The film shows how the printing press runs smoothly, carefully maintained. The machinery makes it look so simple as the story takes physical form: The words fly by. The pages are cut and collected so that every single book can reach its reader. The story will be ready to open someone’s eyes to something, to give a moment’s escape from something, or to change someone’s perception.
The birth of a book
There is something beautiful in the birth of a book. From the conception stage, when the idea starts growing within the writer. Throughout a hard labour of writing, and editing, where the manuscript takes shape. Then, just as it takes a village to raise a child, a whole group of people work together - and bring forward the finished book.
The paper and the printing are just two pieces in the process. But they can be beautiful, just as well. And they matter to the final result. They are part of the perception when the story meets the reader.
The role of the paper
We at Holmen Paper are proud to play our role by supplying the paper. The paper has to be of the right quality, and delivered at the right time. In our team there is also a whole group of people to make this happen.
The paper used for 'The Testaments' was Holmen BOOK Cream bulk 2.2, 65 gsm. This paper has a natural feeling, since it's made from fresh wood-fibres, and a smooth and even quality suitable for both hardback and paperback editions. BOOK Cream is one of our best-selling papers, appreciated for its colour balance, providing great readability and comfort for the eye.
If there are any questions about the printing process in relation to Holmen's papers, we have a dedicated Technical Support team. For the first print intake of a new product or at a new printer, we often attend in person to facilitate the process. We can also provide the necessary colour profiles as well as knowledge about how to prevent common problems. No question is too small or too big for us.
The result
Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Testaments’ won the BOOKER Prize in 2019. The story immediately became a classic, just like ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, which it was a long-awaited sequel to. If you would like to read more about the book, you can find it at the publisher’s website.