custom bookbinding and boxmaking-as i make the things i make-

Fabric Covered Invitation Folders and Panels

2012-01-26T16:11:00.000-08:00

invitation panels with mounted invites

Mounting your printed invites to a fabric covered panel or folder can add texture, dimension and elegance to any invitation.
Recipients are sure to take your invite seriously when they find it in their mailbox. They'll feel as if they've received a special package rather than just another piece of mail.

Now, after many years of producing these fabric covered invitation folders and panels in the studio, they have finally been added to the easy to use online store. Prices start at just $4 per piece with a minimum order of 10 pieces (printed invites not included).

A9 fabric covered pocket folder with mounted invite and rsvp set

Panels and folders are available in 4 sizes that fit comfortably into A7, A9, #10 and square format 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" envelopes. Printed pieces can be easily mounted to panels and folders by using double sided tape, glue sticks, spray adhesive or adhesive rolls like GUDY.

Grape panel with mounted invite designed by PeachMailbox

All invitation presentation structures can be covered in one of the 37 fabric colors available. In addition, pocket folders are available and can be covered in a combination of up to 3 colors, one for the folder itself, one for the liner (back of the pocket) and one for the pocket.

Fabric swatches are encouraged and are available upon request. You can see the 37 colors here.

As with everything at kdbooks.com, folders and panels are all handmade in California and constructed with the highest attention to detail.

Custom sizes and colors are also available. To discuss a custom project or to get answers to any of your questions please contact the studio

The Portfolio for iPad is here

2011-10-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to be adding this new portfolio design to my website. Many artists and designers are finding that printed portfolios are no longer suitable for presenting their work. Thankfully new technology and streamline tablet designs have now made it possible to present this same work conveniently and efficiently in a digital format.

This drop spine flip top presentation box has a magnetic flap closure and can be custom made in one or two of the 37 colors available. As with all boxes and portfolios in the online store, the Portfolio for iPad can be personalized in a number of ways. Foil stamping and embossing of a name or logo are 2 of those options.

There are also many style and sizes of pockets that can be added to the inside lid liner. The Portfolio for iPad can viewed flat on a table or the cover can be inverted to create an easel. To see more details and photos of The Portfolio for iPad please visit the website.

Inlays Add a Splash of Color

2011-09-29T16:33:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share some photos of portfolios that I've made recently that use inlays to add compositional interest and a little splash of color to book covers. Using the inlay as a background for foil stamping is particularly effective but in the case of the Sila Portfolio and the Dionne Portfolio the inlays speak for themselves as simple colorful shapes. Inlays can be made in all geometric shapes and sizes and can be placed anywhere on the book's front or back cover. They can now be added to custom built portfolios in the online store. When ordering online I recommend sending a pdf for accurate size and placement of your inlay.

Amanda Portfolio

Sila Portfolio

Raymond Portfolio

Joshua Portfolio

Dionne Portfolio

Inkjet Printed Covers

2011-09-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

The inkjet experiment that I blogged about back in March has proven to be quite a success. In the past few months I've had the pleasure of working on several projects which called for the printing of large areas.

While it's been challenging getting the printer to accept the bookcloth, the actual printing has gone very smoothly and I've been very happy with the vibrancy of the colors.

It seems that, at this point, the only real limitation to the process is the size. My printer can accept a 13" wide piece of bookcloth which limits the size of the printed cover to 12". Fortunately the length is unlimited (I think). In most cases there are ways to work around this. For example on the blue-grey box pictured below I would normally use one large piece of cloth to wrap around the entire cover, spine and bottom, but in order to incorporate inkjet printing on a box that had a height if 13 3/4", I had to use 2 separate pieces, one for the spine and bottom and a second for the printed cover.

The lime green book pictured below has printing that wraps around the spine and onto the back of the book. For this, since the height of the book was only 11 3/4", I was able to use a very long piece of fabric, over 35", but with proper planning and registration it worked out perfectly.

Inkjet printing is a very cost effective way to personalize limited run projects and once I determine that pricing structure and create downloadable templates this option will be available in the online store. Until then please contact me directly if you are interested in having a custom portfolio, book or box made with printed covers. You can always visit the custom showroom of the website to see more details on these and other custom projects.

Large Format Portfolios

2011-09-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

Large format portfolios are now available online. There are 3 new standard sizes;
13 x 19 landscape
19 x 13 portrait
20 x 15 portrait

Each style of portfolio; hidden screw post, exposed screw post and coffee table, can be ordered in these larger sizes and all are customizable with one or two of the 37 colors of bookcloth.

Hinged pages and hinge strips are also available for each of these sizes.

