We’re pleased to report that the 13th issue of our biannual publication, The Bikepacking Journal, is hot off the press! If you’re interested in a behind-the-scenes look at its production, find a short video and a few photos from the printer in Germany here…

Video and photos by Josh Meissner

Seeking out the most compelling stories, working with writers, photographers, and artists to shape their pieces, and designing everything to fit into each 160-page issue of The Bikepacking Journal is a marathon that culminates with print day in Berlin twice a year. Even after more than a dozen issues, seeing it come to life on paper is an undeniably exhilarating experience. The 13th edition of The Bikepacking Journal is fresh off the press this week, and we wanted to share a little peek at the process of transforming it into something our Bikepacking Collective members can hold in their hands and enjoy with their morning coffee.

Contributing editor Josh Meissner was on site at the printer, and he and I worked together via WhatsApp messages, voice notes, and video calls to dial in each sheet’s adjustments to help the photos pop off the page as much as possible. He shot the video above just as the first test prints of the cover pages came out of the press. In it, our favorite print technician, Max, grabs a few sheets and gives them a first look, using the loupe to check out various elements in detail. Compared to the early days when I was going through a crash course in the world of offset printing, our adjustments are relatively minor these days, and the process is far more exciting than nerve-wracking. In all, we’re super happy with the quality of the final product, and as always, no expenses were spared in its production. With its super-high-quality paper, soft touch coating, metallic foil logo, and substantial size, we can’t wait to get this one out to members soon! Eagle-eyed readers will notice there’s no logo on the cover just yet, as that’s applied later in the process.

  • The Bikepacking Journal
  • The Bikepacking Journal
  • The Bikepacking Journal
  • The Bikepacking Journal
  • The Bikepacking Journal

If you’re not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective and don’t want to miss out on future issues of The Bikepacking Journal, you can get signed up here. By joining, you make all our work possible (including everything you see on the website and our YouTube channel). In addition to sustaining the site, you’ll also receive The Bikepacking Journal, are eligible for our Collective Rewards (we’ve given away hundreds to date), have exclusive access to discounts from 30+ great brands, and more.

A note for Bikepacking Collective members: There’s still time for you to update your address in advance of the new issue being shipped out to mailboxes around the world. If you need to make changes, please do so in your Member Account as soon as possible. Thanks, and happy reading!

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