Do you have any shelf space?
hope you have a lot. because the number of great design books published this year is overwhelming. (Seriously, when I look to my left, I see a wobbly column of hardcover books that is a Darwin Award in the making.)
You are reading: Best design books 2020
but for starters: time for the disclaimer! when we write “best books of 2020”, what we really mean is “our favorite design books we found in 2020”.
While many publications may be hesitant to admit it, lists like this are highly subjective and there are undoubtedly brilliant books out there that we didn’t find. but these are the ones we did, and these are the ones we fell in love with this year as we huddled together in quarantine.
with this: our annual list of the best art and design books of 2020, representing a wide swath of visual culture, from high to low, from ephemeral to essential and vital, and all manner of middle ground.
buy them for the holidays (ideally, at your favorite independent bookstore which is probably having problems at the moment). they could be the poultice you need to stay calm and continue your creativity as 2021 is (hopefully!) just around the corner.
Airline Visual Identity 1945-1975 by M.C. Hühne
from the editor: “airline visual identity 1945-1975 reconstructs the visual language of 13 pioneering airlines at different times. airline visual identity was the most complex of all industries in this era, made up of hundreds of elements for each airline, ranging from timetables and print advertisements to aircraft interiors and liveries of the aircraft themselves, a series of case studies look at the most important design developments for each airline and the strategies behind them, accompanied by careful work Selected from famous designers and advertising icons, taking the reader back in time to witness the glamorous days of the airline industry, the book provides a unique insight into the design and advertising methods of an era in which airlines were considered the most appreciated business sector and quality was the main criterion for selecting a flight. Some of the greatest creative minds of the day, such as Massimo Vignelli, OTL Aicher, Academy Award winner Saul Bass, Ivan Chermayeff, or the advertising titan Mary Wells Lawrence, the designs found in the book also illustrate the change in traditional methods from design and advertising to comprehensive and modern brand development programs.”
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All’s Fair in Love and War: The Ultimate Cartoon Book by Bob Eckstein
from the editor: “the perfect gift for an anniversary, or for your divorce lawyer, all’s fair in love and war will enchant hopeless romantics and cynical heartthrob alike. find wit and wisdom about love in all From a first date to a third divorce, this curated collection features the work of over 40 of New York’s best and brightest cartoonists, including Roz Chast, Sam Gross, Liana Finck, Bob Mankoff, Edward Steed, and Danny Shanahan. many of the cartoons appear in print for the first time.”
Avoid This by Brian Rea
from the editor: “this collection of misbehavior from acclaimed artist and illustrator brian rea will have you cringing, giggling, and compulsively turning the page for more.” rea’s simple but moving scenes represent a version of life so close to our daily lives that it is better to laugh than to cry. avoid this is made for millennials and lovers of black humor. the beautiful textured hardcover just gives a hint of the dark delights within.”
Branded Interactions: Marketing Through Design in the Digital Age by Marco Spies and Katja Wenger
From the Editor: “Digital design plays a crucial role in how customers experience a brand. However, corporate websites and online stores are only one part of interactive brand identity; experiences Complex user experiences closely link conception, design, and technology, and integrate consistent prototyping and testing.The importance of the mobile experience has grown exponentially in recent years, while interactive ads, chatbots, and digital billboards meet increasingly in the real world. the interface is now the brand, and this changes the professional profile of designers. this extensively updated edition of brand interactions is a practical manual for professional digital designers and those just starting out. reader through the digital branding process in five key phases: discover a demographic, define an action plan, design an interface, deliver a quality product and distribute the design to the market. Packed with case studies and real-world examples from brands like Google, Amazon, and Lego, this book weaves together a wealth of theory and design diagrams to help build a solid framework for any project, incorporating brand strategy at every stage. while remaining flexible to leave room for creativity.”
Button Power by Christen Carter and Ted Hake
From the Editor: “From the campaign trail to the rock tour, Button Power collects the story of one people’s American culture told through the pin-back button. Lively commentary from two of America’s leading button experts America shows how the small but mighty button reveals the events and movements that outraged, amused, and inspired us over time, from Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight to the black power movement.