If you need a size that is not offered on the website please call or email to discuss placing an order for a custom sized portfolio.

www.kdbooks.com

Tips for Transporting and Shipping your Portfolio

2011-08-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

You've spent countless hours and a nice chunk of change putting together the perfect portfolio presentation and now it's time to show the world what you have to offer. At this point the last thing you want is to have your portfolio mishandled and damaged in it's travels.

Fortunately this has only happened to one of my clients (that I know of) but it was devastating enough that I felt it was important to share some tips to ensure the safe delivery and return of your portfolio. While this post focuses on the shipping of portfolios, it also applies to transporting your portfolio to face to face meetings. Accidents happen and while you probably feel confident hand carrying your portfolio to visit potential clients, you can't always prevent unexpected events. It could be bumped around in the car on the way to the meeting or someone could brush your arm the wrong way and cause you to drop it. For this reason it's always best to overprotect your portfolio.

damaged box

Treat your portfolio as you would the art that it holds. Our portfolios are extremely sturdy and well built but they are presentation pieces that need to be protected. For this reason I recommend that your portfolio is packed with extra care and more padding than you think it needs. UPS and FEDEX do a great job but they don't know or care what's inside the boxes they are delivering and Handle with Care tags do little to change the way that packages are treated.

perforated foam

One of the simplest and least costly ways to create an appropriate shipping container is to start with a basic cardboard box that is at least 4" larger than your portfolio in all directions. Since you are trying to make a good first impression be sure to use a clean, new, unmarked box. Purchase some heavy duty foam from a shipping supply company or a foam company. The Foam Factory sells perforated foam sheets, called Pick and Pluck. The perforation allows you to create any sized cutout in the foam. Use this in combination with solid foam pieces to create a form fitting nest around your portfolio. Choosing foam over paper or bubblewrap is preferable for a few reasons; it makes it easier for your potential client to re-pack the box for return shipping, it looks much cleaner than bunched up pieces of paper and it prevents the portfolio from shifting during shipping.

If you have a bit more to invest, there are many companies that offer standard and custom made hard shipping cases. Many of these are marketed as computer or instrument cases but can be used for just about anything. Take a look at Janal Cases, Quick Cases and Pelican Cases for some possibilities. Many of these are crush and waterproof and come with a lifetime guarantee. You've invested a lot in creating your portfolio so it's a good idea to invest just a little more to protect it. If you have any questions or would like further recommendations please don't hesitate to call.

Quickcases

Janal Cases

3 New Colors

2011-07-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

While I was disappointed to have to remove Metallic Aqua from the color chart a few months ago, I am very excited to be adding 3 new colors to the covering options for custom portfolios and boxes.

There are now 37 colors to choose from so everyone is sure to find a color combination that is suitable for their project.

The new colors are Avocado, Orange and Metallic Midnight. If you'd like to see swatches of these or any of the other colors please call or email with your request and they will be sent out the next business day.

Printing on Bookcloth

2011-03-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

photo album with printed cover

Many years back I did a personal photo book project in which I printed onto a grey bookcloth and really liked the results. The process and it's possibilities have been in the back of my head ever since.

Another, more recent, personal project allowed me to do some further testing. I designed a CD cover for a friend who really liked the look of the foil stamping that I do onto bookcovers and so requested that I somehow incorporate that look into the design. Again I loved the printing, particularly how the softness, created as the fabric absorbs the ink, contrasts with the sharp saturated marks of the foil stamping.

photo book with printed cover

The past couple of weeks have been particularly busy here at the studio but I was determined to find time to create a donation for my niece's school auction. I'd been wanting to experiment more with inkjet printing onto bookcloth and this was the perfect opportunity so I made a scrapbook style photo album with a tree design printed on the cover. It is a fairly low contrast design, with a dark brownish grey printed onto a light brown cloth. To me it feels very atmospheric, like I'm standing on a mountain looking down into a misty forest. I also made a clamshell box to hold this album. The box is covered in the same light brown fabric but it's brightened up a bit with burnt orange accents. In the bottom of the box I created a well that can hold a 1" stack of the photos that don't make it into the album.

CD artwork printed on bookcloth with yellow foil stamping

In each of these cases I printed onto Iris bookcloth which is a linen style cloth with very little texture so I'd like to move on to some other textures and incorporate some color. I also addressed the issue of the ink running if it gets wet by coating the fabric with a spray varnish. It didn't affect the color, texture or gloss but did prevent the water from reaching the ink. As soon as I find some time, I will move forward with some experimenting. I'll report back, hopefully soon, with the result and if all goes well I hope to add this option for portfolios and boxes in the online store and for custom projects as well.

the printed cloth

album block and album case

uncovered clamshell box tray

finished clamshell box with album

finished clamshell box with well and ribbon lift

Introducing Hinge Strips

2011-03-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

Another item that I've been getting a lot of requests for is hinge strips. Many of my clients print their own portfolio pages and use the templates that I include with all portfolio orders to punch the holes for the screw posts. This works out great but in the case where a client wants to use a heavier weight paper the issue of page turning always comes up. Lighter weight papers turn just fine on their own when put into screwpost books but when you get past about an 80lb paper the page will want to spring back which makes the portfolio viewing less than a perfect experience. Scoring the page where it will fold is a good solution to this but it isn't ideal.

