preparation, proof evaluation, and production coordination to ensure the final result matches the expectations defined during the planning stage.
If you would like to explore the printing and production process in more detail, we have included some articles from our blog below covering key topics related to professional print production.
How to Reduce Printing Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
How to Choose the Right Paper for Your Book
