Isobel Chiang
2024
Paper and Ink is both a technical and theoretical resource for anyone wanting to use paper and printing to shape the message, atmosphere, and concept of a book. Paper and Ink is our attempt to share the knowledge our studio has amassed through 150+ book projects over the past 5 years. It’s centered around the idea that things like paper, endsheets, thread, ink laydown, specialty finishes, folding structure, and cover material all belong to the book as much as its content, and it’s the designer who brings everything together under one cohesive plan. This requires not only material sensitivity — or an intuition of what “feels right”— but also an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of book production.
Because it’s impossible to truly understand paper or printing without feeling and seeing it in front of you, we included swatches from many of those projects—leftovers from accidents, make ready, or overage—alongside the text. We find so often in our commissioned work that there’s a disconnect between digital designs and printed reality. Bridging that gap requires experience and resources, which can be really hard to come by as an individual artist or designer. We hope this book can help readers leapfrog over some of that gap. Despite its technical nature, we think it reads like a love letter to bookmaking (at least to us book nerds).
The entire edition is printed, collated, and bound by hand. Each book contains different swatches, meaning each book is unique and imperfect by nature.
This title is held in the collections of:
Rhode Island School of Design
Production Details
8.5 × 11 in
52 pages
Spiral binding
1 color Risograph printed
Cover details: Gold foil stamp
Interior paper: 120gsm Cougar Vellum White, collated with offset swatches from Small Editions studio
Colophon
Edition of 500
Published by Small Editions
Written by Isobel Chiang
Designed by Isobel Chiang
Bound by Small Editions
Printed by Small Editions, with help from Caslon Yoon
Binding help from Caslon Yoon, Sarah Nicholls, and Zachary Desjardins-Mooney
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL INQUIRIES
1. What is the minimum run size?
There is no minimum run size! We typically produce projects with run sizes in the 1-2000 unit range, and recommend that all offset printed projects are an edition size of 300 or above.
2. What is the typical lead time?
There are many variables that will affect your project's lead time. Our current minimum lead time for any project is 6 weeks, and we charge rush fees to make sure firm deadlines are met. We generally recommend planning 8-10 weeks for production of standard digital offset projects, and 3-6 months for standard offset projects. All other projects are subject to the availability of the bindery calendar.
3. I’m not sure where to start with my project, and don’t know my project specifications yet — what is the best way to start a conversation?
We offer consulting services on specialized projects to help guide you through the process. Some of the questions we recommend considering before your consultation is: Which details are most important for your project? Are you set on any particular materials, dimensions, or run sizes? What is the overall budget goal for this project? If you don’t have an overall budget, then what is your goal for the individual ‘per book’ price?
4. Do you accept restoration projects?
Unfortunately, we are unable to facilitate restoration or conservation projects at this time.
5. Why is the ‘per book’ price higher on smaller run sizes?
Since all of our projects are custom-made, there are initial project set up costs for each project. The ‘per book’ price drops as these costs are spread out across the run. Therefore, it will always be cheaper to do a larger edition of a project once, than to produce two smaller runs of the same project.
6. Why does Small Editions ask for our ideal budget from the start?
Starting out by discussing your ideal budget for the project allows us to make the best recommendations for your particular project! We want to help you make the most of your budget, and are happy to provide guidance on materials, binding methods, print methods, and finishing details that complement your design goals.
7. Can I get samples from you?
Since all of our projects are custom-made, we will create a sample card with curated options for your particular project. Sample cards are $15 each. We’ll be offering general sample books for sale soon.
8. Can I stop by the studio or schedule an in-person meeting?
At this time we are still limiting in person meetings in order to protect our team. You’re welcome to schedule a virtual consultation here.
9. Once my project is ready, where can I collect them or have them shipped from?
All projects can be collected from the studio located at 20 Grand Ave. #502 Brooklyn, NY 11205. All final shipping costs will be calculated from this location as well.
10. What is the difference between your publishing and production programs?
Our publishing program is not currently accepting applications. If you’d like to work with us, we recommend that you work with us through our production program.
11. Where do I find more information about your publishing program?
If you’d like to see the incredible artists we’ve worked with in the past, we recommend checking out our publishing page!
PRE-PRESS, PRODUCTION, AND MATERIAL QUESTIONS
1. Are printed hard proofs included in each quote?
Yes! For Digital Offset projects, we include one hard proof on the final paper for you to review. For Offset projects, we include 10 Epson proofs for color matching, and provide “blue lines”/plotter proofs (which are not on final paper) for layout and review confirmation. For all other print options, it is best to discuss the proofing process with us directly.