The hinge strips that are now available in the online store are essentially like my hinged pages only without the page attached. I start with a strip of 100lb paper and adhere a 1" strip of thin starched fabric to that. Then, leaving a 1/4" gap or gutter, a 1/4" wide layer of adhesive is laid down along the outer edge of the fabric. The paper strip gets hole punched and bound by the screw posts.

There is a release paper on top of the adhesive strip that gets peeled off so that the printed page or photograph can be securely attached. When the page is turned, only 1/4" of the back of the page is covered by the fabric hinge and the pages turn with ease and lay completely flat.

Hinge strips are available in both black and white and in 8 1/2", 11", 12", 14" and 17" lengths.

See hinge strips on the kdbooks website.

Slipcases are here

2011-03-04T14:27:00.000-08:00

Over the past year I've received many requests to add slipcases to the website and now, with the launch of the new site, they can be ordered online. As with all of the portfolios and presentation boxes available online, the slipcases can be covered in any of the 35 linen or metallic fabrics.

At the time of ordering, it is important to know the thickness of the stack of pages going into your portfolio otherwise the slipcase will not fit properly. To get an accurate measurement, stack up the pages along with anything being mounted to them and place your ruler at the thickest point of that stack. You will choose this measurement from a drop down menu when you place your order. This will be added to the thickness of the portfolio itself to ensure a proper fit for the slipcase. If you are ordering either the hinges pages or the polypropylene sheet protectors along with your portfolio you should just measure the materials that you'll be inserting or mounting.

You can find more information about slipcase here: http://kdbooks.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=40_46

NEW WEBSITE

2011-02-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

The new site has officially launched. It's a more lively and user friendly site. Have a look and please send us your feedback. www.kdbooks.com

That extra punch with 2 Color Foil Stamping

2011-01-24T11:16:00.000-08:00

To add a bit of extra pizzazz to your portfolio consider a 2 color foil stamping of your logo.

This is a portrait format 11 x 8 1/2 hidden screw post portfolio with a spine cover. This portfolio is a great example of a very simple design that delivers a big punch.

The logo really makes a statement on the red fabric cover because of the splash of light blue next to the white.

In order to do a 2 color foil stamping using just 1 logo die, the blocks of color need to have at least 1/16th of an inch between them.

This option will be available in the new online store soon.

Making it your own

2011-01-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

This green exposed screw post portfolio is one that I recently shipped out and is one that I am particularly fond of. It is a terrific example of how the online store can be used to create a truly one of a kind portfolio.

This is a landscape format 11 x 14 exposed screw post portfolio covered in "bright green" fabric. Dante sent me the printed paper that she wanted to use for the endsheets and a pdf of how she wanted everything laid out including the position of her name. The foil stamping was done along the foredge in matte silver using Font #9. Both, the round business card pocket and the vertical pocket, are standard sized pockets that can be ordered online. She chose to cover them in "confederate" fabric to match the scales on the endsheets.

Quite often portfolios tend toward the subtle and conservative, and for good reason, but when the situation permits, make yours stand out from the crowd by being creative with the color and embellishment options. You can always call or email to see if your ideas are possible before you place your order, more than likely they are. You can start building your portfolio online now http://kdbooks.com/store/

Favorites from 2010

2011-01-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

Portfolio Books and Box set for Graphic Designer Eileen Hu

Invitation Binder Set for Fig. 2 Design Studio

Stab Bound Movie Script

Hidden Screw Post Portfolio with Spine Cover and Foil Stamping.
Ordered in the Online Store

Half Clamshell Box with Magnetic Closure with Embossed Logo
Ordered in the Online Store

Exposed Screw Post Portfolio and Half Clamshell Box with Angled
Magnetic Flap Closure with Embossing and Foil Stamping

Coffee table Style Portfolio with Foil Stamping on Cover and Spine
Ordered in the Online Store

Coffee Table Style Portfolio with Foil Stamping
Ordered in the Online Store

Folding Framed Image Panel for photographer Sandy Chandler

Refreshing Colors

2010-11-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

Today I did some foil stamping trials for a new project I'm working on with an invitation designer in Bethesda Maryland. Claudia Smith of Fig. 2 Design made my day when she chose Lime, Bright Yellow and Pool to cover her invitation binders.

This afternoon I was thrilled when I saw the white foil popping off of these brightly colored fabrics. The foil stamping will be combined with some letterpress printed insets to title the spines and covers of the trio of binders.

