Laser Cutting for Artist Books

Are you looking for inspiration that will set your deluxe edition artist book apart?

As a creator of artist books, you’re looking to collaborate with someone who understands the craft and artistry of bookbinding and can help you find ways to

● Create deluxe editions that set your artist books apart

● Produce designs that feel too daunting or time consuming to complete by hand

● Incorporate laser cutting techniques in your artist books without having to learn a whole new technology

Take your creative vision to the next level by utilizing my laser cutting services for your artist books and special editions. From cutting challenging curves, to intricate embossments, and adding texture, a laser cutting specialist, like me, can be your studio partner for creating memorable editions of your artist books.

Let me show you some of the techniques I’ve been experimenting with!

laser cut leather onlay and embroidery holes

laser cut binder’s board and magnet holes

From cutting challenging curves, to intricate embossments and adding texture, laser cutting is your studio partner for creating memorable editions of your artist books.

Learn the step-by-step processes below.

Inlay

Silhouette of a bee laser engraved into binders board

Step 1:
I: laser engrave binder’s board

Step 2:
I: laser cut paper or leather inlay and ship to you!

Silhouette of a bee embossed into book cover

Step 3:
You: cover with book cloth or leather

Laser cut paper bee inlayed into book cover

Step 4:
You: adhere inlay

Three-Dimensional Embossment

Step 1:
I: optimize your grayscale image for laser engraving

laser engraved binders board with topographical texture

Step 2:
I: laser engrave binder’s board using 3D setting

laser engraved binders board with topographical pattern covered with blue paper

Step 3:
You: cover with thin book cloth, paper, or leather

In 3D laser engraving, the strength of the laser adjusts automatically in relation to the values in the image— firing weaker for lighter values and stronger for darker values. This creates gradated changes in elevation instead of the uniform depth found in standard engraving.

Laser Cut Binder’s Board and Magnet Holes

Rectangular holes cut into binder’s board

Laser cutting helps you design projects with shapes that are challenging to cut by hand or with a board shear, and insures a perfect fit. You can also cut holes for magnets of any shape or size!

Laser Engraved Book Cloth

laser engraved book cover with butterfly landing on a thistle

Back of book laser engraved with piece of butterfly wing in corner, spine engraved with title “The Butterfly”, and front engraved with butterfly on thistle.

Raised and Recessed Embossment

bee laser cut in Bristol board glued to binders board

Step 1:
I: laser cut Bristol board and score binder’s board to help you with registration (optional)

Step 2:
You: glue Bristol board shape to board and cover with book cloth, paper, or leather

Step 1:
I: laser engrave binder’s board

Step 2:
You: cover with book cloth, paper, or leather

Leather Embossed Inlay

laser cut Bristol board fox holding head glued to binders board

Step 1:
I: laser cut Bristol board

You: glue it to binder’s board and cover

Step 2:
I: laser cut leather inlay

Step 3:
I: laser engrave acrylic die

Step 4:
You: adhere inlay and emboss with die

When choosing whether to laser cut or engrave a recessed area (step 1), there are a couple things to consider. Cutting is less expensive. Engraving is better for images containing islands.