Type//layout for dedication page
FINAL ADJUSTMENTS
I made sure to check every page fit onto the concertina book layout as I wanted it to, and made any last minute refinements that needed to be made (example above; actual text for dedication page previously unexplored).
I scanned each image individually and changed the levels//hues where necessary. I did not want to over edit the images. I wanted them to still feel very hand made.
Sample of page layout in InDesign
INDESIGN
A part of this brief that was really new to me was InDesign. The workshops we had were really helpful in showing me how to start to use the program to create books that I wanted to create. I managed to lay out my book in a way that made sense to me for it to be printed. Allowing me to cut and splice the images myself to construct the final book.
The induction to the print dungeon was also really eye opening in terms of how much variety was available in terms of book-binding, printing, paper ect that I hadn't previously come across.
The incorrect print outs of pages
PRINTING
The print process was a bit of a battle. Firstly the pages were printed out back to back on A4 paper. The images were all in the wrong order and weren't laid out on A3 paper for me to cut as I wanted them to be.
I talked to James again and showed him my mock up, this time talking him through it in detail. He finally came to a solution and managed to print out all my A4 spreads on A3 card for me, including guides for when I was cutting my image out.
The front cover was printed double sided so I didn't need to stick it on separately, however the back cover printed double sided on the wrong image. This was a fault of mine in the InDesign layout of my book and something I've taken note and learnt from. However, my initial misprints turned out to be very useful in this situation! Because I had a few prints of each page, I was able to cut them up so I had the last few pages I need to complete my book without printing more pages out! Hooray for saving trees!
Final concertina book
FINAL BOOK//CONSTRUCTION
Once all my pages were printed I cut them out using a stanley knife and cutting mat. I've used guillotines before and while useful and quick I find it's often hard to use them with a great deal of control and precision. I wanted this book to appear seamless in it's construction so the labour put into cutting each page individually with a metal ruler was worthwhile in my opinion.
Sticking the pages together was another process I had to consider. PVA and glue sticks would hold the pages together well, but I was worried they would also warp the paper and cause bubbles and imperfections in the illustrations themselves; I wanted them to look clean. Spray mount was an option but it's extremely hard to adjust the image once it's stuck down, even if it's just slightly off. I chose in the end to go with double sided tape as it leaves no marks or residue, provides a strong stick between pages but can be rearranged and peeled off if necessary.
The sense of joy and achievement once my book was fully constructed was amazing. To see each of the pages next to each other, front and back, was a very proud moment!! I'm honestly so thrilled and pleased with the final book!
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