“artists, athletes, actors, politicians, punk and pop musicians, and mascots from the last 125 years make cameo appearances, including rube goldberg, muhammad ali, the ramones, shirley chisholm, marathon the snake handler and ray stevens, singer of “the streak”. The first book of its kind, Button Power is a rich visual feast. each colorful sheet narrates defining moments in history through photographs and artifacts.”
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Chinatown Pretty: Fashion and Wisdom From Chinatown’s Most Stylish Seniors by Valerie Luu and Andria Lo
from the editor: “chinatown pretty features beautiful portraits and poignant stories of trend-setting seniors in six Chinatowns. andria lo and valerie luu have been interviewing and photographing chinatown’s most fashionable seniors on their blog and instagram, chinatown pretty, since 2014. chinatown pretty is a signature style worn by pòh pohs (grandmothers) and gùng gungs (grandfathers). everywhere, but it is also a philosophy of life, blending ingenuity, creativity and the ability to find joy even in difficult circumstances.”
Constitution Illustrated by R. Sikoryak
from the publisher: “r. sikoryak is the master of pop culture pastiche. in masterpiece comics, he interpreted classic literature with the defining comics of the 20th century. with terms and conditions, he made legible the illegible contract that everyone signs and no one reads. he employs his magic once again to investigate the very framework of the country with the enlightened constitution. By visually interpreting the full text of the land’s supreme law with over a century of American pop culture icons, Sikoryak distills the very essence of government legal jargon from the abstract to the tangible, from the historical to the contemporary. Between Sikoryak’s successful marriages of government articles and amendments with famous comic book characters: The 18th Amendment that instituted the ban hinges on Homer Simpson running from Chief Wiggum; the 14th amendment solidifying citizenship to all persons born and naturalized in the united states is embodied by mrs. Wonderful; And of course the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote is a glorious depiction of Wonder Woman breaking free of her chains.”
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E. McKnight Kauffer: The Artist in Advertising edited by Caitlin Condell and Emily M. Orr
Publisher’s
: “Hailed in his lifetime as the ‘king of posters,’ eg mcknight kauffer’s designs for london transport system, alfred hitchcock and others are an enduring influence on contemporary advertising and graphic arts kauffer (1890-1954) was a pioneering figure who transformed the field of graphic design between the wars, drawing on the emerging visual languages of cubism, vorticism, and surrealism to create a modern graphic style that shaped the development of art Through collaborations with his avant-garde peers in art, literature, and design, including The Bloomsbury Group, Marion Dorn, T.S. Eliot, Langston Hughes, Aldous Huxley, and Man Ray, Kauffer expanded the reach and impact of his This groundbreaking publication is the first to address the full range of Kauffer’s career.”
Design School Reader: A Course Companion for Students of Graphic Design by Steven Heller
From the Publisher: “In this comprehensive compilation, art director, writer, and speaker steven heller shares his passion for graphic design with readers, inviting them to consider that design can be discerned in all things natural and man-made. Developed as content for a class devoted to reading, this collection is not openly about conventional design, but about a variety of topics seen through the lens of design. Offered as a manual for undergraduates and graduate, design school reader presents more than 40 essays on topics such as the role of design in politics; the visual culture and social impact of design; key moments in the history of typography; technological innovations; the power of the brand and the logos; ethical considerations and dilemmas; and important figures in the world of design.”
See Also: 8 Life-Changing Books About Fear and How to Overcome it
[editor’s note: print’s steven heller was not involved in this book selection, but with over 200 books under his belt, it’s hard to navigate the design aisle of a bookstore without stumbling upon some essential new reads from him every year.]
