bookbinding specifications
specifications for bookbinding projects
estimate request form
info@gibbsbookbinding.com | (213) 223-6921
Bookbinding Project Specification Guide
Gibbs Bookbinding provides fine, hand-bound hardcover books and boxes in single copies or editions. All bookbinding work undertaken in the studio is custom, to the client’s specifications and deadline. This allows the project to best fit the purpose, audience, and specific needs for which it is intended — allowing a range of outcomes suitable for all clients, including artists, publishers, art directors, prop masters, individuals, or corporate presentations.
The below is intended for guidance: please contact the studio to discuss the specific aesthetic and production requirements for your bookbinding or box project. Design assistance is available for all stages of production. A digital project mockup and itemized estimate will be provided for all requests.
Numerous additional images of a variety of studio projects are available throughout this website, as well as on the studio’s instagram page.
Structure
All books are hand-sewn to open flat (“smythe-sewn”) using traditional and contemporary methods of book construction.
Since this requires a different type of printed page, printing services are provided.
If you are interested in facilitating your own printing, please contact the studio for instructions.
Cover Materials
Books may be bound in cloth or leather.
Standard woven bookcloth is stocked in a range of colors; deluxe Japanese book cloth is also available.
Current swatch inventory of in-stock bookcloth here.
Additional colors are available by special order.
The studio primarily uses Harmatan goatskin bookbinding leather, which is imported from England. As it is a natural material, dye lots and grain textures may vary.
While many clients use the same paper as the book pages on the inside covers, decorative endpapers may also be incorporated into projects. Custom endpapers can be printed with a project, or traditional marbled papers and other decorative designs can be used.
Foil Stamping on Covers
A range of foil colors are available for titles on covers. A PDF mockup of the book cover will be provided before the project enters production.
The studio standard font for foil stamping titles and authors is 18 point Caslon all caps.
Studio design work for cover art is available.
Link to: more information on foil stamping and custom stamping art
Custom Cover Artwork
If custom artwork or typography is needed, a stamping die is engraved.
Stamping dies are engraved metal plates that are manufactured off-site. Pricing starts at $175.
File specifications for ordering a custom stamping die:
black and white
100% scale
PDF, AI, or JPG files, with all layers flattened
Page Design Services
The studio offers page layout and design services; please see the dedicated information page for samples of layout projects. Graphic design for cover art is also available.
Original Art and Manuscripts
Original artwork and manuscript pages can be bound. A variety of traditional, contemporary, and artistic structures are available to suit the requirements of each project.
Albums and scrapbook compilation is also available.
Please contact the studio to discuss the specific needs of your work.
Printing
Documents may be supplied as PDF files. The studio prefers to oversee printing for all bookbinding projects. The studio uses archival book papers, and commercial Indigo printers. Any page size can be accommodated.
For dissertations, memoirs, novels, poetry, art, photographs, and any other custom printing project, the book will be printed in signatures. This allows the book to be sewn to open flat, and the pages to be printed edge-to-edge without loss to the gutter.
Script and thesis bindings are single sided, 11” x 8.5”, with black and white printing on archival paper.
If you are interested in facilitating your own printing, please contact the studio for instructions.
