OUGD404 - Studio Brief 02 - Binding and Covers

Of the many binding options I could have chosen for this publication I decided to use a simple saddle stitch, as I wanted a minimally-invasive binding that would not disrupt or distract from the content. This binding also enhances the DIY zine aspect of the publication which is appropriate to and enhances the theme of tenderness and the hand-made. Also, even after an extended drying time, the nature of Risograph printing means that heavily printed pages often remain 'damp', and ink can still be transferred and smudged when the pages are handled. The cover of this publication consisted of a full bleed print and so over-handling the pages would leave fingerprints - a saddle stitch was minimise any risk of this as it can be done quickly and mechanically.

The finished pages were collated together into individual books, which were creased down the middle to create the central fold. The publications were then individually stapled and cut to remove the bleed margins and any misaligned edges.

Collated pages stacked in individual books

Publications after folding

A publication mid-saddle stitch

The publications were trimmed on an industrial guillotine 

To complete the publications I felt that it was necessary to add a protective dust jacket to help prevent damage and smudging to both the printed cover and the inside content. To compliment the 'tenderness' of the books, the dust jackets were created from tracing paper so as not to obstruct the cover and also to play into the idea of layers within the publication. Each of the thirty dust jackets were folded by hand to fit the individual books.