St Ives' Key Role In 2012 Olympic Bid Win

The London 2012 Olympic bid documents, which played a key role in helping the city's bid team to its success, were the work of St Ives Westerham Press.

The London 2012 Olympic bid documents, which played a key role in helping the city's bid team to its success, were the work of St Ives Westerham Press, in partnership with the 2012 organisation and designers Navy Blue.

The job comprised 900 copies of three A4 volumes, with a combined pagination of almost 600 pages, including 14 multi-page throwouts, six-page covers and gatefold sections.

Contained in striking bespoke-designed slipcases, the documents presented a host of production challenges.

General Manager of St Ives Westerham, Peter Hayden explained some of the other criteria behind 2012's choice: "Aside from the paramount importance of the quality of the finished piece, the absolute deadline for delivery of these documents to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), meant that planning and final production time were critical, and the contingency arrangements that we could offer by virtue of being part of the wider St Ives organisation contributed to 2012's confidence in us as a supplier." The nature of the contract meant that security of information at all stages of production was essential but the security arrangements already in place at St Ives Westerham gave the 2012 organisation and Navy Blue, complete peace of mind on that count, added the company.

The documents were printed stochastic screen on three Heidelberg 102 eight-colour presses over four days, using 638 plates.

2012 chose Consort Uncoated 150gsm for the text pages, and 300gsm weight for the covers, whilst the booklets were thread-sewn with matt laminated covers.

The contract also included production of a range of presentation and delivery materials to accompany the documents, including 900 slipcases to take one set of three volumes, with a curved collar to follow the line of the 2012 logo, 900 two-part postal cartons, 150 of which featured the 2012 logo and a one-off board box designed to take one slip case.

All the presentation items were printed using four-colour process.

Peter Hayden concluded: "To be chosen to print such a prestigious and beautifully-designed set of documents, which played such a key role in the successful Olympic bid, was a tremendous accolade for everyone at St Ives Westerham.

We're all extremely proud of the finished job and we are absolutely delighted that our documents played their part in contributing to the success of the London 2012 bid.".

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