Often dismissed as a dull but necessary part of corporate life, the annual report, in the right hands, can actually turn out to be a work of startling beauty. To celebrate the year’s triumphs, global law firm White & Case presented not one but two stunning reports in 2019: one to highlight its business activities, the other its charitable works. Using vibrant photography and careful attention to printing details, both publications significantly raise the bar for what such pieces can be.
From the outside the two look nearly identical, their front covers printed on 80 lb. Cover Neenah Oxford White. Each cover sports a blind-debossed background pattern (front and back). On the front cover “White & Case” is embossed and Silver foiled, with the report’s title register embossed. On both, the dramatic “2019” is not foil stamped as it at first glance appears, but actually printed CMYK. And each perfect bound piece also boasts a colorful spine teasing the beautiful color photography waiting inside.
The Annual Review
The first thing you notice upon flipping through the pages of the Annual Review is just how much vibrant color and illustration it contains. Sure, there are facts and figures galore, but they’re frequently balanced out by colorful full-bleed photographs of natural and manmade wonders from around the world, emphasizing the firm’s global reach.
Global Citizenship Review
As it turns out, the Annual Review is just an hors d’oeuvre for this next volume, whose stunning photography by famed photojournalist Steve McCurry – probably best known for his National Geographic photo “Afghan Girl” – brings to life the exotic lands in which the law firm “gives back” through pro bono and other charitable works.
The 80 lb. Mohawk Options Navajo smooth sheet [PRO members: Get Swatchbook!] used for the interior pages of both reports really comes to the fore here as it stands up to the heavy ink saturation needed to reproduce these rich, vibrant photographs. That the paper is also FSC certified, elemental chlorine free, and created using Green-e certified renewable credits from wind power, all further underscore White & Case’s commitment to corporate responsibility.
From paper choice to smart use of embossing and debossing, these pieces are an excellent example of what is possible when a great design team (White & Case in-house) meets a great print consultant – in this case Tocci Made [projects / website].
The latter, no stranger to sophisticated creations, had the experience and knowledge to perfectly bring these creations to life. Aided and abetted, I should add, by Brodock Press [projects / website] and Superior Packaging and Finishing [projects / website].
While perfect binding was a great fit for these books, there are many different binding options available to you. Discover the pros and cons of each – download your free PaperSpecs Binding Cheat Sheet right now!
