The art of making books


TLA Media Ltd (PNG/Australia) and Regal Printing (Hong Kong/China) have announced a partnership to provide creative book and printing solutions in Papua New Guinea and Australia.

With decades of combined experience and knowledge, the two companies share a passion for bespoke book and print production for individuals and organisations wanting to make a statement.

Glenn Armstrong, Independent Publisher and Managing Director of TLA Media Ltd said that there has been a recent renaissance in the art of traditional book publishing: 

“Hard-case books are much more than a collection of words. They provide a tactile and immersive experience far beyond the bounds of digital media."

Maurice Kwan, Managing Director of Regal Printing Ltd, said that the partnership has been built over many years:

“Glenn Armstrong and I have worked closely together on many projects. We share the same passion and vision for books. We want to make our knowledge and experience available to a wider market in Australia and Papua New Guinea. We offer a service that extends beyond project management, to ideation and conceptualisation of the project itself.”

Past Collaborations

Armstrong and Kwan have collaborated on many books over many years. Their portfolio includes The Tonda and Charlie Lynn's 100 Treks Across the Kokoda Trail. They are currently finalising Ovu ga'hoe! The autobiography of Ricky Mitio, due for release in March 2025.

The photos (below) show Maurice Kwan and Glenn Armstrong during the printing of 100 Treks Across the Kokoda Trail (March 2020) and Ovu ga'hoe! (January 2025).


Regal Printing Showcase

Regal Printing has been at the forefront of book and creative print production since 1993. Here are examples of Regal Printing's capability and experience in creating astounding works of art.

1. Elton John commemorative book by Gucci

To commemorate superstar Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, Regal Printing was commissioned to produce and print a book and case featuring fabric by Gucci.


2. The Art of War by Sun Tzu, modern interpretation by James Trapp 

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese treatise from the 5th Century BC, considered a classic in military philosophy and strategy. Regal Printing produced the book in 2023, using traditional Chinese bookbinding techniques from the Ming Dynasty.

3. Ovu ga'hoe! The Autobiography of Ricky Mitio (due for release March 2025)

I hope you enjoy reading this autobiography of a man who is the son of a tribal warrior born in the Stone Age who later became a pioneer evangelist of the Lutheran Church despite being completely illiterate. Ricky Mitio was among the first people in the country to be educated, learn a foreign language, work for this new means of exchange called money, travel to all districts of the country, and explore five continents of the world. 

Ricky Mitio’s name is synonymous with the coffee industry in PNG. When he claims in this book that he is the Papa bilong PNG kopi, he is right. No one can dispute this or take it away from him. It will be his legacy until the end of the world.

(From Ovu ga'hoe! Foreword by Tiri Kuimbakul)

Edited by Glenn Armstrong and produced by TLA Media and Regal Printing, Ricky's 328pp book has a cloth-bound hard case with gold foil lettering and a dust cover featuring spot UV printing.

Talk to us about your next book project

Visit our website: www.tlamediagroup.com or Email: admin@tlamediagroup.com

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