This is not an exhaustive list of letterpress and bookbinding resources available to Australians, but I will do my best. I’m always happy to have additions sent to me. All info last checked on 24/4/12.

SUPPLIERS

Local

Maureen’s Art Supplies: Dickson ACT. Phone: (02) 6162 1022. No website yet. Well worth supporting as she is the only independent art supplier in the ACT, and knows more than ANYONE at Eckersleys. Can order specialist supplies in.

Megalo Printmaking Access Studio: Watson, ACT. Possibly the best community access print studio in Australia. They have a small but solid range of printmaking papers and supplies for sale.

Pepe’s Paperie: Phillip, ACT. Has revamped his store to include a lot of good bookbinding supplies and a good (pricey) range of archival supplies and chemicals. Also paper

National

Artisan Books: Melbourne, Victoria. Broad collection of art books, with a strong emphasis on book arts. Hosts book-centred exhibitions regularly, and has a good archive of former exhibitions.

Artwise Amazing Paper: Sydney, NSW. Bookbinding supplies (*real* bone folders!), good range of bookcloth, good range of decorative papers, excellent website, fast and friendly service.

Melbourne Etching Supplies: Melbourne, Victoria. Printmaking papers, Asian papers, basic bookbinding materials, all other art supplies. Prompt service, good annual sales.

Neil Wallace Art Supplies: Melbourne, Victoria. Excellent printmaking and paper supplies. Make own products (their wood engraving ink is very good). Prompt service, good annual sales.

Planetwisepaper: Tasmania. Bulk handmade paper stationery at very reasonable prices. Fair Trade supplier. All paper is acid free.

Raeco Library Suppliers: Excellent source of basic archival products. Their acid-free Pro-Clear book covering is much cheaper than specialist art archival suppliers.

The Art of Bookbinding: Tiny shop in Berrima, NSW, but their products are excellent. Top quality adhesives, spine lining materials, headbands, endpapers, *real* bone folders, plus hammers, shears and even the occasional nipping press.

International

Talas Online: New York. Amazing range of bookbinding and archival supplies. Check out the specials page regularly.

CLASSES / EDUCATIONAL

Local

Megalo Printmaking Access Studio: Watson, ACT. Possibly the best community access print studio in Australia. Lots and lots of workshop opportunities at decent prices (including book arts and papermaking), plus access to top-notch print facilities, including lithography. They have good residencies, open to local and international artists.

Canberra Craft Bookbinders’ Guild: Hardworking local bookbinding community. Meetings every other month and workshops hosted throughout the year for both members and the public.

National

Artwise Amazing Paper: Sydney, NSW. Not only good supplies, but regular affordable workshops as well.

Sturt Craft School: Mittagong. Twice-yearly week-long workshop opportunities that usually include a number of book-related interests like binding, printmaking, sometimes papermaking. January has the Summer School, and July has the Winter School. Lots of fun & learning.

OTHER LINKS

National

Artist Books 3.0: networking for book artists, educators, curators, galleries and anyone interested in the book as art.

Artspace Mackay: Host to the Artists’ Book Forum and the bi-annual Libris book awards. Large collection of artists’ books.

Bibliotheca Librorum Apud Artificem: The BLaA (great acronym!) is a private collection of books made by printmakers, photographers, photomonteurs, painters, writers and poets. The collection (based in Stanmore, Sydney) focuses on books made in Australia but also has works from overseas, and is accessible by appointment.

State Library of Queensland: Fantastic collection of artists’ books and a useful website to showcase it.

International

Bookarts Web: a listserver with daily emails about all things book, or you can opt to get daily or weekly bulletins. Also has a terrific archive of past advice, and hosts The Bonefolder journal (see above for details).

Briar Press: UK site, excellent resource. Community pages, advice and technical information about presses and typefaces, fabulous downloadable collection of cuts & caps. Also a classified section to browse. Many Australian contributors.

Repair & Enclosure Treatments Manual: Excellent and very technical online manual of conservation bookbinding techniques, generously provided by the Indiana University Libraries in the US. Includes step-by-step slideshows. They demonstrate a number of box and wrapper designs.