PAN-FOTO provides integrated photography, book design and publishing services for cultural institutions, public organisations, companies and individual authors.
We work on publications from the initial visual concept through documentary photography, image selection and editing, archival material preparation, page layout and prepress, to consultation on printing and production. Depending on the project, the work may cover the entire publishing process or selected stages.
Our experience includes photobooks, exhibition catalogues, documentary and historical publications, institutional publications and books combining contemporary photography with archival materials.
A particular focus is placed on image quality, colour management and the relationship between photography, typography, paper and printing technology. The aim is to create a coherent publication in which content, photographs and physical form work together.
The offer includes
Photography
Photography developed specifically for books, catalogues and institutional publications, including:
– documentary photography
– architecture and interiors
– people and workplaces
– products and services
– natural and cultural landscapes
– historical and cultural heritage
Book Design & Layout
Development of the visual concept and structure of books, catalogues and other publications, including:
– page layout and typography
– image selection and sequencing
– integration of contemporary and archival materials
– captions, credits and supplementary visual content
– adaptation of the design to book format, paper and binding
Editorial & Prepress
Preparation of materials for publication, including:
– image processing and colour correction
– preparation for CMYK printing
– print-ready PDF files
– checking resolution, colour profiles, bleeds and other technical parameters
– coordination of supplied texts, photographs and archival materials
Books & Exhibition Catalogues
Design and production support for:
– photobooks
– exhibition catalogues
– documentary and historical publications
– institutional books
– artist publications
Projects can be prepared for offset or digital printing, in hardback or softcover editions and in different print runs. Consultation may also include paper selection, binding, cover finishes and other technical aspects of production.
Small Print Run Publications
Selected printing technologies make it possible to produce books and catalogues in relatively small editions.
Depending on the format and production method, print runs may start from approximately 100 copies. This can be especially useful for exhibition catalogues, artist books and specialised institutional publications.
Editorial Content
Preparation and organisation of textual content may include:
– institutional and company information
– texts presenting services, projects and activities
– product and collection descriptions
– tourist and regional information
– historical and cultural heritage content
– captions, credits and supplementary texts
Translations
Polish–English translation and language coordination for:
– books and catalogues
– exhibition publications
– institutional materials
– project presentations
– websites
For larger or specialised projects, translation can also be coordinated with external translators and authors.
Related Visual Services
Publishing projects can also be combined with:
– virtual tours
– online project presentations
– exhibition presentations
– websites accompanying publications or cultural projects
Print Quality Examples
Printing technology, screening, paper and prepress preparation all influence the reproduction of photographic detail.
The examples below allow a direct comparison of different printing methods used in our publication projects as well as useful reference for comparison with the higher and lower resolution printing methods. Wait until the image has fully loaded before zooming. Double-click to enter or leave full-screen view. Zoom in and check it out. Wait until the image is fully loaded. Double click releases the full screen.
High-resolution offset printing — 450 lpi
Scan of one the photobook pages – offset printing of 450 lines per inch quality (typical: 175).
Zoom in 200% and see the detail – limited by the paper’s structure only.
Zoom in and check it out. Wait until the image is fully loaded. Double click releases the full screen.
High-detail UV inkjet printing
Scan of the photobook – exhibition catalogue pages – high detail inkjet UV printing.
Zoom in 200% and see the detail – limited by the paper’s structure only.
Zoom in and check it out. Wait until the image is fully loaded. Double click releases the full screen.
Standard offset printing — 175 lpi
Scan of the book page – typical quality offset (litho) printing: 175 lines per inch.
Selected case studies
The projects below show different approaches to publishing — from documentary and historical books to exhibition catalogues and publications developed around photographic projects.
They illustrate how photography, archival sources, editorial content, graphic design and print production can be combined within a single visual concept.
