Book Arts: Secret Belgian Binding

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

I recently discovered the Secret Belgian Book-Binding technique. If you'd like to make your own journal, try it out!

Resource: Tips for Professional Artists

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Harriete Estel Berman is a metalsmith who shares interesting tips and advice for fellow artists and crafters. Such topics range from Juried Opportunities to Contracts. Great resource! Visit her website here

Free Backgrounds: Crumpled Paper & Blurred Lights

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Crumpled Paper and Blurred Lights are new photos that I'm offering as a free download. They're part of my Creative Commons collection of photo backgrounds to use in both commercial and personal work. Simply click on the image and enjoy!

Resource: Photography Tutorials

Portrait Photography Tips

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Check out video tutorials from the photography pros at Studio Lighting here (and 5min.com). It's mostly for indoor studio subjects. The videos are free, precise, and most of all, informative.

Inspiration: Flatbed Printing and its Possibilities

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Large format printing has moved beyond papers towards everything from "ceiling tiles, doors, laptop covers, furniture, leather, and wallpaper" (Digital Output, June 2009: Versatile Flatbeds ). Wall murals and glass partitions for exhibits, restaurants, and other environmental displays are a few of the possibilities for the new EFI VUTEk printers due to its flexible ink technology. The world is fast becoming a printable surface.

Resource: New Papers and Printing Techniques

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

As technologies change, so do the materials and techniques involved with printing. Spectrum Lithograph offers a Lithofoil printing, where foils are printed with the 4-color process, adding depth to most artworks.

For durable products, Polyart papers are the practical choice. A unique clay coating keeps the paper from tearing, yet is smooth enough for writing.

New Leaf Paper has nice recycled paper stocks that any environmentally-conscious designer can appreciate. They seem to be the leaders for recycled stocks since they don't bleach their materials and have experimented with non-wood papers.

Resource: Fine Art Printing

I came across the print shop of MFA Talon Printing in my research for fine art printers. As an artist, this print shop offers great options: serigraph (silkscreen), giclee, and various techniques (gold leaf, UV coating, and metallics). They claim to be the "one of the first fine art printing studios in the country to produce Fine Art Books entirely in silkscreen" but be prepared to stash away some money as they retail for $5,000 to $7,000 for each portfolio book.

Resource: Digital Printing on Textiles

In this month's Digital Output magazine, there's an article on Digital Textile Printing. The market has changed--from apparel to "bedding, curtains, window treatments, and even shower curtains—all color coordinated thanks to one digital print run—for applications such as hotel interiors". Some of the printers are using environmentally-friendly inks as well.

Here's more info on the printers (according to Jan. 2009 publication of Digital Ouput):
-www.3p-inktextiles.com
-www.auroratextile.com
-www.cooleygroup.com
-www.digifab.com
-www.dupont.com
-www.fishertextiles.com
-www.inkjetfabrics.com
-www.mimakiusa.com
-www.mutoh.com
-www.neschenamericas.com
-www.pabric.com
-www.pacificcoastfabrics.com
-www.ultraflexx.com