What makes an edition 'special'? How are they different from standard or trade editions, or distinguish themselves from hardbacks?
In this article, we outline the different features of special editions that set them apart from everyday copies you find on bookstore shelves.
Limited, exclusive and signed
Special editions often come in limited print runs of just a few hundred copies. Once these books are sold, no more will be printed. They might also be available only through certain channels. Most of the books we sell on this website can't be found anywhere else!
Because these editions are often made with close consultation with the author, there's a good chance they are also signed.
Unique covers
Special editions typically feature unique and exclusive covers. Sometimes this includes specially commissioned illustration, photography, or design. Special edition covers might include premium elements such as foil, and may be bound in cloth or other non-standard materials. The covers of special editions are typically thicker and more durable than trade paperbacks, meaning they are less susceptible to damage over time.
Premium design
Many special editions often have premium finishes to increase their visual appeal, to make them more durable, or to complement the reading experience.
Sprayed and stencilled edges have become extremely popular, adding a pop of colour or an opportunity for further illustrations even at the more inexpensive end of the special edition range. Our Lucy Score special editions come with lovely blue sprayed edges.
To help protect them from wear and tear, many special editions also have outer cases. These might be slipcases, which the book can slide out of, or clamshells, which more resemble boxes with a lid. As well as being protective, these cases offer an opportunity for additional design choices.
The more premium special editions often are printed on acid or woodfree paper. This also increases their lifespan, as the paper retains its quality for longer, rather than growing yellow and brittle.
Another simple but enjoyable feature of many special editions is a marker ribbon, which can be used in place of a bookmark - and stops the reader from dog-earing pages!
Bonus material
An extra level of exclusivity can be added with the inclusion of extra material that can't be found in the standard edition. This might be an additional chapter, or extra photographs like in the deluxe edition of Down with the System.
Sometimes, special editions can come with prints and other memorabilia. Our edition of Joe Lycett's Art Hole comes with a wealth of humorous extras, including postcards, an IKEA-style how-to-read-this-book guide, and a pair of cerulean viewing glasses.
Browse our full range of special edition titles, to discover more unique and deluxe features, here.