Book binder runs a noteworthy business
Even in the digital era, some people need their notebooks and journals
WATERLOO — Alistair MacLellan was trying to study for the entrance exams to law school when he started to take apart the notebook in his hands.
“I have always used notebooks,” said MacLellan.
It was just another way to procrastinate, but it put the young man on course for a job he never anticipated — making books by hand. MacLellan looked at the stitching, binding and shape of the covers. He laid out all of the different parts, and thought about the future. Instead of going to law school, he decided to make books.
“I have always loved books, since I was a kid I always hoarded books and loved reading, and I also have a passion for design,” he said.
“One thing led to another, and I was pulled into this thing that I realized I enjoyed and wanted to do: ‘Let’s see if I can make it happen.’”
MacLellan Books was launched in 2014. MacLellan got going with a Kickstarter campaign that raised $3,000, twice the amount of his target. “That was my startup cash,” he said. In keeping with the inspiration for his business, he makes a lot of notebooks. His notebooks come in different sizes with different types of pages — blank, lined, graph and dots. His notebooks include hard covers and soft covers, and come in different colours.
“Notebooks are my bread and butter,” said MacLellan.
Even in the age of the internet, the notebook remains vital.
“I knew people were into notebooks, but I didn’t realize how much it is still a thing people like using,” said MacLellan. “I get people from tech-based industries because they still like to do mockups on paper.”
Also popular are his handmade day timers and appointment books.
“I am really surprised at how many people like keeping a day-timer where they can write stuff down,” said MacLellan. “That was pretty popular over Christmas.”
He makes books for genealogies, PhD theses, special publications and treasured family tomes that need new covers. Currently, he has a batch of books he made for The Community Edition out of Wilfrid Laurier University. The book, about different neighbourhoods in Kitchener and Waterloo, is called “If These Streets Could Talk.”
He also made the books for Emilio Jose
Garcia and Samantha Kristoferson, co-authors of “A Recipe For An Extraordinary Life.” It is available online at a beloved, local book store on King Street South in Waterloo — Words Worth books.
“It is cool that I made the book and it is sold in Words Worth,” said MacLellan.
He also made books for a customer who compiled a detailed family history that runs to 400 pages and includes scans of old documents and old photographs.
“I am making a batch of those for her. One set is in English. One set is in Czech and they are actually getting sent over to the Czech Republic for some libraries there,” said MacLellan.
“I think there is definitely a market for small runs of personal projects like that,” he said.
“Pretty much at this point I will bind anything,” he added.
“I’ve done a bunch of projects, fixing people’s old books, fixing up family items people want to save — maybe the cover is deteriorating.”
For the past six months, MacLellan has focused full-time on his bookmaking business. His work table, three different kinds of book presses and industrial shearers are set up in the garage of his parents’ home in Waterloo. His short-term goals include moving into his own space, maybe one that is shared with other makers.
MacLellan did a combined degree in media studies-journalism from the University of Guelph and Humber College. He has a diploma in print and broadcast journalism, and a media studies degree.
He worked in sales and digital marketing for Apple stores for years before finding his way to handmade books.
“I would call myself a book manufacturer,” he said. “I am not doing a lot of the traditional book binding methods. Essentially, it is a hybrid between pre-industrial and post-industrial manufacturing.”