Need information regarding getting a book bound

[Keli]

Hey guys, I think I've told you guys about my nephew in the past, but he has been fighting osteosarcoma for three years and we have just found out that short of a miracle he is going to lose this fight and it will happen very soon.

He likes to draw and being a 14 yr old (will be 15 in a couple weeks) he mostly draws superheroes/villains. His parents are big fans of his artwork and have always encouraged it. We would like to take all his pictures and have them bound into a book for his parents for Christmas. I had no idea how to go about this so I called a local printing facility and they said they could spiral bind this for us but not really bind it like a book. The woman was very helpful, she said I would need something called 'perfect binding' and she called a place in Lexington, KY but they can't do just one book. She's checking with some other companies to see if she can find one that will do just one book.

After I hung up it dawned on me that I have a resource for info in you guys so I'm hoping someone here working in this field and can give me some information/guidance on whether this is what we need to do and also a company that would do just one book. Cost really doesn't matter too much, I'm going to pay for this myself, but time is of essence. Prognosis is very poor for my nephew, he's had all the chemo he can have and now the cancer is back and it's very aggressive. He is going to start a chemo pill to prolong life but they don't sound very hopeful. I am afraid this is likely the last Christmas he will have with his parents and I would very much like to do something to make it as special as possible.

 

[gwynne]

I saw some possibilities when I googled individual book binding. Hopefully one of those links might be helpful.
I'm sorry to hear about your nephew's illness.

 

[wilkeliza]

Looks like FedEx offers book binding.

 

[Keli]

I googled it too but I found mostly DIY projects. I don't want to do that because it's important this be done correctly. I am worried I will do something that will damage the artwork or cause it to deteriorate. I'm afraid of not making the best choice on how it's bound as well. I'm hoping someone here works in the industry and can tell me the best way to have it bound and a company that could do just one.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Would you be able to scan in the artwork and then go to a Shutterfly to get a book made? That would get the fragile pages into a format that won't be lost, and is quick, I think they can do turnaround in a week, and then you can preserve the original artwork with Acid Free tissue paper in an archival box. That way his parents can use the book to remember, looking through it without damaging the original pieces. If he's strong enough, you may even be able to talk with him about some of his art and put that on the pages as well?

I'm so sorry for his family, that's one of the most painful things a parent can go through, and you are a great friend for trying to help them.

 

[wilkeliza]

I googled it too but I found mostly DIY projects. I don't want to do that because it's important this be done correctly. I am worried I will do something that will damage the artwork or cause it to deteriorate. I'm afraid of not making the best choice on how it's bound as well. I'm hoping someone here works in the industry and can tell me the best way to have it bound and a company that could do just one.

What area of the country do you live in? Is there a small book store that deals with specialty books there? Your best bet since you need to bound already done pages is to find a book restoration company or they can direct you to someone who can help you. Maybe even check the museum or library in your area who may have knowledge of this.

 

[gwynne]

I googled it too but I found mostly DIY projects. I don't want to do that because it's important this be done correctly. I am worried I will do something that will damage the artwork or cause it to deteriorate. I'm afraid of not making the best choice on how it's bound as well. I'm hoping someone here works in the industry and can tell me the best way to have it bound and a company that could do just one.

I totally understand your concerns. Hopefully you'll find someone in the biz.
Here's one of the business links I found that gives you the opportunity to do an instant price quote on a short run, as well as a link to ask questions.
http://www.book1one.com/

Even if you use someone else it's nice to be able to price compare and get info.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I use www.createspace.com to print my books. You can print whatever amount you want. 1 book or 50 books. They can also set you up to self publish and sell if you want. Not sure how a picture book would work, as I've never made one.

Their website is pretty straightforward and it tells you how to format your book to make it printable.

 

[minnie mum]

The trick is finding someone who can bind an exsting portfolio, not print a new one. I think Wilkeliza is on the right track. Find someone who does book restoration. A large library, especially a university library, or a book store specializing in antique and rare books would be good sources for referrals to someone close by. But its only 6 weeks til Christmas; I wish you the best of luck.

 

[HM]

I have seen that there are people that do book binding. It's often seen as an art form.

If you have a large library around you that has old books, they may have had to hire someone. I'd check there first.

 

[Keli]

We do have a university nearby, I will call them today and see if they can offer some Advice on how this should be done and recommend an organization to do it.
I realize we are right on top of Christmas and I wish it wasn't going down this way. Tyler's tumors showed up on his screens two and half weeks ago (not sure what month these screens were considered since he just came out of a trial and I think that resets the number, I think they called them 3 month screens but he hasn't shown active cancer since his relapse nearly a year ago) and he has since had surgery to remove them.
I didn't think of this idea until the weekend when I was talking to Tyler. But even if I had thought of it earlier I know I would have felt like we could do it any time.
I appreciate everyone's idea and suggestions. I had no idea where to turn and now I feel like I have an idea of how to proceed without messing this thing up.

 

[cijay]

My niece took her pictures of Pompeii to Staples and they made a wonderful book for me.

 

[3boymthr]

I know this may seem a little out there but check with your local vocational school. When I was in high school lo those many years ago, I went to an unusual regional school that offered both college and vocational programs. Kids in the academic side could take elective courses in the vocational side to learn how to do stuff. One of the vocational programs that we had the option to take as an elective was in the graphic arts department. I learned how to screen print and how to offset print and one of the things that we learned how to do was bind books, one at a time. There is a special press for this. You press the pages together, use the fixtures on the machine to make sure all the edges are flush, cut off any ragged parts, apply the glue and then apply the cover. We just used vinyl and pressboard covers.

The other option is to check craigslist and etsy. You might find someone doing this as a craft in their home.

ETA - have you tried make a wish foundation? They may have a source. They are really good with all kinds of crazy things. I know it's not his wish but it's fulfilling a memory for a family of a child with cancer.

 

[SirDuff]

If you have a nearby university, I'd definitely contact them. At my university, we still have to submit a bound copy of our thesis (at least for PhD), so the bookstore is step up to bind single (or small number) copies of books. If your university does too, they should either be able to do it or suggest where you can get it done.

 

[NotUrsula]

Librarian here. "Perfect bound" means that the edges of the pages are glued together rather than sewn in folded sections; it is considered the cheaper way to bind, because the glue will eventually begin to fail, but is commonly done when maintaining the margins of the original leaves is important. Perfect binding is the now the most common way to bind books, but it isn't how fine books are normally bound. Fine binding involves sewing the pages together with acid-free thread, having first drilled a series of holes in the book bloc to facilitate that. Done right on good acid-free paper, a fine binding will last for centuries.

What you want is an artisan bookbinder. The Center for the Book Arts, in NYC, posts a directory of its members here: http://centerforbookarts.org/see/artist-members-registry/ The ones highlighted in red have websites where they may be contacted. (Note that having this done is going to be quite expensive if done well by an expert; probably at least several hundred dollars.)

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am really sorry to hear this, Keli. 's Life can be so cruel at times. My prayers and best are with your nephew. We do know miracles do happen.