I prepared the print version for my Santa Fe Community College Book Arts classmates. Then, I “volunteered” to do a 10-minute Tip presentation for a Santa Fe Book Arts Group (SF BAG) Zoom meeting. So, here are a few of my favorite resources for book and paper artists online and in the Santa Fe area. If there’s enough interest, I will continue to update and create a general book arts or arts resource list. The online links and the universally available resources (like thrift shops) may be helpful if you are outside the Santa Fe, New Mexico area.
Organizations
Santa Fe Book Arts Group
(SF BAG)
A broad community of art enthusiasts supporting innovative interpretations of books. Meetings are held online and hybrid in-person/online meetings. Continuous collaborative projects and information on exhibitions, calls for book art and print entries, and other relevant materials are available.
santafeBAG.org
Be sure to check out the Creative Resources page on their website.
We Grow Eco
A younger organization focused on our relationship with the environment through interactive programs (including making paper & books from recycled cloth & print materials).
wegroweco.org
Libros
LIBROS is New Mexico’s Book Arts Guild for traditional and experimental artists’ books. Regular meetings are held in Albuquerque, New Mexico are held on the first Saturday of the month. Libros also has annual and special exhibits.
librosnm.org
Online Supplies
Bookbinding & Studio Equipment
Talas
Everything for bookbinding from papers, tools, and studio equipment to book cloth and leather for covers
https://www.talasonline.com/bookbinding-supplies
Hollanders
A complete bookbinding source, including complete kits, pastes, tools, book presses, and even brass folding strips (which I covet and have had on my Giftster list since I saw them).
https://hollanders.com/collections/bookbinding-supplies
MyBinding
Assorted modern binding equipment for non-traditional publications, plus supplies, papers, and refurbished machines like guillotine cutters
https://www.mybinding.com/
Dick Blick
All things art-related! The sales are great! (Better thanAmazon! You know you are getting good quality and not knock-offs.)
https://www.dickblick.com/
Paper Guide
Here’s a brief introduction to paper weights and type for commercial and book text printing in PDF format. Click here to download.
This is a link to an excellent and fairly exhaustive guide to art papers. Art papers are considerably different, and often more expensive, than commercial and book text papers.
Frugal Artist Tip
Making mockups, testing, and proofingconcepts and ideas before risking the expensive paper saves money and reduces frustration. Bulk buying newsprint, either in sheets, tablets, or rolls is great for sketching, testing, and proofing. Saving “failed” pieces or misprints is also great for testing and proofing.
Paper Sources: A Non-Exhaustive List
A big thanks to SFCC Instructor Rebecca Bradshaw for allowing me to re-post the list provided to her LetterPress 101 students. I will update it soon with some decorative paper resources.
There are many sources of paper, and this list isn’t meant to cover them all. When searching for paper for letterpress, prints, or some other form of bookmaking, look for light cardstock or text paper, which weighs approximately 70lb to 90lb. You can press print on many different types of paper, anything from paper bags to Tyvek and beyond.
Frugal Artist Tip
Before investing in an expensive paper order, invest in the paper swatch books or packets first. Several businesses below, like Talas & Letterpress, offer these useful items. If you don’t like the paper when you see the swatches, you can also use the sample for a small project. Also, if you see something you love but can’t swing the price, ask if anyone else wants to share in a purchase. Large sheets can always be torn or cut into smaller ones, and paper packs can be divided.
French Paper: An excellent letterpress paper with many colors, a variety of finishes, large and small sizes
https://www.frenchpaper.com
Takach Paper: Both sheets and rolls. 10-sheet minimum order. You can pick up your order in ABQ and save shipping. Go to the website and click to get the price sheet.
https://www.takachpaper.com
Neenah Paper: Print-weight cotton paper in lots of colors and finishes, as well as many other papers for various printing and creative uses
https://www.neenahpaper.com/brands/neenah-cotton#brandbooks
Letterpress Paper: As the name implies, they offer papers appropriate for letterpress and printing in a variety of colors and paper types
https://www.letterpresspaper.com
As mentioned, Talas offers many art papers appropriate for bookbinding, letterpress, and printing.
https://www.talasonline.com/bookbinding-supplies
And, of course, Dick Blick. Pretty much whatever your artistic or printing needs, Dick Blick will have something for you.https://www.dickblick.com
The two papers below are nice for printing books
Arches Text Wove 120LB
Cranes Lettra
If you are looking for stores from a local craft supply store, please use Michael’s if you are concerned at all about what causes your money supports.
