Custom Bookbinding: Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Our Handmade Books
Do you offer wholesale notebooks or bulk journals?
ABSOLUTELY! We love working with businesses, event planners, artists and travel agents to create personalized notebooks in bulk. Send us a message, and let’s chat.
What book sizes are available?
We offer 3 sizes, and any design can be applied to any of them:
• 6 x 8” (portrait) – Available with 100 or 200 pages
• 8 x 10” (landscape) – 100 pages
• 8.5 x 11” scrapbooks – Removable pages
If you see a design in one book size you’d like applied to a different book size, just let us know. We happily accommodate.
Can I see a mock-up before ordering?
Yes! A cool new design interface is on the way, but until then, just send us your ideas for a handmade book , and we’ll get a mock-up to you ASAP.
Need to send files? Use the live chat widget below!
In what ways can I personalize my book?
• Choose your book size and page options.
• Customize the cover color, font, and cover text. (Choose from our designs, or bring your own.)
• Add your logo, photo, map or artwork to the cover.
• Custom-print the inside covers and outside back cover (for 6 x 8" books).
• Enhance with a matching slipcase for a stunning first impression.
We offer a wide range of options so we can accommodate as many of your wonderful ideas as possible. Be in touch with questions.
Can I use my own design for the book cover?
Absolutely! We’re happy to accommodate your ideas. Choose from our designs, bring your own, or mix and match. Just be in touch.
We gladly provide cover mock ups so you can see how your book will look before ordering.
Do your luxury books lay open flat?
Yes! Thanks to our hand-sewn folios, our books lie open completely flat, making them perfect for writing, sketching, and more.
Bonus: The heavyweight pages handle ink, pencil, and even crayons like a dream!
Will pen ink leak through the pages?
NO! We use heavyweight, matte paper that is ideal for various mediums—ink, pencil, crayons, you name it.
We're big fans of any good brand of gel-cap pens.
How is my handbound book made?
Each book is handcrafted here in house using time-honored bookbinding techniques for exceptional quality and durability.
• Hand-sewn folios create a strong, flexible foundation.
• Reinforced spines ensure lasting durability.
• Hardback covers wrapped in binding canvas and/or heavy cover paper add a timeless elegance.
• The final step: each cover is pressed to perfection, taking its final form as it dries.
Do you custom print the pages of your books?
We aren't able to custom print the pages of our handbound books, BUT! We do offer a variety of page options, including blank, lined, and specialty pages with travel or guest book prompts. Additionally, we can custom print the inside front and back covers with personalized messages, maps, photos, or checklists. For some designs, we can also customize the outside back cover, because who doesn't love extra bells and whistles?
What upgrades are available?
Only at Transient Books, you can enhance your keepsake book with:
• Custom printing on the inside covers.
• A slipcase for protection & impact.
• A gel cap pen.
• A gift box presentation.
How soon will my handmade book ship?
Usually we can get your personalized journals and notebooks handbound and shipped within 14 days. On a tight timeline? We always try to accommodate.
Can I order a RUSH book?
Yes! If you need a personalized keepsake book faster, let us know—we’ll see what we can do.
FREE SHIPPING? For reals?
Does Transient Books ship outside the USA?
We currently ship only within the USA. Shipping issues since 2020 made international delivery too unreliable, and we had some really upset customers. It was an awful experience. We truly loved sending our books across the planet and we hope to offer it again soon!
Where is Transient Books located?
GOOD QUESTION!
• I’m Alex, a writer and book artist from Oregon.
• My husband, Magu, is a musician from Argentina.
• For 30 years, our lives have spanned both continents.
• Transient Books is registered in Oregon, where your books ship from each week, thanks to my awesome sister Sara, our U.S. distributor.
• PLOT TWIST: Your books are handcrafted remotely in Argentina, and shipped weekly to Oregon.
• We’re a small family business bridging Oregon and rural Argentina, where we make books, raise kids, tend to the garden, and laugh with the chickens.
• We've been working out the kinks for over 20 years now, proving, one book at a time: if you can imagine it, we can handbind it.
(yes, this really is a photo from our street.)
Still got a question about handbound books?
