The channel’s latest venture, Intermission, a 40-page mailed glossy, launched in the spring and has just posted its sixth issue, winning a dedicated following among British fans of film and TV history.
What was produced?
The magazine is slim, but filled with features taking readers behind the scenes and investigating lost classics. Printed by Vale Press for design agency Panacea Creative, the A4 portrait title is printed on 100gsm Essential Silk from Premier Paper in CMYK, saddle-stitched with self-covers, and sent out to subscribers.
What did the job entail?
Once Vale Press receives the files from Panacea, it is plated on a Kodak Trendsetter and run by press operatives Craig Bone and Paul Marley-Boltrum either through a B2 Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 or CX 75 UV B2 press before stitching on a Duplo DBM-600 or Horizon SPF-40 Stitchliner III.
“The XL is more suited to the run length but UV is great since the sheets come off dry – so ideal for fast turnarounds,” said James Algar, marketing and business development director for Vale.
“To be fair, this is one of the easier runs we do,” said Bone.
“It’s five eight-page sections, 40 plates – on and off, done! It will be even better in a few months when we get our new SRA1 [RMGT] press – it will halve production time.”
What challenges were overcome?
While the printing is straightforward, the pressures of launching and maintaining a viable print magazine in 2024 are not so.
For Intermission, the mission is keeping weight – and mailing costs – low.
“We work with the customer to limit the number of pages, balancing that with the thickness of the paper – in an ideal world, we’d use a thicker stock. But we’re driven by the cost to mail,” explained Algar.
What was the feedback?
Six issues in, the monthly has now carved out a following of loyal subscribers, with a growing readership each issue.
Talking Pictures TV MD Sarah Cronin-Stanley said Vale Press’ work had been spotless.
“I’ve never had a print magazine before, but it’s great – the paper, feel of the magazine and artwork – it’s very high quality work.”
Do you have a Killer App? We are interested in special, difficult or simply fabulous print jobs of all shapes and sizes. Email printweek.newsdesk@markallengroup.com.
