Notebook Inserts - For Artists & Contributors

The Ink & Switch team will be running a notebook station during Lab Day. Here are some guidelines on how to bring materials to include in the notebook making process.

Two ways to contribute: loose sheets that get sewn into notebooks as pages, and small inserts included in the kit envelope. Ideally, bring one of each: a sheet and a sticker. Guiding principle: fun and useful, not direct marketing. Utility, artwork, subtle branding.

1. Loose sheets (sewn into the notebook as pages) On lab day, loose sheets go out on the tables and makers pick from the pool as they assemble. Leave a sheet, take a sheet. If everyone brings something (a scrap of marbled paper, a cut-up paper bag from a local shop, newspaper clippings, an old map), we’ll have the makings of wonderfully varied notebooks. Ideally nothing is left over. • Flat size: A5, 148 × 210 mm (5.83 × 8.27 in) • Folds to: A6 folio, 105 × 148 mm (4.13 × 5.83 in), fold at the midpoint of the long dimension • Designed sheets: artwork with minimal text on one side; blank or 5 mm grid on the reverse (dot, quadrille, ledger, schedule). Keep it easy or design a new paper tool • Found materials welcome: magazine sheets, old maps, marbled paper, packaging, ephemera. Anything A5 that folds cleanly • Bleed: supply trimmed clean to A5, 148 × 210 mm (5.83 × 8.27 in) • Paper: smooth text weight (~80–120 gsm), fountain-pen friendly preferred, not coated, not overly coarse • Sheets will be handled, mixed, and traded. That’s the point.

2. Kit inserts (packed in the kit envelope, sponsors) The kit envelope holds the notebook components: cover, interior pages, pocket, and instructions. Envelope space is reserved for sponsors, whose small flat items are packed alongside the components (Ink & Switch is contributing a sticker sheet). • Max size: smaller than A6, under 105 × 148 mm (4.13 × 5.83 in); ~100 × 140 mm (4 × 5.5 in) is a safe working max • Examples: sticker sheets, transfer/rub-on stickers, mini prints, post-it notes, bookmarks. Anything for decorating or personalizing the notebook • Keep items flat and lightweight

3. Decorating table (everyone) Not a sponsor? Bring stickers, stamps, or other small decorations to share. These go out on the tables on lab day alongside other supplies for decorating and personalizing notebooks.