Grief and Grievance: Art and Mourning in America originally conceived by Okwui Enwezor
from the publisher: “a timely and urgent exploration of the ways artists have dealt with race and pain in modern america. …with works by more than 30 artists and writings by leading scholars and art historians, this book, and its accompanying exhibition, both conceived by the late legendary curator okwui enwezor, give a voice to artists who address concepts of grief , commemoration, and loss, and considers his commitment to the social movements, from civil rights to Black lives, that Black pain has galvanized. artists included: terry adkins, jean-michel basquiat, kevin beasley, dawoud bey, mark bradford, garrett bradley, melvin edwards, latoya ruby frazier, charles gaines, theaster gates, ellen gallagher, arthur jafa, daniel larue johnson, rashid johnson , Jennie C. jones, joseph kahlil, deana lawson, simone leigh, glenn ligon, kerry james marshall, julie mehretu, tiona nekkia mcclodden, okwui okpokwasili, adam pendleton, julia phillips, howardena pindell, cameron rowland, lorna simpson, sable elyse smith, tyshawn sorey, Diamond Stingily, Henry Taylor, Hank Willis Thomas, Kara Walker, Nari Ward, Carrie Mae Weems, and Jack Whitten.”
Guerrilla Girls: The Art of Behaving Badly by Guerrilla Girls
from the publisher: “guerrilla girls: the art of misbehaving is the first book that catalogs the entire career of the guerrilla girls from 1985 to the present. guerrilla girls are a collective of political feminist artists who denounce discrimination and corruption in art, film, politics and pop culture around the world. this book explores all of his provocative street campaigns, unforgettable media appearances, and large-scale exhibitions.”
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See Also: 12 Best Focus Books to Read in 2022
How Design Makes the World by Scott Berkun
from the editor: “what is it about? everything we use, from our homes to our smartphones, from roads to hammers, was designed by someone. how did they decide what was good for the rest of us? What did they do well and where have they let us down? And what can we learn from the way these experts think that can help us make decisions in our own lives?
“who is it for? anyone involved in making things, people who like great, fun books, people curious about how things work, designers, people who work with designers, engineers, marketers, and more.”
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See Also: 12 Best Focus Books to Read in 2022
Kama Sutra A-Z by Malika Favre
from the publisher: “the ‘kama sutra a-z’ was initially developed by malika favre in 2013 as an art project and exhibition. seven years later, she decided to bring this body of work together in a co-published limited edition book with counterprint The 26 letters are displayed as individual pieces of art and are accompanied by erotic excerpts, carefully curated by the artist, with a strong emphasis on the female poets.The result is an eclectic and timeless collection of writings, from ancient times to the present day. which includes contributions from renowned poets such as Sandra Cisneros, Yusef Komunyakaa, Stephanie Burt, Vanessa Kisuule, Warsan Shire, Kyle Dargan, and Michael Faudet, among many more.”
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See Also: 12 Best Focus Books to Read in 2022
Ralph Steadman: A Life in Ink by Ralph Steadman
from the editor: “ralph steadman: a life in ink is the definitive retrospective of the career of this revered and provocative brit. artist. recognized for his collaborations with the iconic American writer hunter s. Thompson, formed an unlikely duo that created ‘gonzo’ journalism. This lifetime collaboration included the now legendary Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, originally published in Rolling Stone magazine, which has since become a cult classic. The book explores Steadman’s signature ink-splattered style; features a diverse body of work including satirical political illustrations; and includes art from award-winning children’s books like Alice in Wonderland. ralph steadman: a life in ink is an essential celebration of the artist’s important and influential career.”
The Making of Prince of Persia: Journals 1985-1993 by Jordan Mechner
From the Publisher: “Before Prince of Persia was a best-selling video game franchise and Disney movie, it was an Apple II computer game created and programmed by one person, Jordan Mechner. Mechner’s candid and revealing diaries of the time capture the journey from his parents’ basement to the forefront of the fast-growing video game industry of the 1980s, and the creative, technical, and personal struggles that brought the prince to life. and, ultimately, to the homes of millions. ns of people all over the world. In the making of Prince of Persia, on the 30th anniversary of the game’s release, Mechner reviews the journals he kept between 1985 and 1993, offering new insights into the game that revolutionized and redefined a genre.”