2. Will the hard proof be on the final paper?
Yes, if your project is printed Digital Offset. No, if your project is printed Offset. (See above question). All other print options should be discussed with us directly
3. Can you proof our project if we are working with another printer for final production?
We recommend working with your printer or someone they recommend, so that the correct color profiles are being used for your project and their requirements.
4. What finishing options are available?
The possibilities are endless! Feel free to send us reference images with your ideal budget range, so we can help you work towards your dream finishes. A couple of our favorites are foil stamping/debossing, fore-edge painting, and custom ribbon inserts!
5. What print options are available?
We have long standing relationships with print partners in both the US and Europe. Standard print options are Offset and Digital Offset, and we can recommend the best option based on your book size, run size, and budget. Additionally we are able to facilitate letterpress, risograph, fine art inkjet, screen printing, and laser printing.
6. What binding options are available?
Again, the possibilities are endless! Standard projects are typically Perfect Bound or Smyth-Sewn. For perfect binding we work exclusively with a coldset PUR. A couple of other favorite binding options are pamphlet stitch, Japanese stab binding, and Swiss sewn with a drop spine. Special binding methods tend to work better for different run sizes and budget ranges, and we’re happy to discuss this further with you.
7. What papers are available?
The two main categories are Coated and Uncoated papers. Coated options are available in Glossy, Silk, or Matte; Uncoated is available in Smooth or Matte. (*Note: The weight, finishes, and brands available to you are dependent on the printing method used for your particular project.) We work with paper mills large and small, and are happy to recommend a few options that best suit your project!
8. What cover materials are available?
For softcovers, we recommend printing on cover weight paper or foil stamping a variety of cover stocks not suited for printing. For hardcovers, we regularly work with leather, cover cloth, simulated leather, and printed paper wraps. For all printed cover material, we recommend laminating the cover to prevent the ink from scratching off. Lamination options include: Matte, Soft Touch Matte, Gloss, and Silk. Please reach out to us with more specific material questions.
9. What environmentally friendly options are available?
While there are recycled paper options available, we don’t always recommend printing on them! The environmental impact of specially sourcing internal paper options sometimes outweighs the benefit of using recycled options. With that said, we are informed on the options available, and happy to discuss them with you! There are many exciting options available for cover stocks such as paper produced in hydro powered mills or paper made from recycled disposable paper coffee cups.
10. What does Small Editions check for in prepress?
Our top priority is to check that all of your images are printing at the correct resolution and that the color profiling will fall in the desired range. We will call out any concerns we have about file formatting from colorspace to general formatting.
11. What should I (the client) be checking for in the prepress pdfs?
Please check the text/copy of the book closely! It is important to catch all spelling and copy errors before moving to the hard proof stage. It is also important to check for layout, color, and formatting concerns at this point. It is much more difficult and costly to correct problems in the hard proof stage, so please bring any concerns to us before approving! This is the stage to catch any major/minor file errors!
12. When/why do fees apply for changing the file post prepress pdf review?
Once you approve the prepress pdfs, we immediately start the process of producing your project. Steps such as imposition, ordering materials, and plate production are timely/costly steps that will affect how we navigate correcting the file change and the fees involved. We do our best to make sure that everything is clear and you’re happy with everything before starting production.
SHIPPING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
We ship worldwide using USPS and UPS.
Small Editions will not be responsible for packages once they leave our studio. Lost or damaged packages must be filed as a dispute with the carrier. We recommend selecting UPS for all international orders.
We take great care of our products and packaging to prevent all damage to the final product. Any damages during transit must be formally filed with the delivery company. We are not responsible for any delays caused by the carrier and will not process any refunds for late deliveries.
All orders require at least 7 business days to be fulfilled.
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS
We recommend selecting UPS for all international orders. International customers may also be charged additional customs, duties, and import fees upon entry into the country, depending on the country's policies. These are the buyer's responsibility and cannot be estimated by Small Editions, so please consider this when placing international orders.
RETURNS AND EXCHANGES
These are often hand-bound publications — hand-collated, hand-stamped, and hand-assembled in our studio. They are irregular by nature. Small Editions does not offer returns or exchanges.
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CONTACT
projects@smalleditions.nyc
T. 718 422-1304
20 Grand Avenue, #502
Brooklyn, NY 11205
We’re open 10am-6pm Monday through Friday,
but studio visits are by appointment only.
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Updated October 5, 2021
Website design by Isobel Chiang
Website development by Aarati Akkapeddi