Park Communications carried out the job for free at the end of January and its first professionally printed issue, issue eight, was distributed in February. The next two issues are yet to be rolled out but Park has already agreed to print a further three issues in the summer.
The project was initially being self-printed by Emma founder Brian Baderman, who was then recommended to Park by another of Park’s clients, Riposte magazine.
The magazines are edited by Baderman and showcase artwork, illustrations, articles and poems that explore a range of issues related to the difficulty of being homeless. Inspired by the Times Square scheme, Arlington, which is in Camden, London, has 95 residential rooms available for homeless and vulnerable adults.
Managing director Alison Branch said the print job very much fitted in with the Park ethos of "supporting the community and the environment".
“What I loved about the magazine was that the imagery is very powerful and it really hits you. We have them on our marketing stands when we go out because they are lovely pieces of work.
“It was also about how print could help people who are homeless and in some cases have mental illness. The therapy that contributed to this allowed them an outlet but also gave them a feeling of self-worth that they were actually contributing something. They really are beautiful pieces and pieces with which they can be truly proud.”
The 250-run of each 420x297mm issue was printed using Park’s 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 102, finished on a Muller Martini Bravo saddle-stitcher and an MBO folder. The paper, which was donated by paper merchant Elliot Baxter (EBB), was 90gsm Horizon Offset.
Baderman launched the magazine around a year ago when he first started speaking to residents at Arlington and realised “they had a lot of interesting stories and stuff they needed to share”.
“I thought a magazine would be a great opportunity for them to share aspects of their experience creativity and so really felt it was more of a challenge than an altruistic thing. It has enormous therapeutic value and really does help give people back a sense of meaning to their lives and that is intrinsic to the publication,” said Baderman.
The magazine is currently given away for free but with the quality of print vastly improving, Baderman has recently floated the idea of introducing a cover price.
Last month, 130-staff Park, which employs four apprentices, scooped four awards at the inaugural Apprenticeship Awards, London, including two for apprentice Charlie Pennington and two recognising Park as an employer.
“We were delighted. We let customers know and they were thrilled and congratulations came back to Charlie. The industry needs to bring in young talent because a lot of people are leaving," said Branch.
£13m-turnover Park had a hefty investment year last year, upgrading its finishing facilities with the purchase of lay-flat binding equipment and a Horizon BQ-470 binder.
