Commissioned & Custom Publishing
Some projects call for a different approach to publishing.
We work with organisations, trusts, clubs, businesses, and families who want to create something lasting: a centenary history, an anniversary publication, a family record, or an institutional legacy. These are books built to endure, and we treat them that way.
We're collaborative, careful, and experienced. Our job is to take your material, however complex or personal, and shape it into a book you'll be proud of for decades.
How the Process Works
Every commissioned project is different, which is why we don't have a standard package. Here's a guide to how we work, the kinds of projects we take on, and what to expect from start to finish.
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A commissioned book is one we produce on your behalf, to a brief we develop together. Rather than publishing for the open market, we're working toward a specific purpose: marking a milestone, recording a history, or creating something permanent for the people who matter to your organisation or family.
You retain full oversight of the content and how it's distributed. We manage everything else, from planning through to delivery.
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Our commissioned work spans a wide range of sectors and scales. We've produced centenary and anniversary publications, organisational and corporate histories, industry records, club and community books, and family legacy projects — from modest personal memoirs to large institutional volumes.
Every project is scoped individually. The approach is always shaped by your material, your audience, and what the book is actually for.
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We start by listening. Once we understand your objectives, your timeline, and what you're working with, we develop a publishing plan that's specific to your project.
Depending on scope, our involvement may include copy-editing and proofreading, design and typesetting, image handling, printing, print management, and delivery. We give you a clear proposal, honest costings, and a realistic schedule — and we see it through.
You'll work directly with our publishing team throughout. No account managers, no handoffs.
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We have extensive experience producing high-quality books, hardback and paperback, built for longevity rather than the short end of a print run. Production specifications are developed for each project and may include premium papers, specialist binding, and finishes that suit the brief and the budget.
Printing is managed through trusted suppliers, chosen for quality and reliability, not just cost.
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Many of our commissioned books are tied to a fixed date: a centenary, a launch, an event that can't move. We're experienced in planning to hard deadlines and will be straightforward with you early if a timeline isn't achievable with the material available.
We factor in everything: editorial complexity, approval rounds, design, printing, and freight. The earlier you come to us, the more room we have to do the work properly.
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You don't need a fully formed brief to get in touch. A general sense of what you'd like to create and when is enough to start a useful conversation.
To get in touch about a commissioned project, use our contact form here.
