Lookbook Printing
Showcase collections in style with high-quality lookbook printing designed to make every image stand out.
At 4edge, we professionally print lookbooks for fashion brands, designers, photographers, retailers, agencies and creative organisations. Choose from hardback, perfect bound or staple bound formats, with a wide range of sizes, paper stocks, cover options and finishes to present products, campaigns and creative work with a polished, professional feel.
With expert artwork support, cost-effective digital printing and reliable UK production, we make it easy to produce high-quality lookbooks for seasonal collections, portfolios, product launches, campaigns and presentations.
The Benefits of Online Lookbook Printing
Cost-effective digital printing
High-quality image reproduction
Expert artwork checking
Personal customer support
Printed in Hockley, Essex
Lookbook Specifications
Lookbook sizes
| Size | Width (mm) | Height (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| A6 | 105 | 148 |
| A5 | 148 | 210 |
| A4 | 210 | 297 |
| A3 | 297 | 420 |
| Novel | 127 | 203 |
| Standard | 132 | 197 |
| Demy | 138 | 216 |
| US Royal | 152 | 229 |
| Royal | 156 | 234 |
| Square | 210 | 210 |
- Custom sizes
Paper types
- Silk: 115-170 gsm
- Gloss: 115-170 gsm
- Uncoated: 70-170 gsm
- Offset: 80-120 gsm
- White Bookwove: 80 gsm
- Cream Bookwove: 70 gsm
Binding options
- Hardback / casebound
- Perfect bound (PUR)
- Staple bound / saddle stitched
Cover options
- Self cover
- 230 gsm cover stock
- 300 gsm cover stock
- 350 gsm cover stock
- Printed case covers
- Wibalin covers
- Faux leather covers
- Dust jackets
Finishes & Special Options
- Matt lamination
- Gloss lamination
- Soft-touch lamination
- Foil blocking
- Ribbon markers for hardback lookbooks
- Head and tail bands for hardback lookbooks
- Custom endpapers for hardback lookbooks
How to Print Your Lookbooks
The files you need to supply depend on the binding option you choose.
Staple bound lookbooks
Supply one print-ready PDF containing all pages in reading order as single pages, not spreads. The cover pages should be included in the same PDF and the total page count must be in multiples of four.
Perfect bound lookbooks
Please provide two print-ready PDF files:
- Cover PDF – outer and inner cover spreads, including the spine
- Inner pages PDF – all pages supplied in reading order as single pages, not spreads
The correct spine width depends on the number of pages and chosen paper stock. The 4edge team can confirm the required dimensions before you supply final artwork.
Do not provide the spine as a separate file.
Hardback lookbooks
Please provide two print-ready PDF files:
- Cover PDF – back cover, spine and front cover supplied as one continuous outer spread
- Inner pages PDF – all pages supplied in reading order as single pages, not spreads
The correct spine width depends on the number of pages and chosen paper stock. The 4edge team can confirm the required dimensions before you supply final artwork.
Do not provide the spine as a separate file.
Colour and image quality
For the best print results:
- Set artwork to CMYK colour
- Use images at 300 dpi
- Set black text to 100% black
- Convert greyscale artwork to greyscale before supplying it
RGB artwork can be converted to CMYK, but some colours may change during conversion.
Bleed and quiet areas
Where artwork runs to the edge of the page, add 3 mm bleed around the outer edges.
Keep important content at least 3 mm inside all trim edges.
Additional quiet areas are required for the following:
- Perfect bound lookbooks – 5 mm on the binding edge of inner pages
- Hardback lookbook inner pages – 8 mm on the binding edge
- Hardback lookbook covers – 8 mm around the finished cover edges, hinges and spine
Hardback covers also require 20 mm bleed around the outer edges and 5 mm hinges either side of the spine.
Keep text, captions, logos and important image details outside these areas.
Lamination
Where lamination is selected, it is applied to the outer cover surface.
Before Supplying Your Artwork
Please check that:
- The artwork matches the quoted finished size
- The correct file setup has been used for the chosen binding
- Inner pages are supplied as single pages in reading order
- Staple bound page counts are in multiples of four
- All fonts are embedded
- Images are supplied at suitable resolution
- Bleed and quiet areas have been included
- Any required blank pages are present
Please review your proof carefully before approving your lookbook for print.
Need help?
Call 01702 200243 to speak to the 4edge customer service team.
Email: admin@4edge.co.uk
Lookbook Printers in Essex
4edge provides professional lookbook printing for fashion brands, designers, photographers, retailers, agencies and creative organisations across the UK.
Based in Hockley, Essex, we print and finish lookbooks in the UK using digital production and a choice of hardback, perfect bound and staple bound formats. Our team can support your project from artwork preparation and proofing through to printing, finishing and delivery.
Print-ready files can be retained to make future reorders straightforward, whether you are producing a seasonal collection, campaign presentation, product portfolio or creative publication.
What binding options are available for lookbooks?
4edge offers hardback / casebound, perfect bound (PUR) and staple bound / saddle stitched lookbooks.
What size should a lookbook be?
A4 and A5 are popular choices for fashion, product and photography lookbooks, while square formats work well for more image-led layouts. The best size depends on your artwork and how the finished lookbook will be presented.
Can I choose a custom lookbook size?
Yes. 4edge can produce custom sizes by cutting down from standard industry sizes, such as A4, depending on your chosen specification.
What paper is best for a lookbook?
Silk and gloss papers are popular for lookbooks because they reproduce photography, products and colour clearly, while uncoated papers provide a softer, more natural finish.
Should I supply single pages or spreads?
Please supply inner pages as individual pages in reading order, not spreads. Perfect bound and hardback lookbooks require a separate cover PDF, while staple bound lookbooks are supplied as one print-ready PDF with the cover pages included in reading order.
How is the spine width calculated?
For perfect bound and hardback lookbooks, the spine width depends on the number of pages and the thickness of your chosen paper stock. The 4edge team can calculate the correct spine width and provide the dimensions needed for your cover artwork. Staple bound lookbooks do not require a spine.
Can photographs run to the edge of the page?
Yes. Where artwork runs to the edge, add 3 mm bleed around the outer edges. Hardback cover artwork requires 20 mm bleed to allow the printed cover to wrap around the case.
Do lookbook page counts need to be in multiples of four?
Staple bound lookbooks must have a page count in multiples of four. Depending on the specification, blank pages may also be required in perfect bound or hardback lookbooks to complete the final printed section.
Can I check my lookbook before printing?
Yes. Please review your proof carefully before production, checking image quality, colour, page order, captions, cover artwork and, where applicable, the spine.
Is VAT charged on printed lookbooks?
Printed lookbooks are normally zero-rated for VAT in the UK where they meet the relevant requirements.