My Journey-My First Large, Handmade Book Order - Pt. 2
This is part two of a three part series on my first, large handmade book project. In part one, I detailed how I produced a 5 x 7 French link, writing journal. Today, I will detail the second journal I included in this package, a 4 x 6 sketch book.
For those of you who have been with me for a while, you remember how I used to sell printed signatures. Part of the process of ensuring the papers were short-grained left me a lot of off cuts. Perfectly good paper, but not suitable for traditional book sizes due to the grain direction. I still have a generous amount of this paper in my studio and I’m always looking for new ways to utilize it. (It is also available in my shop for sale, for those interested.)
This journal’s signatures were produced using the 6 x 9 sheets of this 60 lb. drawing paper. I cut the sheets down to 4 x 6, to compliment the size of the larger writing journal. I also decided, in order to complete the project in a timely manner, this sketchbook would need to be machine bound. I purchased a Akiles WireMac 2:1 Binding machine two years ago. And this was the perfect project to use for it. I wanted the sketchbook to be mobile, durable and lay flat.
For the covers, I used a silver metallic card stock, cut to size. To keep with the black, grey and neutral theme, I wanted a dark colored matte board for the back. Fortunately, I had sourced black backing board from Clearbags, that worked perfectly. They offer it in a variety of sizes, for easy project making. (I am not an affiliate. I just like the product.)
Each sketchbook was then punched and bound, by me, with a black Wire-O binding. This was, by far, the easiest and fastest part of the project.
Next up, in part 3, I’ll give all the details on the packaging. If you have any questions about anything discussed in any parts of the project, just leave a comment below. And if have not already, sign up for my email list, so you can be the first know when I post new projects to my blog.
Happy Book Binding!
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