WHICH QUESTION(S) ARE RELEVANT FOR YOUR PHOTOBOOK?
An evolving series of questions to help book makers to think through sustainability at each step of the design and production process.
Any comments and suggestions are very welcome.
1. IS A BOOK WORTH A TREE?*
(Consider whether a book is the right medium for the work)
*Coined by Delphine Bedel
2. SIZE
How can the book size and number of pages be optimised to minimise waste?
(consider paper sizes, transportation, distribution)
3. QUANTITY
How many books really need to be made?
(consider your audience, distribution and available resources)
Could printing the books in batches be beneficial?
(consider editions or on demand; or a press local to distribution centres)
4. MATERIALS
How can the book be made locally?
(consider material sourcing, printing, binding)
Do the manufacturing and printing processes use green energy?
How can the book be made from materials that are non-toxic and sustainably sourced?
(consider reusability, making use of by-products and post-consumer waste)
5. REUSE
If packaging is needed, can single-use materials be avoided?
Can all the books really last forever?
(Consider whether the paper can be de-inked and any finishing separated from the paper for recycling)
A limited number of postcards will be available at upcoming book fairs and events.
- BOP-23 (7-8 October 2023)
- Impressions Gallery Book Fair (28 October 2023)
manual.editions table:
- Polycopies (11-12 November 2023)
- Bound Art Book Fair (25-25 November 2023)