This section is designed to answer many of the questions that people frequently have about book binding and the book binding process. If you have any questions that aren't addressed here please do not hesitate to contact me.

What is a Design Binding?
A Design Binding is a hand bound book created with a certain binding style and overall cover design in mind. Sometimes these books have blank pages meant for photographs or sketches and writing, and sometimes these bindings involve taking a pre-printed textblock and creating a cover design reflective of the contents of the pages.

What is a Book Object?
I call my sculptural art books, Book Objects. Some artists choose to call work of this kind, Artists Books. Artists Books as an art form, where the artist is responsible for the interior as well as the exterior, came about decades ago. The term Artist Book has come to encompass many variations on its original form. I prefer Book Objects because I believe the term is intriguing. It makes one want to know more, to pick it up and hold it, to open its pages and see what it has to say. My Book Objects have their own form, too, which is seldom the traditional rectangular book form.

How are the designs created on the Design Bindings and Book Jackets?
After binding and covering a book in leather, I create the cover designs usually using leather onlays (although sometimes other material besides leather could be used). Onlays are created using a special tool to shave the leather thinner and thinner until you can see light through it. The thinned leather is cut into the desired shapes (the drawing is done on tracing paper first). Onlays are then glued onto the book cover. I wet the leather and use a heated brass tool to create dark outlines to enhance the design. This is called blind tooling.

How much does it cost to commission a Design Binding?
The cost of each individually created piece depends on the materials and the time involved in creation of the work. The size and complexity of the design work is also figured into the final cost. Handbound books take more time and usually use better material then machine made books. Unlike a machine, I give particular attention to each book as I am working on it.

To give a rough idea of costs, large (10"x13") full leather albums with no design start at $400. Rebinding of books start at $200. I create boxes in cloth or leather and these start at $100 for a small cloth box. These prices are only to give you a basic idea of the cost of custom binding work. Each book is different and price will be calculated individually. Please contact me to discuss the cost of your book.


How do I commission a book?
To commission a book, whether a new photograph album or rebinding an old book, contact me and give me as many details as possible. I will then draw up a contract with a price estimate for you to review. You either sign the contract and return it to me or, if you'd like to make some changes, we can discuss these and I'll adjust the contract accordingly. Once all the details are agreed upon, I require a 50% deposit and will use this to order the materials and begin work. At the completion of the work I will calculate shipping costs and request the remaining balance plus shipping for the item. Upon receipt of this I will send you your custom-made handbound book.