Paper and Ink by Isobel Chiang, Small Editions
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. It’s centered around the idea that various aspects of a book – paper, end papers, thread, ink, special 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, but also an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of book production.
Paper and Ink is our attempt to share the knowledge our studio has amassed through 150+ book projects over the past five years. Because it’s impossible to truly understand paper or printing without feeling and seeing it in front of you, the book includes swatches from many of those projects – leftovers from accidents, readymade, or surplus.
The entire edition is printed, collated, and bound by hand. Each book contains different swatches, meaning each book is unique and imperfect by nature.
Published by Small Editions in an edition of 500. Written and designed by Isobel Chiang.
Printed by Small Editions with help from Caslon Yoon. Binding by Michelle Ho. Typeset in Sabon and Monotype Grotesque.
