A Look at a Paper Sample Booklet

From time to time I sign up for a chance to receive free paper samples. The most recent successful result was a booklet from Domtar’s Cougar papers via PaperSpecs.

I have used Cougar papers for years, but was interested in finding out more about the surfaces offered. I hadn’t expected to see some interesting book binding. The booklet is ‘perfect’ bound using French fold pages. (See orange pointy finger: the upper fold has been trimmed off after binding.) The inside of the French fold pages is printed in teal which shows on the head and foot of the booklet. (I was a little disappointed that the designer had made no other use of the inner sides of the folded pages.) There is a single title page printed on the same cover stock as the front and back covers — blue pointy finger. This balances with the back cover which is folded double.

There is a small accordion glued to one of the pages.

The booklet is about the finishes offered on the paper itself but includes information on, and examples of, print processes as well.

There is blind embossing on the title page but the most striking examples of changing the surface through printing were the pages that used spot gloss to create allover texture or images that appear and disappear as you move the page.

Inside the double back cover are the technical details for the paper and print processes used on each page.

The physical booklet gives the potential consumer a chance to actually see and feel the differences in paper and print finishes. Having done that, perhaps I will now turn the paper into something else.

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I made a kite out of one of my gel print experiments.

It’s based on a design by the Rogallos, patented in 1952. The frame is a bit too heavy for light wind flying. The original was made from Mylar and had no frame, but my print wasn’t stiff enough to work without some support. I will fiddle around with the design or, perhaps, cut the print off the frame and make something completely different.

A second kite was more successful. It is made from a square of copier paper with a single vertical strut that extends at the nose to prevent crumpling if crashes occur, and a removable cross-strut across the back. When the cross strut is removed the kite can be flattened for travel. The bridle is a traditional two-point one, with a movable attachment loop for connecting the flying line.

I started out with a lightweight tail, but the kite was difficult to control in stronger winds, so I now have a sophisticated system using a paper clip to allow me to switch back and forth between the lighter tail and a heavier one when the wind is above about 25 kph.

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In other book arts news:

Paula Beardell Krieg will be teaching a folding workshop in July. You can read about her preparations here or sign up for the workshop here.

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There’s a free Zoom workshop with Helen Hiebert coming up on July 1, marking the opening of summer registration for The Paper Year. Sign up for the Zoom event here.

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Some excellent news for Canadian book binders was shared by Andrew Huot of Big River Bindery: Columbia Finishing Mills are now offering small quantity purchases of some of their products on Etsy.

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In other news:

With all the lovely rain we have been having, the vegetable garden is looking exceptionally good. There have been some unseasonably cold nights, however.

David covered the most delicate plants and everything came through okay. Now, under the supervision of my Lovely Assistant Kemuri, he is undertaking the removal of all the volunteer ground cover —portulaca— which is also doing well because of the moisture.