What’s the difference between vellum and parchment? Parchment is a general term for an animal skin which has been prepared for writing and printing and can be any variety of animal, but is commonly calf, goat, or sheep. Vellum is derived from the French word “veau” meaning calf and refers to those skins specifically made … Read More
It’s simple, if the adhesive comes in direct or very close contact with artwork, you should avoid using a self adhesive product whenever possible. We get this question a lot! What’s the right product, tape, adhesive to use? There are LOTS of choices. Our goal with this post is not to give specific advice but … Read More
Gudy adhesives, both 831 and 870, are exceptional double-sided mounting adhesives. These acid-free dry mount tapes are great for mounting prints, bookcloth, paper, you name it. Both options are applied by hand, without the need for heat or laminators. Just press and peel the liner to apply. The difference between the 830 and 870 can … Read More
Not sure which bookbinding leather to choose? When it comes to selecting leather there are many options to choose from. Below is a guide to navigating our selection of hides, but we are always available by phone or email to discuss your specific requirements. Tannage Tanning is a method of using specific chemicals derived … Read More
Located in Cleveland, Ohio is the Morgan Conservatory. It is the largest arts center in the United States dedicated to every facet of papermaking, book arts and letterpress printing. If that’s not enough, it also helps cultivates the talents of established and emerging artists through its gallery and studio spaces. An international destination that is free … Read More
As New Yorkers, we understand that space is of the essence and that often times multiple objects, or people, must co-habitate inside the same structure. This was no different when it came to housing The Faunae Insectorum Germanicea collection at Princeton University. The Faunae Insectorum Germanicea is comprised of 110 individual slipcases each containing about … Read More
Good question! There are 3 varieties of Jade PVA: Jade 403, Jade 711 and Jade R. But before we get into the specifics, let’s first talk about Jade itself. Jade is an acid-free PVA (polyvinyl acetate) adhesive that dries clear and flexible. It is fast drying, water soluble when wet, and permanent when dry. If … Read More
How does one store a 79 foot long Temple Banner from the 17th century? To accomplish this our customer engaged TALAS for advice. The project was complicated by the need to wind the banner on two tubes starting at each end and meeting at the center. The box needed to be made completely from archival … Read More
Simply put, a bone folder is an indispensable and essential tool for any bookbinder, graphic artist, or craftsperson. Why you ask? Because it’s a great tool for turning corners on cloth and leather, scoring paper, folding, smoothing out surfaces and burnishing surfaces. So what’s the difference between a bone folder and a teflon folder? The … Read More
In a small rural town in the Kochi Prefecture of Japan lives Osamu Hamada and his brother Hironao. They have been making paper their whole lives, a tradition which was passed down from their grandfather Sajio Hamada. Sajio Hamada was designated a National Living Treasure in 2001 for his Tosa Tengujo-shi Paper. Today Hironao continues his legacy … Read More
