The RSPB has produced the first entirely CTP issue of its flagship magazine, Birds.


The title is printed at Artisan in Leicester, which installed CreoScitex CTP kit at the end of last year. It uses Kodak Polychrome Graphics plates.


"Previously wed produced two covers CTP, but this was the first time for the whole thing," explained RSPB production manager Tim Norman. "We took a deep breath, but it was worth it."


The 112pp issue plus 4pp cover had a print run of 640,000. Pre-press was by the RSPBs in-house design unit and Artisan repro wing Cavalier Reproductions.


"You can really see a difference in quality, and well also be able to tighten our production schedule a lot in fact we were making text changes the day it went to press. Its also important for the RSPB as an organisation because we are so green and efficient," Norman added.


Birds is the first major publication printed by Artisan that has moved entirely to CTP.


Artisan sales executive Amanda Smith said: "We sent a mailing to the RSPBs advertisers explaining the process and how they should supply their data, which worked well. The design and photography of the magazine is spot on, and the results are amazing were overjoyed with it."