These are sure to grab the attention of the brides and grooms browsing through the field of possibilities at their local invitation boutique.

Look for pictures of the finished binders on the blog as soon as they are complete.

To learn more about Fig. 2 Design please visit the beautifully designed website

And to see other invitation binders and presentation pieces that have been made here at the studio visit the custom showroom at kdbooks.com.

8 New Colors

2010-10-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

There are 8 exciting new covering materials available for your portfolios and boxes; Grey Brown, Ivory, Saddle, Rust, Bright Pink, Dark Green, Bright Green and Grape.

Start building your portfolio today in the online store.

New Portfolio Design

2010-10-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to be offering a new portfolio design in the online store. With it's super clean solid lines, this portfolio is something you'll be proud to show off. I'm calling it the coffee table style book because it has the look of a hard cover art book that you could leave out on display at your home or office. When combined with foil stamping or embossing of your name or logo, this design has a strikingly professional look. It also maintains the flexibility of the other designs. This portfolio uses screw posts so you can easily swap pages in and out and can even replace pages with spine spacers if you decide to display fewer pages. I recommend ordering your portfolio to fit the maximum number of pages that you would possibly include, as fixed spine books can accommodate no more than the number of pages that they are designed to hold.

You can insert your own printed pages by using the included template for hole punching or you can purchase black or white hinged pages in the online store. These can be used for mounting photographs or other printed material.

Please visit the website for more details and to see the many size and color options available for this portfolio.

The Jet Box

2010-09-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

There are some projects that I just don't want to let go of. Today I shipped out one such project. It was a very special jewelry box that has come to be know as "the jet box". I had such a hard time letting this one go because I've spent so much time and energy designing and building it over the past month.

The client is a newport beach CA based luxury jeweler (not called Ologon as the label may suggest) and the assignment was to build a traveling jewelry box that could be carried aboard a private jet for the passengers to browse through. It had to have 5 drawers of differing depths, a matching removable mirror, a pocket for printed materials, a secure closure, a handle and it had to be covered in this metallic silver bookcloth that I've been using for all of the other presentation pieces that I've made for this client.

There are a lot of components involved here and they all need to fit precisely together so this had to be built one piece at a time from the inside out.

I started with the drawers. The first step was to build simple square trays covered inside and out in the silver bookcloth. At this point I couldn't add the facades because I needed to know how the drawers would sit in their cases and take precise measurements from there. The facades needed to line up perfectly.

The next step was to create the case for the drawers. Working with bookboard and glue is entirely different than working with wood and nails so it wasn't going to be as simple as building one large box with runners for each of the five drawers. The drawers need more support than that. Each drawer needed to have it's own box that it could slide in and out of so I essentially built a lined slipcase for each drawer, covered the front edges in the silver bookcloth and then stacked them up, glued them and pressed them. In the very top section I had to cut out 2 squares so that the screws and washers that secure the handle would be recessed, otherwise the drawer wouldn't open completely.

At this point the facades could be made. They needed to cleanly cover all the edges of the slipcases so that when looking at the open jet box all you'll see is drawers and none of the structure holding them. Considering this box would be on a jet, the finished product couldn't be too bulky, it needed to take up as little space as possible so knobs and handles weren't an option. I decided to go with notched pulls, they don't take up any space and seem to work well with the overall simplicity of the design.

Next I built a large sturdy double walled box to hold the stack of drawers. Knowing that the completed jet box with all the jewelry inside would be quite heavy, I didn't trust that the double layer of bookboard on top could support all that weight. I did a test by stacking bricks inside of the box and lifting it up by the top. This determined that more support would be needed so I added a piece of 1/4" plywood and wrapped it and the seams with fabric and this absolutely did the trick. I did a second test with even more bricks and it held up very well with no bowing at all. The only parts of this component that will be seen are the 1/4" front edges so I wrapped them with the silver bookcloth.

I then created a cover to surround this large box. The cover wraps around 3 sides and has a door at the front and a flap that attaches to the right side of the box with super strong hidden neodymium magnets. These are sure to keep the box closed even in turbulence. On the inside of the door is a liner with a pocket to hold the printed material. For the finishing touch, both the door and the liner have small insets where an engraved plate with the company's logo will be placed. I then glued the cover to the large box one side at a time, made liners for the top and bottom of the box, glued them on and then measured very very carefully for the handle placement and then drilled the holes for the handle screws. At this point I thought I was home free but soon realized there was one thing that I didn't consider, how was I going to fit a screw driver into a 1" space? Back at the hardware store, the problem was quickly resolved when I saw the allen keys. I could use socket screws with an L shaped allen key. This was a great solution but wouldn't have worked for anyone with hands larger than mine, there was just enough space.

