To mark the centenary of the British Secret Intelligence Service, artist James Hart Dyke was given access to the organisation to produce a series of images portraying the work of MI6.
As well as 2,500 60-page A4 brochures, Optichrome also produced a limited run of 350 of each of Dyke's eight favourite shots. An exhibition of the artwork is currently running, from 15-26 February, at Mount Street Galleries in Mayfair.
Optichrome managing director John Heywood said: "Our staff have been so in to this, it has been really exciting for them. We have MI6 on site regularly throughout the process. It is an honour to have been selected to carry out this work."
None of the material in the exhibition reveals any sensitive information about MI6 or its work and every painting has been through a series of security screens.
The cover was produced on GF Smith brilliant white 350gsm colorplan paper, while the text was produced on EBB Satimat silk 230gsm sheets using five colours and spot coating.
As well as maintaining the utmost secrecy, the company also had to source a green ink that is always and only used by C, the chief of MI6.
Heywood said: "The green was used for C's forward page and signature. Apparently it's a tradition that C and only C always writes and signs in green ink."
