Bookbinding
Bookbinding Services
There are many different styles and types of bookbinding, ranging from traditional book structures to more contemporary ones. Some of these examples are more elaborate—with their decorative covers bound in leather, silk, linen, or in some instances—regular fabric, which I have treated so it can be used as bookcloth. Underneath it all is a wide variety of sewing structures, passed down from bookbinders over the centuries. When planning and designing a binding, I like to consider the content or text itself, and draw certain elements and historic integrity into the structure, materials and overall design of each piece.
One of the things that I find so appealing and inspiring about bookbinding itself, is the skill and craftsmanship involved with doing it well. This is based on long-standing tradition that dates farther back than I care to count.
It inspires me to see a book from the 1500’s that is still intact and beautiful, or a book that has been built carefully with skill and pride—especially in this modern day.
Because of this adoration, all of my work is done by hand— with every small detail, every step of the way.
Whether it’s a custom-built box, a “one-off” (a one-of-a-kind binding) or a small edition, I enjoy the careful precision required to create beautiful, long-lasting pieces.
This was done on my hot foil-stamping machine.
I took the original design from a poster I’d printed, and I had Bill
from Bauer Engraving make a magnesium die for me. I simply sent
him an electronic file of my design and voila’. I can now use this
die on leather or cloth and it will last forever. Having Bill make these
dies has opened up a whole new level of custom design and work for me.