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See Also: 12 Best Focus Books to Read in 2022
Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration by Nicole R. Fleetwood
from the editor: “more than 2 million people are currently behind bars in the united states. Imprisonment not only separates the incarcerated from their families and communities, it also exposes them to shocking levels of deprivation and abuse and subjects them to the arbitrary cruelties of the criminal justice system. However, as Nicole Fleetwood reveals, America’s prisons are full of art. Despite the isolation and degradation they experience, those incarcerated are forced to assert their humanity in the face of a system that dehumanizes them.
“Based on interviews with current and past incarcerated artists, prison visits, and the author’s own family experiences with the penal system, Marking Time shows how those incarcerated turn ordinary objects into elaborate works of art. Working with scarce supplies and in the harshest of conditions, including solitary confinement, these artists find ways to resist the brutality and depravity that prisons breed. The impact of his art, notes Fleetwood, can be felt far beyond the prison walls. His bold works, many of which are published for the first time in this volume, have opened up new possibilities in American art.”
Midcentury Modern Design: A Complete Sourcebook by Dominic Bradbury
From the Publisher: “A definitive survey of mid-century modern design and architecture in an accessible compact edition, this book offers a rich overview of one of the most popular, collectible, and dynamic design periods. With rich examples and diverse in everything from furniture and lighting to ceramics and textiles, graphics and posters, interior design and architecture, this elegant compendium of mid-century style includes more than 1,000 illustrations depicting classic designs and rarely seen rarities, as well as entrances On nearly 100 great creators, including Dieter Rams, Robin Day, Isamu Noguchi, Lucie Rie, Charles and Ray Eames, Alvar Aalto, and Oscar Niemeyer An additional illustrated dictionary features hundreds of the most influential designers, manufacturers, organizations, schools, and movements of the mid century”.
Modern Artifacts by Michelle Elligott and Tod Lippy
From the Publisher: “Modern Artifacts features all 18 installments of the eponymous series that appeared in esopus editions, several of which are out of print, from 2006 to 2019. The ‘Modern Artifacts’ series features items reproduced in facsimile from MoMA’s collection From documentation relating to never-before-seen exhibits to pages from the museum’s first guestbook, curated and presented by MOMA’s head of archives, library and research collections, Michelle Elligott, six contemporary artists—Mary Ellen Carroll, rhea karam, mary lum, clifford owens, michael rakowitz, and paul ramirez jonas—have contributed projects related to a particular aspect of the archives.these contributions, many of which incorporate removable inserts, appear throughout the book, which also includes an introductory essay by elligott and a foreword by esopus editor tod lippy.”
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See Also: 12 Best Focus Books to Read in 2022
Norman Ives: Constructions & Reconstructions by John T. Hill
from the editor: “norman ives: builds & Reconstructions is an in-depth chronicle of the spirit and genius of master plastic artist and renowned graphic designer Norman Ives. this book presents hidden treasures, showing the brilliant variety and vitality of his work. completely defines ives characteristic use of letterform fragments. these became the lyrical strokes of his abstract constructions and reconstructions.”
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See Also: 12 Best Focus Books to Read in 2022
Paula Scher: Twenty-Five Years at the Public: A Love Story by Paula Scher
See Also: Pricing Books – List of Top 10 Pricing Books [Updated 2022]
from the publisher: “paula scher, an extraordinary figure in the design community with a client list to match, turned her first major project as a partner at pentagram into a formative 25-year relationship with public theater in new York This behind-the-scenes account of the relationship between Scher and ‘the public’, as it is affectionately known, chronicles more than two decades of brand and identity development and an evolving creative process in a unique ‘graphic design autobiography’. Designers and theatergoers from around the world will be delighted to find hundreds of Scher posters, including those for Hamilton, Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk, and numerous Shakespeare productions in the park, collected in this one-of-a-kind volume. , along with other printed and process-related materials.”
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See Also: 12 Best Focus Books to Read in 2022
Paul Thomas Anderson: Masterworks by Adam Nayman
from the publisher: “an illustrated mid-career monograph exploring the 30-year creative journey of the eight-time academy award-nominated writer-director. paul thomas anderson has been described as “one of the modern masters of cinema American” and “the greatest film talent of his generation.” …in paul thomas anderson: masterworks, anderson’s entire career—from eight hard (1996), boogie nights (1997), magnolia (1999), hit drunk love (2002 ), there will be blood (2007), the teacher (2012), inherent vice (2014) and phantom thread (2017) to his music videos for radiohead to his first short films, is examined in detail illustrated for the first time.
