Production methods;
I've been diligently searching and making many phonecalls in a bid to try and source either a manufacturer who would take on the job of producing the whole packaging, or those to produce the components seperately. For example, I've been in contact with several plastics and foam companies trying to locate someone willing to manufacture a specially designed insert. This insert would house samples in one side of the packaging and the printed work on the other.

However, I'm drawing a complete blank so far. Most are just not willing to go in to production for a run of such small quantity, whereas others just have such a large lead time that it becomes impossible to have things made in the time frame available.

It is because of these problems that I've come across that I'm beginning to think that I will have to try and construct everything apart from the look book myself.

On a more positive note, I refused to admit that there were only the two book binders I currently know of in the capital (Sheppherds and the Wyvern)! It took me a little while, but I did locate a few other binders. I had a phone around spoke to them all about what I was doing and the possibility of hard binding with my own material. This should be okay, depending on the fabric - it musn't be too thin or the glue will seep through, nor can it be too thick as it won't bind properly in the size I am looking to print.

The only type of packaging that was on offer through the binders was slip cases, which I see of little use to my project other than an unnecessary extra. Especially as I plan to use a very distinctive cover for the print work, which would be criminal to cover.

On the back of this I had a wander in to the nearest (but definitly not the cheapest, Sheppherd's) book binders to have a look at qualities of stock and of covers, should it transpire that my material isn't suitable.