Lastly for the mirror I decided on a folder structure that when opened would reveal the framed mirror. I secured ribbons on either end so that when the folder was folded back onto itself, the ribbons could be tied and the mirror could stand up on it's own in an A frame style on top of the Jet Box. All the bases were covered and I finished the job feeling very satisfied. It isn't every day that I have to design a jet box but it sure was an exciting challenge.....I'm already looking forward to the next one.

To see more of the custom work that has come out of the studio please visit the custom showroom at www.kdbooks.com

Fabulous Invitation Boxes and Folders

2010-09-27T12:37:00.000-07:00

It's all about presentation here at Kristin Dunn bookbinding & design and it's not limited to portfolios. Creating striking custom invitation presentations is on the top of our list.

When a wedding invitation needs to go above and beyond the typical, then our custom made cloth covered boxes, folders and panels are sure deliver that extra WOW factor.

Boxes, folders and panels can be made in any size and quantity and with any combination of embellishments including pockets, ribbons, embossing and foil stamping. From smooth linens to vibrant textures, there are hundreds of cloths to choose from and we are always happy to send out swatches to ensure that the perfect covering material is chosen.

Invitation folders can be designed to fit into any standard sized envelope or shipping container. One of the favorites is the A7 favor boxes from Paper Source, they come in a number of colors and are the perfect size for dropping in the mail. We can also build the custom invitation boxes to fit into these fabulous favor boxes. Another shipping option for the invitation boxes is these Tab Lock Tuck Top Mailing Boxes that are available in a variety of sizes from most shipping supply companies.

While we do not do any graphic design or printing, we do work very closely with invitation designers to create exquisite wedding invitation sets that pair the printed pieces with gorgeous cloth covered boxes and folders. Whether the invitations are being sent to 10 people or to 200 people, we can work with you to create an invitation presentation that the bride and groom and their guests will never forget.

If you are an invitation designer and are interested in what we offer, please contact us with your questions. We do offer a binder that is filled with pages of swatches, images of structures and embellishments and pricing. The cost of the binder is refundable in increments starting with your first order.

If you are a bride or groom please ask your invitation designer to contact us.

The quality of our custom handmade boxes and folders as well as our service to you is unmatched in the industry and goes far beyond what you will receive when working with the mass producing overseas companies.

Stunning Business Proposals

2010-09-22T13:06:00.001-07:00

Make your next proposal stand out in the crowd. Why just submit a proposal in a standard office store folder when you can have a custom made presentation that is sure to turn heads.

The photo on the above left is a business proposal that includes two coil bound pamphlets, a cd and a memory stick. The outside is covered in a tan bookcloth and the 4 pockets are covered in a olive green bookcloth. The pockets are made with hard edges to allow the 1/4" thick pamphlets to slide in and out comfortably. An inset was created in the cover for the company logo. The logo was printed out on high quality heavy stock paper, mounted onto a metallic gold paper and then placed in the inset for a nice clean professional look. 7 identical folders were made to send out to all parties considering the proposal.

The proposal package on the below left is a hidden screw post portfolio in landscape format. This horizontal format works best when using standard 8 1/2 x 11 pages as the pages are easier to turn. A pocket for the company's business card was included on the inside cover. This job proposal is covered entirely in a tan bookcloth and uses only the burnt orange from the business card and cover inset to add a splash of color.

Both of these proposal folders were custom orders but we're working on some designs to offer in the online store so stay tuned and visit the website often and follow Kristin Dunn bookbinding & design on facebook to see the latest news from the studio. Until then please call to discuss some ideas for your next business proposal.

Spine Covers now available in the online store

2010-09-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for the look of a hard bound coffee table style book but still need the flexibility to add and subtract pages from your portfolio, then this spine cover is a perfect solution. The spine cover is a "U" shaped channel that hides the spine edge of your portfolio pages and is sandwiched between the front and back covers.

It can be built to accommodate any thickness of pages. You should consider the maximum thickness of pages that you will be putting into your portfolio when determining the width of the spine cover. You will still be able to use this spine cover if you decrease the thickness of pages by up to 1/8" without noticing a big difference. However if you increase the thickness of your pages, you will need to order a larger width.

To determine which size spine cover is appropriate for your portfolio, stack your prepared pages, including any spine spacers and measure the thickness on the left hand side where they will be bound. Please call or email if you are unsure which size to order. Visit the website at www.kdbooks.com or go straight to the listing to find out more about spine covers.

Large Format Print Portfolios

2010-06-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

I just finished this exciting project with Bobby Namba of Trapeze Editions. It was an edition of large format, 18 x 14 folios to house a set of 3 prints from LA based artist David Choe. The folios were covered in a slightly metallic black bookcloth and were then beautifully screen printed in silver or gold depending. The inside left panel was covered in a heavyweight drawing paper where the artist will create an original drawing for each folio. The right inside panel is finished with a matte black bookcloth and accented with metallic corners that secure the prints.

