Maria Carolina Ceballos Flórez’s Mechanical Spine Binding is a full paper, low-adhesive structure. Created by Florez in 2022, it is distinguishable from other layflat bindings by its moving spine piece that interlocks with the covers. As a layflat binding it’s an ideal structure for sketchbooks, journals, and photobooks. The binding was designed with accessibility of common materials in mind. It is easily modified to fit a bookbinder’s needs in terms of proportion and decoration. You’ll take away an appreciation for this new binding style and the ability to include this binding method into your practice.

About: María Carolina Ceballos Flórez is a Colombian book artist with an emphasis in bookbinding and artists’ books. She holds a BFA in Visual Arts from the Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, with a Minor in Photography. In 2021, she graduated with an MFA in Book Arts at The University of Iowa, where she also worked as a book conservation technician and digital book design instructor. She worked as a paper conservator at the Archivo General de la Nación in Bogotá, and as an independent book artist under the name of Canto Press, where she creates artists’ books, teaches bookbinding and sells hand bound goods. She has been the recipient of many awards and recognition like the Caxton Club Grant Award 2020-2021, an MFA degree with distinction from the University of Iowa Center for the Book, and the Holle Award 2022. She has exhibited her work in various cities in Colombia, the United States and Japan.  Her books can be found in collections at the University of Iowa, the University of Miami, University of Michigan, the University of Alabama, the University of California and others.

To see examples of María Carolina Ceballos Flórez’s work: https://cantopress.art/