From Start to finish
Giving your favorite reads a new life
From designing a new cover to putting on the finishing touches, I am always thinking about capturing and maintaining the feel of the book. I know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but we’re lying to ourselves if we say it doesn’t matter! It’s so disorienting to pick up a book that, for example, looks like a fun, light-hearted read and then it slowly rips your heart out over the next 300 pages (looking at you, Me Before You).
I would never want to want to create such a gap between the cover and the content of a book (with the exception of Bunny, that book is begging for an incongruous cover.)
All of the designs shown on my website have been created by me and books are made to order which allows for some creative direction by you. Reading is so personal and because of this, different quotes can reach out and touch each of us differently. I have chosen excerpts for the back covers that are relevant to me but I want each rebind to be personal to you. If there is a different quote that you would like on your copy I would be happy to accommodate that free of charge.
Once the design is complete, it’s time to start creating the pieces that will come together as the final product. When I’m making rebinds for myself or trying out new designs or method, I prefer to use well-loved books. I often peruse thrift stores and my local library book store for banged-up copies of my favorite novels.
When you order a rebound book from me, however, the text block will always be purchased brand new and this cost is already incorporated into the final purchase price. Of course if you have a personal copy you would like to be rebound, I would be happy to work with you to give your own well-loved copy a new life!
The rebound book is made up of two different parts; the text block and the actual book cover. The text block is created by removing the original cover and adding new endpapers, mull, and headbands to the pages of the book. The book cover is created using book board that has been covered in my own handmade book cloth. The vinyl design is then added to the cover with a heat press and the text block is reattached.
Finally, everything is compressed tightly in a book press. This ensures that all components are lined up correctly while the glue dries and bonds completely. It also straightens out any warping that may have occurred to the book board from glue or heat.
This entire process takes, on average, 3-8 days to complete. Some of that is hands-on time and some of that is waiting for the glue to dry completely and ensure no part of the book comes apart. This also varies if you order one book or a series and what my current order volume looks like. Because of this, shipping and handling can take up to 3 weeks. Please keep this in mind when placing orders, especially if purchasing as a gift.
If you do need a rush order please reach out and I will try to accommodate that.
