Great Cookbooks printed by Interpress

The Art of Creating a Great Cookbook

There are countless cookbooks to choose from and we wanted to see what makes someone choose one from the many. The question here is, what makes a good cookbook really great?

We did some research and found some answers. Of course, the obvious is great recipes, but that’s not enough to make a book of good recipes into a great, sellable cookbook, there are specific components that can make a big difference.

Image from Ruby Slippers CookbookThe first item is to have great photographs which is essential. Colorful pictures of foods well prepared with beautiful garnishes are very inviting to any cook of any skill level. What we found is even better, is to have a picture of every recipe so that the finished dish can be compared to how it “should” look. This is an important feature that many readers want. If not pictures of each recipe, then as many as possible.Image from Ruby Slippers Cookbook

Having the picture on the same page, the page immediately before or after the recipe is the best positioning. Each image has a purpose and needs to be well placed.

The most important item that influenced customers is to have the ingredients and instructions on the same page. If this isn’t possible, they should be on pages facing each other so that each can easily be referenced. It can be frustrating to have to turn the page back and forth in order to find out if you need one teaspoon or half of something when you are already well into the recipe either measuring, cutting or peeling.

Sample of Wire-O binding

Here is a sample of Wire-O binding

Another important feature is to be able to open the book as flat as possible. This can be achieved by using the right kind of binding. Wire-O binding allows the book to lie completely flat, while sewn and hollow-spine could also be a good option.

Details like, pan size, how to prepare (should items be chopped or shredded), correct cooking temperature all add to the appreciation of the book.

A recipe and ingredient index are invaluable for quick referencing for what you need. Easy to find ingredients for many cooks is as important as the recipe. If you cannot find the items needed because it’s not available, it takes the joy out of cooking.

Some people like to know if there is a story behind the dish they are going to prepare, a history that creates something more than just a good recipe. Has it been passed down through generations or an accidental creation? We printed a beautiful, cookbook called “Ruby Slippers Cookbook – Life, Culture, Family & Food After Katrina” which has recipes that have been passed down through many generations and what the impact of Katrina had on the families still living in the New Orleans area.

Spaghetti ImageWe found that some cooks are looking for something new, different, exciting, something they may have never tried before and might take them to a far corner of the world. It may be a new flavor or a whole new method of cooking.

We have printed many cookbooks over the years and it is always enjoyable to work with authors whose passion is to share their secrets in cooking. Let us help you share your treasured recipes into book form as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to contact us to find out how and to turn your dream of having a book for future generations into reality.

 

 

 

DesignConcepts

A Treasured Resource for Practical Design

Unless you are an engineer, contractor or researcher, the subject of Post-Tensioned Buildings Design and Construction will be neither interesting nor understood- short a very technical subject. This is a book for a very targeted audience with numerous graphs and formulas that created a huge challenge for the book designers. Intermingled with text, images and architectural plans, the graphs and formulas needed to come together in a cohesive layout, ready for press, and it did, beautifully.

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The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Cheese

Published by: Kraft Food Holdings

Special Event booksSpecial Event books

How do you condense 50 years of some of the most creative and innovative products into a keepsake book that is manageable in size? This was the challenge for two senior Kraft employees to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Technology Center in Glenview, Illinois. Here’s how it went:

  • In 1998 Kraft Foods Inc. celebrates the 50th anniversary of the technology center with festivities. Two senior staff members, Ann Bucher and Miranda Miller, volunteer to prepare a display of some of the patents and inventions that were born from the Center.
  • They begin researching the archives and by interviewing some of the old time inventors and found that a display would only scratch the surface of the rich history of innovation and the idea for a book was launched.
  • This extensive research takes the next seven years to complete. A seasoned designer, Connie Scanlon of Bogfire Inc., is engaged to begin the process of collating, designing and laying out the book from the large amount of gathered material.
  • Connie Scanlon consults with InterPress staff for details of manufacturing. Paper weights and type, printing specifiKraft 4cs, case material, binding options and production lead time are all discussed in the initial consultation.
  • Kraft requests a budget quote from InterPress for a 650 page coffee table book.
  • After viewing a dummy sample book made by InterPress, Kraft and the designer decide that 650 pages is too thick a book and reduce the number of pages to 524 after additional editing is done.
  • InterPress begins the lengthy process of proofing using wet proofs, the most accurate proofing method. Printing of old, restored photos is a challenge for any printer and often the dpi is not adequate for sharp, clear reproduction. The production department at InterPress took up the challenge allowing for multiple rounds of proofs to ensure the excellent quality needed for this All-American keepsake.
  • InterPress staff help to formulate the final specifications including a round backed spine which will allow the book to open flat with the large book- Matching head and tail bands and a nice matte paper are chosen. Final copies will be individually shrink wrapped.
  • Wet proofs are done using a proofing press and sent to the designer for approval. Multiple rounds of proofs are submitted after color corrections are made by the designer. Read more

The Making of a Beautiful Photography book

GenesisWriting a book is no small task and writing a photographic coffee table book can be even more difficult. There are many factors that go into a coffee table book beginning with taking high quality photographs, writing the text, formatting both into an easy to read layout and finally create ready to print (CTP) files, all completed before a single book is printed. This particular project, was done as a tribute to the dying art of sloop and schooner building in the Grenadine island of Carriacou where this art is part of their history. There are two volumes both filled with beautiful photographs and paired in handsome slipcase.

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Big Colorful Books Are Still Popular

With all the technology available we are often asked why print?  Well there is a simple reason for that.  People still like to read and have the feeling of flipping through page after page.
Imagine what we would do without our favorite magazine, journal, calendar or coffee table book.

So here are 5 reasons why you should consider printing your travel book, journal or calendar:

1. Great conversation starter

Yes,  seeing the copy of a beautiful coffee table book will grab your guests attention.  You have to admit that you enjoy browsing through the picture books of your friends.

2. A book does not get lost in a bunch of computer files.

A book is ever present.  Images are beautiful and the content is interesting. There is something comforting seeing and touching a book, think about the Bible, which by the way is one of the top 10 most read books in the world.  Books are patient and wait until you pick them up.  It does not require any electricity nor special lighting.  It is, well, a book.

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