Newly Bound Books

I have been struggling with a particular binding problem for over four years now. You see, I like to do quarter bindings where the spine is book cloth and the rest of the cover is an inkjet print of my own making (as pictured). This technique looks really good, but without some sort of protective coating they show wear very quickly. Not good - for collectors or exhibitions. So, last Spring as I was preparing a grant proposal I stumbled upon an idea that I thought I could make work for these bindings. I received the grant and started collecting the tools necessary. Sure enough, I started doing some test bindings and it works - beautifully. On top of that, the method is COMPLETELY archival. Archival paper, archival inkjet print, archival laminate, archival book board, and archival adhesive.

The test bindings pictured are blank on the inside, so they will become my new journals. I have almost filled up the big journal book I started keeping last Fall. I think it will last until the end of this semester and then I'll start using one of these. They are in the book press today getting flatted a bit. I can't wait to show them to people, but probably only book artists will understand the kind of struggle and breakthrough I have had.