Anyone who knows me will know that I love reference material. There is just too much information out there in the world for one brain to retain. Forms Folds Sizes, by Poppy Evans and Aaris Sherin is a wonderful book full of “all the details graphic designers need to know but can never find.” (That was from the front of the book).

Some of the chapters included in this book give details regarding: papers and envelopes; bindings and folds; packaging; postal standards; and printing and finishing. There’s also a handy measurement conversion chart, a list of websites for postal companies around the world, a glossary of terms that a designer will often come across, as well as a process colour finder. (CMYK swatches in increments of 5% of each colour.)

I find this book to be amazingly handy. Rather than having to go online and google what I’m looking for, it is in one convenient location together. However, with that being said, there is one downside: the book is American-based. I decided it was still worth it for me to purchase because, being in Canada, many of the details are similar. Some of the sections, such as postal standards, would not apply to me since I am in Canada. If you live somewhere outside of North America, this book may prove to be even less relevant to you.

A couple months ago I interned at Carte Blanche Creative. While I was there, I worked on a project which involved meeting with a representative from Spicers. She introduced to us the Ed Series, a promotional piece by Newpage.

The Ed Series is a series meant to educate about everything to do with papers, printing, as well as design. There are 12 books in total:

1. Metallics
2. Quadtones
3. Stochastic and Conventional
4. Protective Coverings
5. Enhancing Colour
6. Embossing and Foil Stamping
7. Retouching
8. Digital Variables
9. Understanding Inks
10. Prepress
11. Print It
12. Standards

Each book not only has reading material about the topic, but has printed examples for you to touch and see. In book 6, Embossing and Foil Stamping, there are pages of embossed icons for you to touch. Fun!

I looked around online and it turns out you can get your own copy of the Ed series from the Ed Lives Here website. It is a great resource for students and I definitely recommend it. Best of all, it’s free!