I often get asked where I purchase supplies, or where certain patterns come from, etc. So here is that information, all in once place! I’ll update it periodically. If there is anything else you have a question about, leave  a comment and I’ll update this page.

Bookbinding
Books:
The Japanese stab binds on this site are my own creations. One day I’ll have a book published with them. One day.

Anything by Keith A Smith
• Volume I Non-Adhesive Binding: Books Without Paste or Glue (ISBN 0-9637682-6-3)
• Volume II Non-Adhesive Binding: 1-2- & 3-Section Sewings (ISBN 0-9637682-2-0) **my favorite!**
• Volume III Non-Adhesive Binding: Exposed Spine Sewings (ISBN 0-9637682-4-7)
• Volume IV Non-Adhesive Binding: Smith’s Sewing Single Sheets (ISBN 0-9637682-8-X)

Volume I is a great book for those who are just starting out in the art of bookbinding. It covers quite a few different styles of binding and has a ton of other useful information. All of Smith’s books have dozens of patterns/tutorials that have both written instructions and diagrams. I based my style of tutorial off of his.

• Japanese Bookbinding: Instructions From A Master Craftsman (ISBN 978-0834801967)

I do have this one, but I confess that I didn’t love it. If you are really into Japanese art and design, then this book has a lot of different instructions for various projects. They just didn’t grab me.

Supplies:
Most of my bookbinding supplies come from one of two sites:
hollanders.com and talasonline.com.
Each has a physical store, but I’ve only made it to Talas in Brooklyn, NY. Worth going and checking out, if you’re in the area. But be prepared to hunt for it…it’s on the second floor of a warehouse type building! I think Talas is generally a bit cheaper than Hollander’s, but the site is more difficult to navigate.

You can also find a few bookbinding supplies at your local art store. Some of the more general items like awls, thread and needles can be found on Amazon, but what you find there is usually going to be cheaply made. Ok if you are starting out and aren’t sure you will continue, but not good for long term use.

Type Design
Books:
Designing Type by Karen Cheng (ISBN-13: 978-0300111507)
Lettering and Type: Creating Letters and Designing Typefaces by Bruce Willen (ISBN-13: 978-1568987651)
Thinking with Type, 2nd revised and expanded edition: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students by Ellen Lupton (ISBN-13: 978-1568989693)

I’ve read dozens of books on type/type design/typography. These are some of the best. The last book is a great tool for teachers of typography.

Software:
There are quite a few options for creating your own fonts.
•  Glyphs* – now the industry standard (FontLab is dead). It has a great forum if you have questions you can’t find answers to in the manual, and the developers are very quick to help you out if you have a weird problem or requirement.
•  Robofont – Haven’t used this myself, but I know people who like it. It’s expensive but it creates only UFO fonts. (if you’re a beginner, go for Glyphs.)
•  FontForge – free. However, this is because it is open source – so it is constantly a work-in-progress and isn’t very intuitive. If you’ve never used any kind of font or design software, it might not bother you too much. But if you’re used to Adobe products like Illustrator or InDesign (as I am) it will drive you nuts.

If you’re new to font design and you’d like to try it but not commit to software you have to install on your computer, and just want to get a feel for what it’s like to create a font, check out fontstruct.com. It’s free to sign up and start designing fonts using a modular system/grid. The fonts you create aren’t exclusively yours…anyone else can download them once they are published. But you can use them too!

*significantly reduced price for students*