“Anderson’s influences, his style, and the recurring themes of alienation, reinvention, ambition, and destiny that run through his films are explored and supplemented by first-hand interviews with Anderson’s closest collaborators, including producer Joanne Sellar, actress vicky krieps and composer jonny. greenwood—and lit by film stills, stock photos, original artwork, and an appropriately psychedelic design aesthetic. masterworks is a tribute to the dreamers, drifters, and evil dentists that populate his world.”
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See Also: 12 Best Focus Books to Read in 2022
The People Shall Govern! Medu Art Ensemble and the Anti-Apartheid Poster edited by Antawan I. Byrd and Felicia Mings
from the editor: “formed in the late 1970s, the medu art ensemble forcefully articulated a call to end the racial segregation and violent injustice of the apartheid system through posters that combined revolutionary imagery with slogans Boldly advocating decolonization and (non-white) majority rule in South Africa and neighboring countries, Medu members were persecuted by the South African Defense Forces and operated in exile across the border in Botswana.
“The people will rule! It features almost all of the surviving posters that Medu created between 1979 and 1985. These objects are extremely rare, having originally been smuggled into South Africa and mounted in public places, where they were regularly confiscated or toppled on sight. Offering new insight into the conceptual framework of medu’s work practice and featuring a beautiful screen-printed cover, this volume examines the continuing relevance and impact of his poster production.”
Posters for a Green New Deal: 50 Removable Posters to Inspire Change by Creative Action Network
from the editor: “posters with a purpose. A wake-up call for our time, the Green New Deal is a bold and far-reaching legislative plan to combat climate change, create millions of good-paying jobs, promote economic and racial equality, and much more. In its ambition, it is a vision that mirrors President Franklin D. The Roosevelt New Deal, which helped lift the country out of the Great Depression. And just as WPA artists rallied support for the New Deal with their work, here are 50 powerful posters to champion the Green New Deal. The posters are original, colorful and visually striking, with text on the back explaining each issue and how the Green New Deal seeks to address it. perforated pages make them easy to tear out and hang or use as signs at marches and rallies, because it’s not just a book to flip through. Climate change affects everything: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the places we call home, and the people we love. and the time to act accordingly is now.”
read more about printing here.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, curated by Barbara Heller
from the editor: “this deluxe edition brings to life the letters exchanged between jane austen’s characters with pride and prejudice. Crystal pockets placed throughout the book contain removable replicas of 19 cards from the story. These powerful epistles include Lydia’s announcement of her elopement, Mr. Collins’s obsequious missives and, of course, Darcy’s painfully honest letter to Elizabeth. Nothing better captures Jane Austen’s vivid emotion and sharp wit than her character correspondence. each letter is recreated with beautiful calligraphy. the letters are hand-bent with painstaking attention to historical detail. Perusing the letters will transport readers directly to the parlor at Netherfield or the breakfast table at Longbourn. For anyone who loves Austen, and for anyone who still appreciates the joy of letter writing, this book illuminates a favorite story in a whole new way.”
Road Through Midnight: A Civil Rights Memorial by Jessica Ingram
from the editor: “at first glance, jessica ingram’s landscape photographs could have been taken just about anywhere in the southern united states: a fenced-in backyard, a dirt road lined with weeds, a field criss-crossed by footprints of muddy tires. These seemingly ordinary places, however, were the sites of pivotal events during the civil rights era, although there is often no plaque with dates and names to mark their importance. Many of these places are where they were killed or found the bodies of activists, mill workers, shopkeepers, sharecroppers, children and adolescents, victims of racist violence.The images of these places are intermingled with oral histories of the victims’ families and investigative journalists, as well as pages from newspapers and fbi files and other ephemera.
