Today Dezeen launches Print Shift, a print-on-demand magazine about 3D printing produced in collaboration with cutting-edge publisher Blurb (+ slideshow).
The 60-page, advert-free magazine explores the fast changing world of additive manufacturing and examines how it is transforming architecture, design, fashion and other disciplines. It is one of the first ever magazines to be printed on demand and can only be bought online via the Blurb bookstore.
Written by the Dezeen editorial team, Print Shift is the result of extensive research into a technology that is developing at exhilarating speed. We have spoken to architects, designers, scientists and researchers around the world, travelled across Europe and visited some of the leading studios and factories at the cutting edge of a technological revolution.
The printing of the magazine is equally revolutionary and uses Blurb's print-on-demand technology, meaning that the magazine is only printed when a customer buys a copy.
Features in the magazine include a report on the race to build the world's first printed house; an investigation into the impact additive manufacturing is having on the fashion industry; and a look into the future of printed food.
Other subjects being transformed by 3D printing that are covered in Print Shift include archaeology, the medical industry and weaponry. The magazine also features a guide to buying a desktop 3D printer, a roundup of online printing services for designers and an explanation of how the Dezeen team got their heads scanned and printed.
“We’re incredibly honoured to be partnering with Dezeen on their first foray into print-on-demand," said Charles Davies, Blurb’s MD for Europe. "Creating a distinctive publication used to mean printing thousands of copies and take weeks to turnaround. Print Shift was printed-on-demand at our state-of-the-art print facility in Eindhoven in the Netherlands in a matter of days."
He added: "By linking together new developments in both 3D and book and magazine publishing, we hope to showcase the potential of on-demand-printing and inspire people to create their own high-quality books and magazines using Blurb."
Dezeen editor in chief Marcus Fairs said: “It struck us that there was a strong synergy between 3D printing, which has become one of the most popular topics on Dezeen, and what Blurb is doing. Both are democratising their respective industries by putting advanced technology in the hands of ordinary people at an affordable price; both are facilitating the production of high-quality, customised products, in low production runs with short lead times."
The magazine is available to buy now from the Blurb bookstore at £8.95 plus postage and packing.
For more details about Print Shift and to read additional content, visit www.dezeen.com/printshift.
Below is a press release from Blurb about the project:
Blurb and leading design blog Dezeen partner to create print-on-demand magazine: Print Shift
Limited edition magazine uncovers the fascinating future of 3D printing
London, UK — 16 April, 2013 — Blurb, the global creative publishing platform, has teamed up with one of the world’s most influential architecture, interiors and design blogs, Dezeen, to create Print Shift, a print-on-demand magazine, that showcases how technology is transforming both the publishing industry and the design world. The magazine, launched today, is available to buy now from the Blurb online bookstore priced at £8.95.
Combining Blurb’s print-on-demand technology with Dezeen’s industry insight and expertise, Print Shift is the first magazine to explore the exciting world of 3D printing, examining the revolutionary developments in architecture, fashion, weaponry, food and health, and featuring interviews with the key pioneers driving this strategic shift, including fashion designer Iris van Herpen and Belgium-based Materialise, through to Janne Kyttanen, co-founder of Freedom of Creation.
Until now, those looking to create high-quality magazines and brochures have been limited by minimum order requirements, long lead times and unattainable upfront costs. Blurb’s on-demand creative publishing platform enables creative professionals to make high-quality business publications from as little as one copy, and fast.
Print Shift has been created using Blurb’s plug-in for Adobe® InDesign® and uploaded to Blurb’s online bookshop. It will be printed only when ordered, using the latest digital presses, then collated, packaged and mailed directly to the customer within a week.
Charles Davies, Blurb’s MD for Europe said:
“We’re incredibly honoured to be partnering with Dezeen on their first foray into print-on-demand. Creating a distinctive publication used to mean printing thousands of copies and take weeks to turnaround. Print Shift was printed-on-demand at our state-of-the-art print facility in Eindhoven in the Netherlands in a matter of days. By linking together new developments in both 3D and book and magazine publishing, we hope to showcase the potential of on-demand-printing and inspire people to create their own high-quality books and magazines using Blurb.
“Whether you’re a creative individual who is looking for a way to monetize their content or a business who wants to create a portfolio, an elegant product catalogue or your very own monthly publication – with Blurb cost and time are no longer a barrier to producing something that is worthy of being displayed on a newsstand or bookshelf.”
Marcus Fairs, Dezeen and Print Shift’s Editor-in-Chief said:
“It struck us that there was a strong synergy between 3D printing, which has become one of the most popular topics on dezeen.com, and what Blurb is doing. Both are democratising their respective industries by putting advanced technology in the hands of ordinary people at an affordable price; both are facilitating the production of high-quality, customised products, in low production runs with short lead times.
“We’re proud to be working with a cutting-edge company like Blurb to produce our first printed-on-demand publication.”
Blurb Magazines are affordable, lighter-weight, perfect-bound, 20- to 240- page publications ideal for creative and editorial content, priced from just £6.99.
For more information on how you can get started with creating your own Blurb book or magazine, please visit www.Blurb.co.uk.
About Blurb®
Blurb® is a creative publishing platform that unleashes the creative genius inside everyone. Blurb’s platform makes it easy to design, publish, market, and sell professional-quality books, catalogs, and magazines in both print and digital forms. Through its bookstore and online marketing tools, Blurb enables its book-makers to sell their work and keep 100% of their profit, while its social and community features allow customers to create and share Blurb books aamong friends and colleagues cross social channels with ease.
Founded by Eileen Gittins in 2005, Blurb includes a team of design, Internet, and software veterans who share a passion for helping people bring their stories to life. To date, Blurb has shipped over 6.5 million books to 70 countries. In 2010, Blurb was ranked the fastest growing media company on the Inc. 500. Blurb is based in San Francisco with offices in London. For more info, visit www.blurb.com.