The company's Croydon site produced a commemorative book, a line-by-line depiction of Wilfred Owen’s 'Dulce et Decorum est', to mark the centenary of the poet and WWI volunteer's death, for illustrator Martin Impey and production company Strauss House.

The run of 3,000 copies was printed on a six-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 press, running special vegetable-based inks, on silk stocks weights of 350 and 170gsm. Finishing techniques included soft-touch lamination, gold foil blocking and UV varnish.

Impey’s illustrations are intended to reflect the subject of the poem's text, exhausted young soldiers suffering a horrific gas attack, and the poet's caustic indictment of the jingoism of those who have not had to face the realities of war.

Working to a deadline of 10 working days, CPI carried out a number of tests with Impey to get the shape, size and finish of the book to the illustrator’s satisfaction. More than six different tests were carried out before printing went ahead.

CPI Colour sales manager Mark Shields said: “Martin and I always work closely together to achieve the best and most creative final product, he has great ideas and I help to make them work, without making things to expensive.

“We have worked with Martin and Strauss House for more than three years now and we have printed five books for him.

“At CPI we do a variety of work including many types and styles of books. Working with Martin and Strauss House the WWI-based titles are a fantastic and interesting topic to be involved in.”

The book was completed ahead of its launch on 4 November, marking 100 years since Owen was killed in action just one week before the signing of the Armistice. He was 25 years old and many of his poems were published posthumously.