“with road through midnight, the result of nearly a decade of research and fieldwork, ingram unlocks powerful and complex histories to recast these common landscapes as sites of both memory and resistance and transforms the way we think about what has happened and what is happening now, as the fight for civil rights continues and the commemoration has become the literal issue of a contested cultural and social terrain.”
Studio Culture Now edited by Mark Sinclair
from the editor: “studio culture now includes in-depth interviews with a host of leading design studios. interviewees share their experiences, insights, fears and joys, and reveal how they confront the fundamentals and aspirations of the sincere and generous, these extensive questions and answers form a model for anyone planning a studio internship, or for anyone having difficulty maintaining one.topics covered include: getting a job, working with clients, balancing creativity with profitability, accounting, hiring, promotion, wellness and much more. The interviews, conducted mostly in recent months, also reveal how studios are adapting to the changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.” p>
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Takenobu Igarashi A-Z edited by Sakura Nomiyama and Haruki Mori
from the publisher: “in the mid-1970s, designer takeobu igarashi began a prolific decade-long exploration of the possibilities of three-dimensional typography. His early experiments with lettering, heavily influenced by the avant-garde typography of the 1920s, appeared on magazine covers, posters, and record sleeves. Timeless and technically dazzling, Igarashi’s signature style demonstrates his mastery of three-dimensional forms and perspective, refined long before the introduction of computers to the design industry. takeobu igarashi a-z offers a comprehensive guide to igarashi’s experimental typography, featuring not only his most celebrated works, but also a first look at archival blueprints, drawings, and production drafts of his iconic designs. From his early print works and hand-drawn experiments to self-initiated sculptural pieces and high-profile 3D identities for international clients and institutions, this book is a long-awaited study of one of the most inventive graphic designers of the 20th century.”
Seymour Chwast: Inspiration and Process in Design by Steven Heller
From the publisher: “Seymour Chwast is an American graphic designer known for his diverse body of work and his enduring influence on visual culture. He is the author of more than 30 children’s books, four graphic novels, and several typefaces. In 1954, He co-founded Push Pin Studios (changed to Pushpin Group in 1985), whose groundbreaking work altered the course of contemporary graphic communication in the 1950s and 1960s and continues to inspire the field of design around the world.Chwast’s work as a humorist has been clearly felt in this scathing collection of illustrative works.Sketches from his extensive portfolio of unpublished children’s books and cartoon work, such as karma for kats and 1001 beards, are accompanied by interviews with steven heller, which explore the motivations and process of chwast”.
[editor’s note: print’s steven heller did not participate in this book selection.]
Vintage Graphic Design: Type, Typography, Monograms & Decorative Design from the Late 19th & Early 20th Centuries by Steven Heller and Louise Fili
from the editor: “any type of user and enthusiast will certainly enjoy the lettering and embellishments in vintage graphic design, collected from the rare and forgotten fonts that authors steven heller and louise fili have collected over the years years.As typeface gourmets, Heller and Fili enjoy many forms, especially aesthetically idiosyncratic ones and print artifacts of which historic or retro typefaces are examples.A period of rapid innovation and growth in printing and letterpress technology, In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, type foundries in Europe and America became sources of bold compositions and dazzling typefaces. However, this is not a history book; rather, it is a sampling of tasty typographic candy or so-called eye candy.the curated selection here reflects print material from this era, including archival painterly cutouts, borders filigree and cartridges galore”.
[editor’s note: print’s steven heller did not participate in this book selection.]
What is Color? 50 Questions and Answers on the Science of Color by Arielle Eckstut and Joann Eckstut
from the editor: “arielle and joann eckstut, authors of the secret language of color, offer a thoughtful, highly visual and enjoyable exploration of the science of color. organized by 50 of the most essential questions about color in a variety of fields : physics, chemistry, biology, technology, and psychology, this book examines how and why we see color; how color is related to light; what the real primary colors are; how biology, language, and culture affect colors what we see, and much more. Packed with clear and elegant infographics, What Is Color? is a must-have for artists and designers, scientists, students and decorators, and anyone else whose work or play involves color.”
Read more about printing here.
See Also: 12 Best Focus Books to Read in 2022