My little print shop has been rockin' today.
1) Two commercial orders
2) Figured out paper for the text part of the book (linen rag, inexpensive and nice feel) and goes through inkjet fine. In other words: stationary.
3) Wrote a summary of what I've come up with so far in the book binding business but it's not ready to post yet.
4) Received digital photo book kit from BreezKit. This is by far the nicest and most flexible system I've looked at. You can use your own paper. Essentially, for $19 they are supplying the cover (black linen), adhesive, and other bits and pieces. Once you've got this, if you just want the covers... well you can make your own. I haven't assembled the book because...
5) Had two print orders to get out and another 50 or so prints to do and
6) For the first time I had a major clog with the epson 4800. And after a fair number of automated cleanings, I moved the print head to the center of the machine and cleaned off the ink pads with warm water. The heads are clean now but there's a touch of diluted ink around the edges of the print so I have to wait for it all to dry up a little. Waited, and the beast is happy now.
My apartment looks like a bomb hit it. I must have ten different types of paper floating around the place. Funny thing - I actually would use the Epson Luster for some parts of the book, but they had to print "Epson Professional" whatever on the back which kills it.
My plan (once all the commercial printing is finished) is to do a simple photo book with the Canon double-sided paper (using InDesign) and assemble it with the BreezeKit system. That will really give me an idea of how pages turn, smudge or don't smudge or any other hidden surprises.
