The Process
Throughout the creation process of your gift book you are kept fully informed, and involved, to ensure we understand and fulfill your individual requirements. Confidentiality, sensitivity, and attention to detail enable us to work with you right through the creation process, to create a gift book that conveys your feelings, memories or admiration. Creating your gift book typically takes two to three months and broadly falls into the following stages...
Stage one - exploring your options
The first stage is to contact us for an informal conversation over the phone (usually 20-30 minutes) to explore your ideas and to give you suggestions and guidance on the style, format, layout, costs and content of your proposed book. People often discuss their idea further with their family or colleagues before contacting us again for more information or to commission a book.
Stage two - Commissioning your book
Once you are satisfied we have provided all the information and guidance you need, you will be ready to commission your gift book. We provide a simple order form, which you can post or email back to us. The form confirms your individual requirements and we can then start work collecting content and briefing our craftsmen on the materials and work required to craft your gift book. The next stage of the process depends on the category of book you have commissioned. There are three categories of books and the slightly differing processes for each are listed below…
Corporate & Promotional Gift Books
Books in this category include gifts for significant birthdays, family/life histories, biographies, holidays, honeymoons, sporting achievements, welcoming a new baby, anniversaries, retirements, grandchildren and many more.
Stage three - collecting material and photographs
You decide who to invite to be contributors. Often, there are 30 or more contributors for a book.
You advise the contributors that you have commissioned the book and would like them to provide some of the content. We then write or email to each contributor with advice and guidance on how they might like to contribute material for the gift book. This can be as little as a couple of paragraphs, although most contributors become enthused and contribute several pages!
This stage is usually a very enjoyable process for all involved. Everyone feels they are contributing to their friend's or relative's special event and also that their thoughts and words are being recorded for posterity.
All contributions are sent to us. They may be emailed, typed in hard copy or handwritten. We encourage contributors to send photographs, illustrations and even handprints from babies. All original materials are returned once they have been scanned or recorded.
These are few examples of repairing damaged images. Most photographs can be repaired or enhanced. In many instances this work is included as part of the service
Original photo taken 1958
Enhanced and framed photo
Original photo taken 1947
Repaired and enhanced photo
Stage four - editing
We edit the contributions as necessary to ensure the book 'flows' and that each contribution reads well, while retaining the individual 'voice' of each contributor.
We contact contributors if we need to make major changes or additions to their contribution or have suggestions to make.
Photographs are edited and enhanced as necessary. The laid out pages are checked for accuracy and proof-read. Titles and dedications are agreed.
Prior to printing we provide a draft copy for final checking and approval.
Stage five - creating the finished book
The book is printed, hand-stitched, covered and titled in gold leaf. The complete gift book(s) is wrapped or placed in a slip case and delivered to you.
Stage six - the presentation
This stage is entirely up to you. Most people choose to present their book as a complete surprise at an event such as a birthday or anniversary party. Often this enables the majority of the contributors to witness the presentation, which usually leaves the recipient emotional and quite literally speechless.
We prefer to allow two to three months for this whole process. It can be done in less time, but it is never too early to start. Please don't delay - contact us now.
Photographic masterpieces
Books in this category include gifts for candid weddings, celebrations and parties, the love of your life, holidays/honeymoons, the family estate/home , the pets you love and many more.
The creative direction of the process will be in the experienced and talented hands of Gary Italiaander, society photographer, whose Portrait Gallery was based at Harrods and is now a trusted photographic confidante of royalty and many influential and high profile personalities.
Stage three - presenting the project to your special person
To create this book of stunning photographic plates, we involve the recipient(s) from the outset. Most people choose to present the creation process as a surprise gift and we can provide an Elegant Gift Certificate that outlines the process they are about to take part in, and enjoy.
Stage four - selecting photographic subjects
We meet the recipient(s) to plan the contents for their book. Together we decide on the photographs they would like to record their story, special event or loved family home. The recipient also chooses the times, the locations and the people they wish to include. We do the rest.
Stage five - taking the photographs
We work to ensure the lighting, make-up, backgrounds and a host of other factors come together to produce stunning photographs that capture the essence of the person, or story, the book will eventually record.
For books recording events such as a 21st birthday or a wedding, our photographer will discretely blend into the event taking candid and some 'posed' photographs, to record the informal and emotional side of these important milestones.
Dozens of photographs are taken of each chosen subject and location, to provide a selection of images that can be woven together to create the final photographic masterpiece.
We involve the recipient in selecting the final photos.
Stage six - creating the finished book
The photographs are selected, digitally mastered and laid out with appropriate captions. The book is then printed in a large 'coffee table' format. The complete gift book(s) is boxed, wrapped and delivered to you or the recipient.
Stage seven - the final presentation
This stage is entirely up to you! You can arrange to have the book sent to you so that you can present the finished book to your special person at a significant occasion. Sometimes the recipient chooses to present their book to friends and family at a 'book launch' party.
We prefer to allow three to four months to create a Photographic Masterpiece. It can be done in less time, but it is never too early to start. Please don't delay - contact us now.
Corporate Gift Books
Books in this category include gifts for awards and recognition, major projects and achievements, business anniversaries/milestones, customer relations, promoting new concepts/products, corporate social responsibility, retirements, special events, attracting/thanking sponsors and many more. Most businesses commission a book for a specific purpose and we ensure that the creation process reflects the strategic objective of the book.
Stage three - collecting material and photographs
You decide who will contribute to the book. This can be as simple as arranging for the company archivist to provide all the material for a history of the company, with additional input from a few key executives or partners. More complex books can require contribution from staff across several sites or organisations and this can help to build business relations and provide a great 'water cooler' discussion topic to build inter-office relationships.
Selecting contributors can motivate or acknowledge staff. For example if your book is documenting a successful major project, you may ask the project's high performers to contribute.
You advise the contributors that you have commissioned the book and would like them to provide some of the content. We then write or email each contributor with advice and guidance on how they might contribute material.
We can also provide interviewers, copywriters, photographers and project management if required.
All contributions are sent to us. We encourage contributors to send photographs, illustrations, plans, etc. and original materials are returned once they have been scanned or recorded.
Stage four - editing
We edit the contributions as necessary to ensure the book has a logical sequence, that each contribution reads well and that the book 'stays on message' to meet your strategic objectives.
We consult with contributors if we need to make major changes or additions to their contribution.
Photographs are edited and enhanced as necessary. The laid out pages are checked for accuracy and proof-read. Titles and dedications are agreed.
We can provide a mock up of the book at this stage. Larger organisation find this particularly useful to obtain executive sign off, or to check any sensitive issues have been communicated appropriately.
Stage five - creating the finished book
The book is printed, hand-stitched, covered and titled in gold leaf. The complete gift book(s) is wrapped and delivered to your office.
Stage six - the presentation
This stage is entirely up to you. Many businesses choose to present their book as a complete surprise at an event, such as a retirement party, corporate dinner or at the signing of contracts. Sometimes gift books are presented individually by the CEO or an executive when they meet key business partners. However they are presented, elegant gift books provide an unforgettable added edge to business events, business relationships and staff motivation.
We prefer to allow at least three months for this whole process. It can be done in less time, but it is never too early to start. Please don't delay - contact us now.
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