These limited edition folios are being sold by Trapeze Editions and can be seen, along with details of the artwork, in their website store.

New Round Portfolio Pockets

2010-06-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Just added to the site! A new way to express yourself through your portfolio. Now you can choose from horizontal, vertical, diagonal and round pockets. The small pockets are perfect for storing your business cards and the larger ones for unbound materials such as resumes and other leave behind literature. These pockets can be added to the inner liners of portfolios and clamshell boxes and can be covered in any of 27 color options.

Visit www.kdbooks.com to see all of the options.

Metallic Portfolios and Boxes

2010-06-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

These coated metallic fabrics give a stunning finish to custom portfolios and boxes and they are now available as covering choices in the online store. There are 7 colors to choose from, light gold, pearl, lava, aqua, steel, pewter and silver. Shown here is a light gold clamshell box, a pearl notched clamshell box and a lava exposed screw post portfolio. They are photographed on the aqua.

Not only is this covering material beautiful, it's also very durable. Because it's a coated fabric, liquid will not penetrate it as it does the linen cloth. It can be gently wiped down with a damp cloth to remove dust and it also resists scuffing. If you're interested in seeing swatches before ordering please send an email with your address and I'll send them your way.

A new way to personalize your portfolio

2010-04-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Now you can order your portfolio with a custom sized inset to mount photos, printed logos, title cards and other printed pieces on the cover.

This a terrific, affordable and virtually limitless way to personalize your portfolio. Foils stamping and embossing are beautiful and very professional looking but the costs can add up and the process limits the color that can be used. With insets you can print out your logo or design in full color on the paper of your choice and simply mount it into the clean edged inset.

You may also mail your piece to the studio and it will be adhered to the portfolio of box at no extra charge. Visit the online store to get started http://kdbooks.com/store/

Wooden portfolios are here!

2010-04-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

Exposed Screw Post Wooden Portfolios are now available in the online store. I will be adding Hidden Screw Post version soon as well as a larger variety of woods and finishes.

Take a look!

http://kdbooks.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=39&product_id=95

Wooden portfolios available online soon!

2010-03-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

I've been getting many requests for wooden portfolios recently and because of the high level of interest I will be adding some standard sizes to the online store very soon, hopefully by mid April. The portfolios will be available in the same 7 sizes that the bookcloth versions are and to start will be offered in 3 different woods, most likely walnut, ash and teak and 3 finishes. The ordering process will be simple and foil stamping, colored cloth liners and pockets can be added to any wooden portfolio. The standard hinged pages as well as polypropylene pages will fit these as well. Stayed tuned and check back soon.

jazz up your applications in 2010

2010-01-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

If you're searching for jobs or applying to grad school programs and you want your application to stand out from the rest, what better way to catch their eye than presenting them with a striking personalized portfolio loaded with your credentials. When they open the package and see your name emblazoned on the cover of a professionally made portfolio they will know that you are serious and are sure to remember your name. There will be a lot of information inside the portfolio that needs to be the real star of the presentation so keeping the portfolio design clean and simple is the best choice in this case. Choose colors that say something about yourself, your work, or even the institution that you are applying to. There are 11 fonts available in a variety of sizes and styles that can be used for personalizing your portfolio. For a subtle approach, a blind emboss of your name in the bottom right corner of the cover would be a great choice. If you want to add some color and make your name stand out a bit more, then choose one of the 10 colors available and opt for a dead center or optical center placement. All of these options are available in the online store at www.kdbooks.com.

FONTS & COLORS

2010-01-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

Take a look at these new fonts & colors available for personalizing your custom portfolios and boxes. There will be more embossing and foil stamping options added throughout the year so check back often.

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T17:34:00.001-08:00

I am excited to announce the launch of a new online store at kdbooks.com. It offers a large selection of semi custom screw post portfolios, ring binders and presentation boxes. Each design is available in a number of standard sizes and can be customized by making selections from various drop down menus. At this time there are 20 bookcloth colors to choose from however many more will be added in the near future. A portfolio can be covered entirely in one color or a second color can be chosen for the inner liners. Each structure can also be customized by adding any number of pockets or personalized with embossing and foil stamping. Take a look at the new site, your feedback will be appreciated.

