Creative Pioneers Journal With Smyth Sewn Binding

Like much of Canada, British Columbia can lay claim to more than a few eccentric characters in its nearly 150-year history – people who blazed their own trails regardless of what their contemporaries thought of them at the time. It is these beat-of-a-different-drummer types whom Mitchell Press chose to honor in “Creative Pioneers: 06 Truly Unbelievable Stories,” a journal with Smyth sewn binding that is part history book, part journal for today’s dreamers 

Creative Pioneers Journal With Smyth Sewn Binding - PaperSpecs

Digitally printed on the company’s Kodak NexPress on 70 lb. Domtar Lynx paper, this 136-page volume was bestowed upon friends and clients at the beginning of January “to provide a launchpad for creativity, to generate ideas and create a fresh start and conversations for the new year,” Mitchell Press’ Scott Gray explains. “This comes after all the craziness of the Christmas holidays and competition for your attention. We wanted to get back to basics, be present with our thoughts, and challenge the reader to do the same.” 

Right away this book impresses with an eminently touchable cover courtesy of a 60 pt. board wrapped with Orange Verona fabric, its title hot foil stamped on the front, back and spine in Black and Gold.  

Creative Pioneers Journal With Smyth Sewn Binding - PaperSpecs

Inside, modern, tongue-in-cheek illustrations by John Belisle and Adam Rogers vividly bring to life stories about half a dozen historical personalities from the province’s illustrious past – including its first official lifeguard, Seraphim Joseph Fortes, and pioneer “Cougar Annie” – written by John Belisle and Sebastien Wilcox.  

Creative Pioneers Journal With Smyth Sewn Binding - PaperSpecs

Creative Pioneers Journal With Smyth Sewn Binding - PaperSpecs

The full-page illustrations for each entry are actually made up of many smaller ones that Mitchell Press has used for wrapping paper, cards and other creations. John also worked closely with them to ensure that there were ample blank pages left between each story for recipients to jot down their own ideas. 

Speaking of stories, you might wonder if the ones contained herein are true-to-life or more like tall tales. 

“With respectful recognition and thanks to our indigenous hosts who have thousands of incredible stories, we decided to poke a little fun at how ‘we’ think we’ve been here so long in beautiful British Columbia,” Scott reveals. “We…had a little fun by embellishing their history to include creativity. Is it 100% true? Well, maybe 85%. OK 83%…” This combination of playfulness, humility (and a dash of utilitarianism) is uniquely Canadian, which is rather the point, I think. 

 

The Elegance of Smyth Sewn Binding 

The whole piece is elegantly casebound with Smyth sewn binding [PRO Guide to Smyth Binding], the binding method for those books that will see repeated use, need to lay open flat, as well as when you want to communicate a sense of high quality. (Scott notes that traditional case binding has become Mitchell Press’ calling card since their recent acquisition of North West Book Operating Co., one of the Pacific Northwest’s most award-winning case binderies – so they do it all in-house now.) Custom end sheets featuring maps and charts created by Vancouver, B.C.’s namesake, Capt. George Vancouver himself, printed in Digital Metallic Gold ink, complete this snazzy look. 

Creative Pioneers Journal With Smyth Sewn Binding - PaperSpecs

“Creative Pioneers” is that rare thing – a perfect “leave behind” that’s certain to be kept within easy reach for years to come.  

Inspired to design a book of your own now but not sure what type of binding to use? Not to worry – we’ve got you covered with our handy Binding Cheat Sheet – yours free to download right now

Project Details

Title Mitchell Press Creative Pioneers Journal Client Self Date January 2020 Design Design, illustration: John Belisle, Adam Rogers
Copy: Sebastien Wilcox, John Belisle
Print Mitchell Digital Paper Text: Domtar Lynx Opaque Ultra 70 lb. Smooth Text, Domtar Lynx Digital 70 lb. Smooth Text
End sheets: Neenah Astrobrights 65 lb. Eclipse Black Cover

Production Details

Production Cost ~$20 per unit Production Time 6 weeks Printing Method Digital Number of Colors End sheets: CMYK + Digital Metallic Gold; Text: CMYK + Digital Metallic Gold Finishing and Binding Smyth bound; registered Matte Black + Gloss Gold Foil on front, back and spine. Custom end sheets with black head and tail bands
2 Comments
  1. Katy 4 years ago

    Can you tell me what the approximate print quantity was for this project to give context to the per piece cost? It’s absolutely beautiful!

    Thanks,

    Katy

    • Aaron 4 years ago

      On behalf of Mitchell Press, thank you so much for the kind words, Katy. Re the quantity, there were 700 made at about $20/each.

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