Online Bookstores
Amazon owns Abebooks.com & Alibris. For those who do not want to support the “Evil Empire,” here are some alternatives (alphabetically).
Half Price Books
https://www.hpb.com/
Now a small-ish chain in various cities based in Dallas, Texas, it has a central site for inventory (so books may be shipped from different stores and arrive at different dates) and often has very good prices.
Powell’s Books
https://www.powells.com/
Last of the great independents. Takes up several blocks of Portland, OR. New & used. Prices vary.
Thriftbooks
https://www.thriftbooks.com/
New & Used. Has its own warehouse & acts as an Amazon alternative for independent booksellers. Often, the best prices. Ships from various locations, so not all books may arrive at the same time
Santa Fe Bookstores & Resources
Santa Fe has an enviable feast of bookstores. Many ship. Here are some of my favorites.
New Books (alphabetically)
Barnes & Noble
4250 Cerrillos Rd, Unit 1214 (Rodeo & Cerrillos Mall), Santa Fe, NM
Not just books! Wrapping paper, arts & craft supplies, kits, & ideas for book design. Free rewards program.
Collected Works
202 Galiesteo St., Santa Fe, New Mexico (Downtown area, near Water Street parking)
New books, plus coffee shop & art(!). Also, handles book orders.
collectedworksbookstore.com/
Garcia Books
376 Garcia St., Santa Fe, NM
Great fine art & local books, local artists’ cards, next to Downtown Subscription coffeehouse & Canyon Road.
garciastreetbooks.com/
Museum Bookstores!
Usually, a discount with a museum membership
Used Books (alphabetically)
Big Star Books & Music
329 Garfield St. (near Railyard), Santa Fe, NM
Eclectic, quality books & music.
https://www.bigstarbooks.com/
Book Mountain
1302 Osage Ave., Unit A, Santa Fe, NM
Used books for every taste & interest. New owner, a very friendly atmosphere.
Books of Interest
1333 Cerrillos Road (near Counter Culture Coffeehouse & Baca), Santa Fe, NM
Good quality books, reasonable prices, pleasant atmosphere
op.cit. books
157 Paseo de Peralta (Vargas Mall), Santa Fe, NM
Tons of great books @ good prices. Occasionally, other items like cards, posters, gift wrap.
Friends of the Library Bookstore
Great books @ cheap prices; ask about unsellable books & check out the free cart and magazine rack.
Main Library Bookstore,
145 Washington Avenue, Santa Fe, NM (Downtown)
Southside Library Bookstore,
6599 Jaguar Drive, Santa Fe, NM
Physical Resources
Student Resources Supply Room #707A, Santa Fe Community College:
Miscellaneous donations, from books to ink to paper scraps to anything. (For SFCC art students)
Resourceful Santa Fe
2879A Industrial Road
(off of Siler Road), Santa Fe, NM
Hoarding for artists! Artists (and their heirs) donate supplies for any art, craft, or studio, plus inspirational chaos.
You never know what yo will find — but you will find something.
Open each Tuesday from 1:30-4:00
or call Sarah (505-603-0558).
www.resourcefulsantafe.com/
Artisans Santa Fe
2601 Cerrillos Road
, Santa Fe, NM
Art supplies, including book arts
www.artisansantafe.com
Thrift Stores
Some of my Santa Fe favorites include:
The Cat South
2750 Camino Estrada (bigger space than The Cat, which features clothing), Santa Fe, NM
Lots of furniture, household goods, pet supplies, art, jewelry, and much more! Please help support the SF Humane Society and their spay/neuter program.
The Horse Shelter — Our Resale Store
821 W. San Mateo Rd, Unit A, Santa Fe, NM
In the same center as Chocolate Maven & within walking distance of Kakawa Chocolate House! Usually, it has a plethora of baskets, plates, serving dishes, and even printers. An excellent resource for the frugal studio.
https://thehorseshelter.org/store/
Kitchenality
1222 Siler Road, Santa Fe, NM
A kitchen and cooking resale store supporting Kitchen Angels and their meal programs. Not only beautiful and useful things for the kitchen and table, but lots of interesting mark-making tools, storage, and organizational ideas.