Big Box

2009-10-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

This is the largest box I've made to date and I'm really excited about the possibilities it has opened up. I had always seen the 38" x 26" dimensions of the bookboard as the limit. After watching a home improvement show about how laminated plywood beams are made I decided that more than likely those limits didn't exist. For each of the 11 pieces that make up the structure of the box, I cut 4 strips of .059 bookboard and laminated them, overlapping the seams of each. The box measure 42" long, so I used one piece of 38" and one piece of 4 1/2" and reversed the placement on each layer. After the glue had dried I trimmed the ends down to the proper length. This produced a super strong and stable piece of bookboard that I knew could support the weight of the finished box. Since the box is so large it was important to build it with 1/4" walls, standard 1/8" walls would have made for a very flimsy and unwieldy structure. Trimming the pieces was a bit tricky. As with the pieces of any box it is so important that they are cut at perfect 90 degree angles through their width. 1/4" thick pieces do not fit into the board cutter so they are all hand cut. It takes a real steady hand and perfect attention to keep the blade straight when cutting through that thickness. Once all the pieces were finally trimmed and glued, I covered the box in a lime green linen cloth and lined the trays with a deep wine colored Dupioni silk. I really like this color combination and am very happy with the finished product. I'm looking forward to applying this new technique to the creation of some unique and impressive custom portfolio and presentation pieces.

NEW STUDIO

2009-10-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about my recent move to a much larger studio. It feels good to spread out and have more space around my equipment. I'm still trying to get everything in order and figure out the best way to use the space. More than likely I'll move things around before I'm satisfied but here are some photos as things are for the moment. I'm looking forward to taking on some new, exciting and larger projects as the year winds down.

Photographer's Portfolio

2009-09-24T16:12:00.000-07:00

Long Beach photographer Wes Kroninger found me through this blog and was surprised to find that I was only 1 mile from his office. After a few visits to my studio and some time living with fabric swatches and foil stamping samples, Wes decided to go with a black hidden screw post portfolio and slipcase set with a subtle foil stamped logo in the bottom right corner. The foil stamping turned out great. Since the letters in his logo had plenty of space between them, I was able to use 2 different colors with just one die. The grey inner liner behind the pocket matched well with the logo and connected the outside and inside of the presentation together. I really like the the matte black "WK" that Wes chose to put on the portfolio's spine. It's these very small details that often make all the difference.

You can visit Wes Kroninger's website here and his blog here.

Unrequited

2009-08-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

This was a fun project but I have to say I was a bit hesitant when my client said that he wanted his book printed on parchment. The thought of cutting, folding and stitching animal skin made my pescatarian stomach a bit uneasy, but I decided I was up for the challenge.

After the book layout was complete, the paper was purchased from Pergamena in New York, sent out to a printing company that specializes in printing on parchment and then shipped to me in Long Beach. When it arrived at the studio, I cautiously opened the package and was surprisingly delighted at what I saw. Each page was unique and beautiful with varying textures and colors, no two were alike.

Of course working with parchment is nothing like working with paper so it was a learning process, fortunately a smooth one. Each sheet had to be trimmed carefully as the printing was not consistently in the same place on each sheet. Then each sheet was scored, folded and pressed overnight. Next the signatures were collated, station holes punched and finally the book block was stitched, glued up, pressed again and then into the guillotine for a final trimming. The client wanted suede endsheets with a decorative border stitching. He also wanted the endsheets to be one continuous piece so I cut the suede to fit the bookblock, ran it through the sewing machine for the decorative stitching and then stitched the suede wrap to the bookblock.

The raised ligature on the front cover was hand cut and then carefully covered in a dark brown leather. The book's title, "Unrequited" was foil stamped on the spine in 22K gold on the Kwikprint and finally the bookblock was cased in, pressed for a few days and turned over to a very happy client who then passed the gift on to it's intended recipient.

Architectural Photographer's Portfolio

2009-07-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

This was the second run of Los Angeles based photographer Lawrence Anderson's portfolio so I decided to record a little of the action this time.

The development of this portfolio was quite involved and required the coordination of many designers and craftspeople. Every

aspect of the presentation, from the printing and paper choice to the durability and appropriateness of the shipping containers was considered. It was a fun process which resulted in an extraordinary presentation of Lawrence's work that has seen nothing but rave reviews from it's recipients.

At the core of this piece are two hefty and beautifully printed stacks of 13 x 13 images. Each stack slides into a diagonal hard edged pocket that has a birch veneer backing. The pocket is secured inside of a folder that is covered in a rich dark blue textured Japanese bookcloth. Each folder has the Anderson logo embossed on its cover.

The two folders then fit into the notched tray of a drop spine box. The notch in the tray is angled to match the inner pockets and allows for the folders to be lifted out. At the bottom of this tray is a repeat of the veneer liner that is the pocket back. The box is covered in the same dark blue fabric as the folders and has a smooth linen cornflower accent color on the flap and around the tray. The box stays securely closed with magnets that are hidden in the bright blue flap that is angled at the same degree as the notch in the tray and the pockets in the folders. A smaller version of the Anderson logo is embossed on the box cover along the edge of the angled flap.

