Needing a portfolio for an upcoming interview, a recent architecture grad asked us to build this book around his work. We're planning to add custom portfolios to our product line in the coming months. See what you think!
Want more? See other custom portfolios here.
We recently bound this incredible graphic design portfolio for local designer Kelly Kerwick. We bound archival printed pages {printed by our friends at Pushdot Studio} with a debossed cover {by Grossenbacher Bros.} into a coptic-bound book complete with clamshell box. The results of all that collaboration are magnificent. Kelly is pleased and so are we. {See her photos of this portfolio.}
{Want more? See other binding styles. See more clamshell boxes. See some clam shell styles.}
When clients ask us to create a book or portfolio, their book's content usually dictates its binding style. Below are some of the binding styles that we build most often, along with a short explanation of how they function.
When you think of a traditional hardcover book, this is the style you're likely thinking of. The spine is encased, the book opens to lie virtually flat, the presentation is traditional. However, photos and ephemera cannot be added to the book, or else it will fan, or "yawn" open.
We choose to make our product line using this binding style because the books lie flat, but can accommodate added dimensional ephemera and photos. The exposed spine stitching adds a decorative element.
A traditional Japanese binding style, Stab Binding is useful for binding flat (versus folded) pages into a book. Stab binding can accommodate photos, but only if spacers are added to the spine. This style of book doesn't lie flat when opened, but a longer horizontal dimension can minimize this issue.
Much like stab binding in structure, the difference with Post Binding is that posts can be removed so content can be added to the book. This style is great for portfolios with rotating content.
Just like it sounds, pages are folded into an accordion, a cover is added to both ends, and the book can be held closed with a ribbon. A fun binding style, accordions are great for guest books as they can be laid open across a table and multiple people can sign at once. Photos can be added to accordion books, as they have no spine.
One of the oldest binding styles, coptic is different in that the signatures (folded page groups) are exposed on the spine of the book. These books open flat, photos cannot be added (or they will yawn), but the knotted sewing threads have a wonderful look to them.
Whew! That's it for now. Coming soon, Handmade Box Structures! (For now, you can check out our post on Clamshell Boxes.)
We just sent off this gorgeous album for photographer Sooke Aavang yesterday. Sooke provided us with printed pages, and we created a Western Case Bound book and slipcase. We love how her images and the cloth and paper colors play off one another to create an almost ethereal feeling for her book. Thanks, Sooke!
We just finished up this 7" square album for A Girl in Love Photography today. These books work so well for portrait sessions - this one has the same number of pages as our 7" square trifold album, so it holds 24 4x6 photos perfectly. Also, the persimmon cloth matches this senior's school colors. We're looking forward to seeing how other people will use these books.
See more albums with photo prints. Check out other binding styles.