Custom commissions start at $300 NZD, with the final price depending on the base paperback, materials, design complexity, and any additional features requested. Your personalised quote will be provided after I review your commission form.

Every commission is a little different, so your estimated timeframe and rough ship-by date will be provided during the quote process, before you commit to your commission.

As a general guide, the design process takes around 2–4 weeks, followed by approximately 8–10 weeks for binding. However, these timeframes are estimates and goals, not strict deadlines. Larger or more complex projects may take longer, and busy periods can affect these timeframes too.

Bookbinding is a slow, hands-on craft, and sometimes a book simply needs more time than expected. I rarely have complete control over how long a project takes, and I would always rather take the time needed to do your book properly than rush it to meet a date. A little patience goes a long way, and I promise the extra time is always in service of making your book the best it can be.

Absolutely! If you’d like multiple books from the same series rebound with a cohesive design, you only need to submit one commission form. Just include all the books you’d like to have rebound and any ideas you have for the overall design.

For different books or unrelated designs, please submit a separate form for each commission so I can properly assess each one.

I’m less likely to accept larger multi-book commissions during particularly busy periods, but it never hurts to ask!

Yes! That's the whole point. You can request specific colours, foil, faux leather, endpapers, ribbons, charms and other details. If something isn't currently stocked in the bindery, I'll let you know if it can be sourced and whether it changes the price.

I'm happy to take inspiration from references you love, but I won't directly reproduce another artist's work. Your commission should be something uniquely yours.

Yes! I’m happy to work with a book from your personal collection, especially if it has sentimental value or is an edition you particularly love. That said, I generally prefer to work with new paperbacks whenever possible. A new book means I can be confident that the spine is straight, the glue is uncompromised, and the text block is firmly held together - giving us the best possible starting point for a beautiful rebind.

Older or well-loved books can absolutely be rebound, but their existing wear and condition may mean the finished book isn’t quite as perfect as a rebind made from a new copy. I’ll always let you know if I think the condition could affect the result before we begin.

And just a heads-up: sending me your own book won’t make the commission cheaper. You’ll still need to cover the cost of shipping your book to New Zealand, which can often cost around the same as sourcing a new paperback locally.

Maybe! Before accepting a repair-heavy commission, I’ll ask you to send through photos of the book so I can assess its condition and work out what it needs.

If the text block is generally sound (no pages falling out from the spine and no paper repairs required) I can usually accept it at my regular commission price. Normal rebinding is one thing; extensive restoration and repair is another.

If your book does need more substantial repairs, I may still be able to take on the commission. In those cases, I’ll work with a traditional bookbinder in my town who has the experience and knowledge to carry out the repairs properly before I begin the rebind. This can make the commission considerably more expensive, but it means your book gets the specialist care it needs rather than me attempting something outside my expertise.

I’ll always discuss any additional repair work and costs with you before anything is done.

Because each commission is created specifically for you, commissioned sales are final once production has begun. I'll make sure you're happy with the final design before I begin binding.

Honestly? No — I turn away a lot of commissions. There are plenty of reasons I might not accept a project: perhaps it isn’t really within my design style, I don’t work with the materials you’re after, or I don’t feel confident that I could bring your idea to life to the standard you’re expecting.

That doesn’t mean your idea is bad! Sometimes it just means I’m not the right person to make it. If I don’t think I’m the best fit for your project, I’ll always be upfront about it. Where I can, I’m more than happy to point you towards another bookbinder who might be a better fit - especially my fellow binders and friends in the bookbinding community. 

I’d much rather send you to someone who can make your dream book exactly as you imagined it than take on a project I’m not confident I can do justice to.

Maybe! I don’t read every book I’m commissioned to bind, but if you’ve chosen a series that catches my interest, I may decide to read it before I start designing. There’s no extra charge for this — if I choose to read your book, it’s because I think knowing the story will help me create something better.

In fact, some of my best designs have come from finishing a book and immediately turning around to design it. Having the story, themes and little details fresh in my mind can make all the difference.

Of course, reading a book takes time, so if I do decide to read yours, it may extend your design timeframe a little. And if your book doesn’t particularly interest me... well, I probably won’t read it. But you’re always welcome to ask! A little bribe goes a long way!

By default, no. Sometimes I’ll fall so in love with a commission design that, if the book is popular enough, I may offer that design as a permanent option on my website once your commission is complete.

If you’d like your design to remain exclusive to you, just let me know when we’re discussing your commission — I will always respect that request.

So if you want your book to be a one-of-a-kind design that nobody else can order, just say the word!

Probably not - but that doesn’t mean I can’t help! I have a very particular design style, and I know where my strengths lie. If your vision falls far outside of that, I’d rather be honest with you than try to create something that I don’t feel I can do justice to.

There are so many incredibly talented bookbinders out there with their own unique styles and specialties. If I think someone else could bring your vision to life better than I can, I’ll happily point you in their direction. My goal is always for you to end up with a book you absolutely love.

Maybe - but this is ultimately at my discretion. I’m willing to bind books by authors whose actions I personally find disappointing or problematic, but there are circumstances where I may not feel comfortable taking on the commission.

For particularly well-known or actively problematic authors (J. K. Rowling, for example) I would prefer to source a secondhand copy rather than purchase a new book and financially support the author. If you already own a copy, even better: I’m willing to rebind your existing book.

I won’t compromise my own morals just to accept a commission, and I reserve the right to decline a project if I’m not comfortable with the author or the circumstances surrounding it. If I do decline, I’ll always be honest about why, and where possible, I’ll suggest a secondhand or alternative way to make the project work.

If you’re unsure whether your book falls into this category, please just ask. I’d much rather have a conversation about it than make assumptions.