The top left photo shows the box tray and cover as separate unlined pieces before they are glued together. The top right image is the embossing of the logo. The bottom left is gluing the veneer liner into the bottom of the box tray and finally gluing the angled liner onto the inside of the magnetic flap. Once all of the pieces are glued together, they are pressed under a lot of weight for 2 days and are then ready to send off.

You can find out more about Lawrence Anderson and see his amazing work at www.lawrenceanderson.net

Making Envelopes

2009-06-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

This project was not typical of what comes through the studio but it was certainly a fun diversion. A very special client of mine from San Francisco put in her yearly request for year end gifts for the students at her daughter's school. This year it was these sturdy and colorful envelopes that will hold 4 x 6 photos taken throughout the school year.

Choosing the papers was the first step and of course the most fun. We met at my favorite paper store on earth, Flax Art & Design in San Francisco, and spent some time finding the perfect papers for the kiddos. Next, back in Long Beach, using PVA and a paint roller, I carefully laminated these very thin almost wrapping paper papers together with their much heavier liner papers and pressed them overnight. The next day after crunching the numbers, with a little trial and error, I creating a template out of bookboard and trimmed the now heavyweight paper to size.

Scoring, hole punching and eyelet setting were next and then came folding and gluing the paper into it's 3 dimensional form. The ribbon was threaded through the eyelets and finally the 21 name plates were laid out, printed and adhered to the inner flap of the envelope.

I really enjoyed having these colorful envelopes around the studio for a few days. They were a nice change from the standard black clamshell portfolio boxes that so often taking up the space on my pressing table.

3 Prototypes

2009-05-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

MEA Digital, a marketing agency based in San Diego, contacted me to build an edition of slipcases to house some promotional materials that they were planning on sending out. Since the 3 pieces, 2 books and a CD case, were all different sizes, a simple slipcase wasn't going to fit the bill.

A three paneled presentation folder seemed to be a more practical solution. On the center panel, there is a thin pocket that the back cover of the large horizontal book slips into. It is the primary focus when the folder is opened. To the left is a similar pocket that will hold a smaller book and to the far right is a solid panel that the cardstock CD case will be adhered to. The right panel overlaps and attaches to the left panel via hidden Rare Earth NdFeB magnets. This design was a big hit so now it's about color. I made 3 prototypes, red outside with grey interior, red outside with black interior and finally an all black folder. The embossed "m" logo entered the picture on the final all black folder and really adds a great touch in my opinion.

Check back to see the progress of this project and to find out more about MEA Digital you can visit their site at www.meadigital.com

Walnut Plywood Portfolio

2009-05-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

Woodworking in the studio:

This wooden portfolio was built last week for a Los Angeles graphic designer, Tracie Fong. She chose to go with a sturdy walnut plywood cover and wanted a dark brown stain to contrast the aluminum screw posts and matte silver foil stamp of her name. This portfolio is simple for her to assemble as she can change out the interior pages with a quick twist of 3 screws. She wanted to include a CD with her presentation so I created a pocket that is centered on the inside front cover that perfectly and securely houses the disc. The entire inside of the portfolio is finished in a chocolate brown linen bookcloth.

Since Tracie plans to fill her portfolio with her own printed pages, I included a template for her to use a guide for printing, trimming and hole punching to ensure perfect alignment with the covers.

Tracie's work can be seen at www.tfdesigns.com

Meet Some of My Tools

2009-05-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

My first day on the blog:

With this blog I plan to create a place where my clients, potential clients, bookbinding enthusiasts, artist, designers and all other interested folks, can follow the daily goings on at my studio. I will document some of the most interesting custom boxmaking, bookbinding and presentation projects that come before me. Before I get into the details of these projects, I thought it necessary to introduce a few of my tools.....I could make almost nothing without them.

At the top left is a WireMac 31 which is a wire binding machine. I barely use this but it's great to have around for a quick bind. Next is a Ridgid table saw that I use for cutting plywood for custom wooden portfolios. At the top right is a Kwikprint 55. I use this daily for embossing and foil stamping, a great way to further customize portfolios and presentation pieces. Another work horse of the shop is the Kutrimmer 1071 at the bottom left. This cuts my bookboard and after many solid years of use, it is still making straight sharp cuts. At the bottom center are the tools that no bookbinder can do without and the ones that I am most attached to. Not shown in this "basics" group, (because it shouldn't be in pictures) is my glue brush which is a 75 cent ace hardware brush that I have used daily for 5 years. I dread the day when I have to retire this brush. The dried glue on the handle is formed perfectly to my hand. Finally at the bottom right is the Dahle Guillotine cutter, a necessity for for creating flush edged journals, albums an sketchbooks in a pinch.

More photos of the studio will come but for now the projects will take center stage.

Welcome to my blog....I hope you'll check back regularly to see what's new at Kristin Dunn bookbinding and design. I hope you will also visit my website at www.kdbooks.com