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BIC’s Making and Managing Monochrome Books
May 9 @ 9:30 am - May 10 @ 5:30 pm BST
Created by the book industry, for the book industry
For an empowered, informed supply chain
Established in 1991, BIC is an independent, not-for-profit organisation at the heart of the book industry. We pride ourselves on working collaboratively with key stakeholders in the UK book industry to produce quality training courses that are created and delivered by expert, highly respected trainers on a wide range of supply chain topics. Being a not-for-profit organisation, BIC is able to offer all of its training at highly competitive rates. If there is a topic that you would like us to provide training on, that we do not provide at present, get in touch; we also welcome enquires about the provision of bespoke in-house courses.
All BIC Production courses are designed in conjunction with a panel of Production Directors from leading publishing houses to ensure that they focus on what you need to know. Each course contains a formal assessment recognised by many of the UK’s publishing houses.
BIC’s Making and Managing Monochrome Books Course
Course Structure
This two-day course can be taken as one comprehensive programme across both days, or you can join us for just one of the days. Each day stands alone, the first focuses on the process, how monochrome books are made and the second on managing that process. No matter where you are in your production career, there is something here for you.
Purpose of the Course
BIC’s commitment to a sustainable book industry is reflected in our training where sustainability, ethical and environmental considerations are front and centre. On this course we look at the production methods, materials and processes involved in the creation of monochrome books, giving you practical, up-to-date information on their environmental impact, helping you make informed, ethical, sustainable and practical decisions.
Benefits of Attending
All our courses focus on the practical application of knowledge and this one is no exception. You will spend time in the press-room and bindery, seeing first hand how books are produced and learning how to apply this knowledge in your day-to-day role.
This course will provide delegates with the tools to be proactive in their role, better express their requirements, choose the right supplier for their project, and solve or even prevent problems.
As the factory can be very noisy and to ensure our attendees get the most out of the day, we limit the number of delegates for this course to 6.
Course Level
The course is aimed at those new to mono production, those who have learnt ‘on the job’ and those that are ready for the ‘next step’ and would like a deeper understanding of how to manage the manufacture of monochrome books.
Course Outline
Day One: Making Monochrome Books
- The components of a book
- Things to think about when requesting a cost and placing an order
- How to prepare files for press
- The fundamentals of litho text printing
- The essentials of digital printing
- When to use litho or digital printing
- How covers are printed and finished
- How books are bound
- How special editions are produced
Day Two: Managing Monochrome
- An overview of the market
- What can you control/adjust on press
- How to spot a printing error and what may have caused it
- What to consider when designing a cover
- How to get the best out of cover finishes
- Colour management
- The advantages and limitations of the different digital technologies
- How to choose the right binding method
- The pros and cons of buying your own paper
- How to calculate paper usage
- How to spot a paper problem
- How to manage the costs of your project
- How to make your books more sustainably
- Understanding auto stock replenishment (ASR)
- Managing zero inventory and print on demand
Please email info@bic.org.uk for a copy of the course outline.
The Trainer
Heather O’Connell Consultant
Heather has more than 20 years’ experience in book publishing. Specialising in book production, she has held various positions including Production Director for Penguin UK and HarperCollins Publishers. Heather now runs a consultancy, using her passion for and knowledge of the industry to support a broad range of print and publishing clients and industry initiatives.
Feedback for this Course
“This course gave me an in-depth understanding of monochrome printing, and although I had some prior experience, the course has provided me with an incredibly detailed knowledge of every single step of the process; I feel a lot more confident managing monochrome books from start to finish”. Overall rating 5 out of 5.
Production and Inventory Controller, Hay House Publishers.
Date & Frequency of this Course in 2024
Thursday 9th and Friday 10th May 2024. This course will run once in 2024. The course begins promptly at 9.30am each morning.
Bespoke and In-House Training
BIC is committed to providing high quality, accessible training for the book industry. We are able to provide both bespoke courses and in-house training to suit your requirements. This course is suitable for in-house training so please do contact us to request further information or to make a booking: info@bic.org.uk
Course Location
Clays, Popson Street, Bungay NR35 1ED.
Course Length
The two-day course can be taken as one comprehensive programme across both days, or you can join us for just one of the days. The course will run from 9.30am – 5.00pm on each day.
Prices
Single Day
BIC Members £360 + VAT
Friends of BIC £420 + VAT
Non-Members £490 + VAT
NB: The ticket price excludes the Eventbrite processing fee and travel and accommodation costs.
Both days
BIC Members £635 + VAT
Friends of BIC £745 + VAT
Non-Members £865 + VAT
NB: The ticket price excludes the Eventbrite processing fee and travel and accommodation costs.
Discounted rates apply to BIC members only.
Not sure if your organisation is a BIC member? You can check here.
Alternative Payment Option:
If you would prefer BIC to invoice your organisation directly, please contact info@bic.org.uk. Please note that this process will incur a £25.00 administration fee.
On the Day
All of BIC’s full-day courses include refreshments and a full working lunch.
Dress Code
Please be aware that delegates will spend time in the factory, so we ask that you should please dress appropriately, i.e. no open-toe shoes / sandals.
WIFI Access
A password will be provided on the day to delegates.
Travel information Tube / Rail Stations:
Nearest station: Diss or Beccles
London Liverpool Street to Diss (30 mins to Bungay or 40 mins to Beccles by taxi). Trains frequent; duration: 1.5 hrs
London Liverpool Street to Beccles (15 mins to Bungay by Taxi) Trains infrequent, duration: 2.50 – 2.75 hrs
Car Park:
Should you choose to drive to this course, there is limited parking available onsite at Clays. Please request a parking space on registration.
Alternative, nearby car parks include Bungay Car Park (approx. 6 min walk)
Accommodation Information:
Please get in touch if you require guidance on accommodation,info@bic.org.uk.
Course Cancellations
Please note: as we price our training courses so keenly, the running of them is dependent on there being a set minimum number of delegates registered by the time the booking period ceases. For this reason, please be aware that unfortunately some courses may be cancelled if this requirement is not met. Should this happen, BIC will arrange for full refunds for all training courses booked. We will liaise with registered delegates at least 2 weeks prior to each course date regarding this. BIC apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Refund Policy
Please take a few moments to familiarise yourself with our refund policy:
Should you need to cancel your ticket, refunds may be given as follows:
- Up to 6 calendar weeks (i.e. 42 calendar days) before the event: full refund minus Eventbrite fee
- Less than 6 calendar weeks, but more than 2 calendar weeks (i.e. 14 days) before the event: 50% refund
- Less than 2 calendar weeks before the event: no refund.
If you (or a colleague in your place) do not attend the training course you have booked, no refund will be given.
Please note: Tickets are transferable within your organisation.
Heather O’Connell, Consultant
Heather has more than 20 years’ experience in book publishing. Specialising in book production, she has held various positions including Production Director for Penguin UK and HarperCollins Publishers. Heather now runs a consultancy, using her passion for and knowledge of the industry to support a broad range of print and publishing clients and industry initiatives.
Clays are long established as a key supplier of monochrome books to the publishing industry, and in addition as offering supply chain solutions around print. At their factory in Suffolk they are producing 150m books/year from single copy print-on-demand through to mass market bestsellers with print runs up to a million copies.
Clays has benefited from significant investment over the last ten years, to enable them to provide digital production services and an extensive distribution offering which complements the ever changing and fast moving books supply chain.
Clays have a wealth of experience from a long established and stable workforce, many of whom are excited to have this opportunity to share their breadth of knowledge through this training programme.