The Making of a Limited Edition

With every Limited Edition, we’re aiming to create something truly special – the ultimate version of a beloved book. That means finding the perfect finishes, testing new materials and working with the very best craftspeople. Our limited edition Shakespeare: The Complete Plays took years from concept to publication, every detail carefully considered. As Production Director Kate Grimwade says:

‘We’ve got to be brave and keep trying new things. We’ve got to experiment and break boundaries in bookmaking. That’s what we’re about.’

The Making of a Limited Edition

Every Folio limited edition is a team effort, something that couldn't happen without the support and incredible skills of artisans and craftspeople – from hand-marblers and leatherworkers to digital printers and illustrators at the top of their game.

We collaborate closely with these expert makers to realise each book’s vision, combining traditional techniques with bold innovation to create something that’s beautiful – but that's built to be handled and cherished.

The Making of a Limited Edition

Whether it's goatskin leather and letterpress printing, or hand-marbled endpapers and holographic foil, if a detail matters, we’ll find a way to do it.

Our Limited Edition of Kitagawa Utamaro: Studies from Nature involved extraordinary levels of craftsmanship to recreate five 18th-century Japanese volumes exactly as they were first made.

From delicate Japanese sewn bindings to concertina folds and subtle mica-like overprinting, every technique was carefully chosen to echo the originals. We even embossed individual pages to mirror the texture of the first editions – proof that nothing is too intricate when it comes to getting it right.