This week, “Inside the Factory” takes us on a literary journey, exploring the surprisingly intricate process of creating a hardback book. Paddy McGuinness visits the Clays book factory in Suffolk, a behemoth of a facility churning out an astonishing three million books every week. The episode follows the production of 20,000 copies of Penguin’s Clothbound Classic edition of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” offering a fascinating glimpse into the modern book-making industry.
Co-presenter Cherry Healey takes a deep dive into the technical aspects of the process, learning how specialized software and lasers transfer text onto printing plates. The factory utilizes lithography, a printing method based on the simple principle that oil and water don’t mix, to print a remarkable 960 words per second. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of a process that blends centuries-old techniques with cutting-edge technology.
The scale of the operation is truly impressive. Massive rolls of paper, each weighing 750 kilograms and capable of producing 1,380 books, feed the insatiable printing presses. Healey explores the subsequent stages of folding, gluing, and trimming the pages, revealing the meticulous attention to detail required at every step. The creation of the hardback covers, with their luxurious cloth and intricately embossed designs, is a particularly fascinating segment, showcasing the artistry that goes into creating these beautiful objects.
Beyond the factory floor, Healey also looks into the science of sight and how our eyes process text, while historian Ruth Goodman provides a historical context, sharing the story of Louis Braille and his revolutionary tactile writing system. “Inside the Factory” manages to make even the most mundane processes seem fascinating, reminding us of the complex journey behind even the simplest of everyday objects.
Inside the Factory airs Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 20:00 on BBC Two.