Shortlisted companies include Boss Print, Jardine Press, Hurtwood Press, Thames & Hudson, the Folio Society and Fleece Press. Boss Print is producing this year's awards publication.

The awards recognise and acknowledge the excellence and craftsmanship of the British book design and production industry.

“This year marks the biggest shortlist because the quality was really good,” said BPIF marketing director Amy Hutchinson.

“We had high numbers of entries and what's really heartening is that the number of student entries has remained consistently strong, with around 60 this year.”

She added: “These awards are unique. It is the only book prize where no one reads a single word. Judges feel the books, pull them apart, smell them and take in design, binding and images.”

Hutchinson said the book awards are crucial for helping small and large printers and publishers flag up their professionalism and creativity.

Books are far from dead, she insisted, citing figures released by the Publishers Association in July that showed UK publishing enjoying a record-breaking year in 2017, with income up 5% to £5.7bn.

A panel of four judges from design, publishing and production spent two days at Oxford Brookes University whittling down entrants for each category.

Winners will be announced on 22 November at a ceremony at the Montcalm London Marble Arch Hotel. As well as category winners, one book will be crowned ‘Book of the Year’.

Sponsors include Boss Print, Canon, Denmaur, Fedrigoni, Friedheim International, HP, IFS, Muller Martini, The Printing Charity, Winter & Co and media partners BookMachine, Oxford Brookes University, The Bookseller and The Publishers Association.

Individual tickets and package tickets for a table of 10 are available, with the price including a drinks reception, a three-course meal and entertainment. To view the full shortlist and book tickets, visit: www.britishbookawards.org.