How to Relax

Custom Leather Book

How to Relax

About the Project

This year kicked off with a fantastic project that was commissioned as a gift for the author! In early January, I received an email asking if I’d be willing/able to create a one-of-a-kind edition, designed specifically with the author in mind.

I am always thrilled to get work like this because I have always felt that this is one of the foundational motivators for me as a bookbinder. I work on countless books throughout my day, often for personal libraries of special collectors. While it does not happen very often, I personally love creating special books for the authors who wrote them. There is something hermetically balanced about doing this and I always derive great joy in the finished work.

Design

project-How to Relax-img

Methods

The client wanted to choose an image that represented peace and tranquility, without distracting too much from the book itself. We chose a Hammock since it is nearly universally seen as relaxing.

I worked up a simple design on Photoshop and had it cast into a custom stamp. With 21-st century technology, nearly any design is possible for leather stamping!

The intended recipient’s favorite color is Red, so we chose a fantastically dyed Morocco from Russel’s Fine Leather, the premier supplier from the UK.

At first, the client was worried that the book would be too small for leather-binding. Coming in at just under 120 pages, this little pocket-sized book almost didn’t make the cut. However, I assured them that we could do it. The smallest book I have ever bound was <60 pages!

Boston Harbor Bookbindery www.bostonharborbooks.com How to Relax; Custom red leather book, designed and executed for the client’s personal library as one fo their all-time favorite books.

The final product turned out wonderfully! The red leather gave the book a dashingly smooth look while the gold stamp on the front added class and style.

With thick cover-boards, each cover adds a solid and sturdy feel to the pages. This translates well into the reader’s hand and operates spectacularly.

Interested?

Boston Harbor Bookbindery is experienced in designing custom, one-of-a-kind books for each client.

Whether you’d like to restore a family heirloom, re-bind a personal favorite, or print a book from scratch; we have just what you need to make your dreams a reality.

 

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A Wizard’s Journal

Custom Leather Book

A Wizard’s Journal

About the Project

This year kicked off with a fantastic project that was commissioned as a gift for the author! In early January, I received an email asking if I’d be willing/able to create a one-of-a-kind edition, designed specifically with the author in mind.

I am always thrilled to get work like this because I have always felt that this is one of the foundational motivators for me as a bookbinder. I work on countless books throughout my day, often for personal libraries of special collectors. While it does not happen very often, I personally love creating special books for the authors who wrote them. There is something hermetically balanced about doing this and I always derive great joy in the finished work.

Design

project-Wizard Journal-logo

Methods

This type of design is best expressed through gold-tooling, by way of a custom cast stamp. Working with a local engraver, we had to create a few different stamps to get the right size.

The dangers of working with designs that are highly detailed are that sometimes those details don’t transfer well to the leather. With any kind of heated-foil application, the metal tool/stamp needs to achieve full-contact with the leather. Any breaks in the line will translate into an incomplete design.

Working a fine Morocco leather, this little journal feels great in the hand. Soft and supple, it is certain to inspire thoughts of creativity!

One of the main reasons cuir-ciselé is often avoided is simply due because of how time-consuming it is.

While the design is relatively simple, drying and wetting the leather repeatedly takes a few days to fully work itself out.  The leather needs to be 100% dry before any coloring is applied.

The final product turned out wonderfully and the client was very happy. As a gift for her son’s birthday, it proved to be a magical experience. Thankfully, the family shared the video of him receiving his gift and it filled my heart with joy; a poignant reminder of why I became a bookbinder in the first place.

Interested?

Boston Harbor Bookbindery is experienced in designing custom, one-of-a-kind books for each client.

Whether you’d like to restore a family heirloom, re-bind a personal favorite, or print a book from scratch; we have just what you need to make your dreams a reality.

 

Contact

An Imperfect Light

Custom Leather Book

An Imperfect Light

About the Project

This year kicked off with a fantastic project that was commissioned as a gift for the author! In early January, I received an email asking if I’d be willing/able to create a one-of-a-kind edition, designed specifically with the author in mind.

I am always thrilled to get work like this because I have always felt that this is one of the foundational motivators for me as a bookbinder. I work on countless books throughout my day, often for personal libraries of special collectors. While it does not happen very often, I personally love creating special books for the authors who wrote them. There is something hermetically balanced about doing this and I always derive great joy in the finished work.

Design

project-Imperfect Light-piano1

Methods

To achieve this design, we rely on an old and seldom practiced technique in the worlds of both traditional & contemporary bookbinding: cuir-ciselé.

Working with veg-tanned sheepskin, we’d carve the design on the front cover, then dye it Forest Green. The client also requested a decorated border to be stamped on both the front and back covers.

One of the main reasons cuir-ciselé is often avoided is simply due because of how time-consuming it is.

While the design is relatively simple, drying and wetting the leather repeatedly takes a few days to fully work itself out.  The leather needs to be 100% dry before any coloring is applied.

The result was a book that was both elegant and tasteful, with a boldness that strikes character in any shelf it sits on. As a large-format book, approx 8.5″ x 11″, it sits well in the hand and feels lovely.

This book was commissioned as a gift for the author’s personal library. We were honored to work with the raw manuscript that the author worked on herself. She’d already sent the manuscript to her publisher for mass-production, however, this book was created as her own special edition.

Interested?

Boston Harbor Bookbindery is experienced in designing custom, one-of-a-kind books for each client.

Whether you’d like to restore a family heirloom, re-bind a personal favorite, or print a book from scratch; we have just what you need to make your dreams a reality.

 

Contact

Going to Wings

Green leather book with silk ribbon, custom made by Boston Harbor Bookbindery

Custom Leather Book

Going to Wings

About the Project

This year kicked off with a fantastic project that was commissioned as a gift for the author! In early January, I received an email asking if I’d be willing/able to create a one-of-a-kind edition, designed specifically with the author in mind.

I am always thrilled to get work like this because I have always felt that this is one of the foundational motivators for me as a bookbinder. I work on countless books throughout my day, often for personal libraries of special collectors. While it does not happen very often, I personally love creating special books for the authors who wrote them. There is something hermetically balanced about doing this and I always derive great joy in the finished work.

Design

Geometric illusion for custom book cover.

Methods

To achieve this design, we rely on an old and seldom practiced technique in the worlds of both traditional & contemporary bookbinding: cuir-ciselé.

Working with veg-tanned sheepskin, we’d carve the design on the front cover, then dye it Forest Green. The client also requested a decorated border to be stamped on both the front and back covers.

One of the main reasons cuir-ciselé is often avoided is simply due because of how time-consuming it is.

While the design is relatively simple, drying and wetting the leather repeatedly takes a few days to fully work itself out.  The leather needs to be 100% dry before any coloring is applied.

The final product is a fantastic combination of modern and classical methods. With a water-based Forest Green dye, we captured the depth and life of the skin with multiple layers of application. Finishing it off with an Atom wax gave the book a glorious shine that was both subtle and brilliant.

Interested?

Boston Harbor Bookbindery is experienced in designing custom, one-of-a-kind books for each client.

Whether you’d like to restore a family heirloom, re-bind a personal favorite, or print a book from scratch; we have just what you need to make your dreams a reality.

 

Contact