Some books are designed to convey information. Others are designed as objects. With an art book, it is not only the content that matters, but also the book’s physical form. Format, materials, construction and finishing are integral parts of the design.
Boekbinderij Rietveld produces exceptional book projects for designers, museums, publishers, artists and cultural institutions. These are often editions for which standard production methods are not sufficient and the book itself forms an important part of the concept.
When a book is more than a carrier of information
In these projects, the book’s appearance takes centre stage. The design may explore format, use of materials, construction or historical references. Sometimes a book is deliberately unexpected, experimental or humorous. In other cases, authenticity and recognisability are what matter most.
The result is an edition that is not only read, but also viewed, held and experienced. The possibilities for such book productions are extensive. Some projects require a completely unconventional construction, while others stand out through subtle details or their use of materials.
Historical books and facsimiles
We can also produce books that need to look as though they have existed for many years. Examples include editions with an aged appearance, historical details or a construction suited to a particular period. The aim is not a decorative effect, but a convincing translation of an idea into a physical object.
One distinctive form of this specialist book production is the creation of facsimiles. An existing book, document or manuscript is reproduced as accurately as possible.
This requires not only great precision, but also knowledge of historical materials, constructions and finishes. The goal is a reproduction that comes as close as possible to the character and appearance of the original.
Vincent van Gogh’s sketchbooks
A special example is the limited edition of Vincent van Gogh’s sketchbooks, created in collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum and publisher Komma.
For this project, Boekbinderij Rietveld produced facsimiles of Van Gogh’s four surviving sketchbooks. The objective was to reproduce the original books as faithfully as possible. Their format, materials, construction and visible signs of use were carefully studied and translated into high-quality replicas.
The resulting facsimiles convincingly recreate the appearance and materials of the original sketchbooks while helping to make important cultural heritage accessible.
Commission an art book from Boekbinderij Rietveld
Boekbinderij Rietveld regularly works on book projects that go beyond conventional book production. From exceptional book objects and conceptual editions to historical replicas and facsimiles, every project requires an individual approach that brings together craftsmanship, material expertise and bespoke production.
