Bellows Paper Design

[Woody]

I've just ordered a G/D Anglo from Andrew Norman and I've decided on everything except for the bellows papers design. I've discussed a few options with Andrew but so far I'm undecided. One thing Andrew suggested was to design my own, which I find an intriguing option, but I don't really know how to go about this.

 

Anybody done this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

- W

[Theo]

You could simply choos a ready made decorative paper like these

[Woody]

You could simply choos a ready made decorative paper like these

 

Thanks Theo, I hadn't thought of that, it's another option to consider.

 

On designing my own, I have a friend who's a graphic designer who should be able to help me with the design itself, though any advice on the choice of design (what works and what doesn't) would be very helpful.

 

My main question really is what considerations need to be taken into account regarding paper type & thickness, printing method, dimensions etc? (For instance does paper choice impact significantly on the bellows action?)

 

 

- W

[JimLucas]

I've just ordered a G/D Anglo from Andrew Norman and I've decided on everything except for the bellows papers design. ... One thing Andrew suggested was to design my own, which I find an intriguing option, but I don't really know how to go about this.

My main question really is what considerations need to be taken into account regarding paper type & thickness, printing method, dimensions etc? (For instance does paper choice impact significantly on the bellows action?)

Did Andy Norman suggest you print your own papers, or just design the graphic? I would think that if he's suggesting you design them, then he probably has a supplier who will print the papers with a custom graphic, and the type of paper, etc. are already standardized. It seems to me unlikely that he would leave any aspect of supplying parts for the concertina to the customer.

 

So then for the design itself, you need to make decisions like:

... With or without a "frame" around the edge of the design?

... Abstract design, or an image of something?

... If abstract, you need to pick a design that not only pleases you, but pleases you when framed in the size and shape necessary to fit on the bellows partitions.

... If representational, it might still be stylized. E.g., like the difference between the very realistic roses on my old Chidley to a cartoon cat. (But beware of using tradmarked images.)

 

Considering your avatar here on C.net, maybe you would like a "god's eye" sort of pattern?

 

If a picture "of something", the possibilities are limited only by your imagination and taste (or lack of taste ). E.g.,

... a badger or badgers

... a bunch of roses

... a bunch of carrots

... a ship

... a portrait of your favorite concertina player

... a portrait of yourself

... a musical staff with the first measure of your favorite tune

... it would cost extra, but how about each panel being the first measure of a different tune, maybe a collection of those you have trouble remembering how they start?

... a concertina with bellows papers picturing a concertina with bellows papers picturing...

... etc.

 

Your graphic design friend should be able to show you on the computer how each of various possibilities would look.

[Woody]

Did Andy Norman suggest you print your own papers, or just design the graphic?

 

He said "...If you design your own papers, they need to be finished and ready to stick on, so they would need to be a specific size, and not water based ink..."

 

 

If a picture "of something", the possibilities are limited only by your imagination and taste (or lack of taste ). E.g.,

 

... a portrait of yourself

 

Thankyou - that gave me the biggest laugh I've had the whole week

 

 

 

- W

[JimLucas]

Did Andy Norman suggest you print your own papers, or just design the graphic?

He said "...If you design your own papers, they need to be finished and ready to stick on, so they would need to be a specific size, and not water based ink..."

Seems decidedly unhelpful. I would have expected him to at least be able direct you to a printer who has done this before and therefore knows the parameters. I hope he at least told you what the "specific size" is.

 

But I know that some other C.net members have talked about having custom -- or special reproduction -- papers made, so I hope they'll chime in with some helpful details.

[Woody]

Seems decidedly unhelpful. I would have expected him to at least be able direct you to a printer who has done this before and therefore knows the parameters. I hope he at least told you what the "specific size" is.

 

To be fair to Andrew we haven't discussed this in detail yet. He said it was one option I could choose and I asked him for a bit of info on what was involved.

 

I've found him to be extremely helpful so far in the decision making process on the other bits and would be surprised if he was unhelpful should I defintely decide to go down this path. At the moment I'm still deciding if this is the route to choose and I'm trying to get a perspective on the issues involved.

 

 

- W

[JimLucas]

At the moment I'm still deciding if this is the route to choose and I'm trying to get a perspective on the issues involved.

I'm pretty sure gold leaf costs extra.

 

For instance does paper choice impact significantly on the bellows action?

Since the papers go on the stiff panels of the bellows, their thickness shouldn't much matter unless you go to something really heavy (e.g., the stuff we Yanks cal "construction paper", which kids use for art projects) or tissue thin (which might be easily damaged).

 

In particular, if you opt for using pre-printed patterns, the papers used by bookbinders to decorate the inside covers of books should be a fine thickness. There's quite a variety of patterns available, from regular geometric ones to swirls and spatters. These could be used as is (just punch out pieces in the size and shape of the panels), stamped with a border pattern for each "paper", or even used as a background for an overstamp of another design.

 

Of course, the shape of the "papers" doesn't have to be the traditional trapezoid, either. You could use a plain background of the same color as the bellows leather and then paste onto it little smileys, cigar bands (I think somebody has already been reported doing that), or whatever.

[Cream-T]

And when you have finally decided on a design, make sure you get the matching tattoo as well!

[Woody]

And when you have finally decided on a design, make sure you get the matching tattoo as well!

 

Now there's an idea!

[JimLucas]

And when you have finally decided on a design, make sure you get the matching tattoo as well!

What about tattooing the bellows panels?

 

Oh, right. The needle holes would leak.

 

Maybe embossing, then? Either embossed papers or direct embossing, like this on the bellows end of my pinhole Æola:

 

[Dazbo]

I'd definitely go for the bigger picture option like this offered by an Italian organetto manufacturer. Something like this would look great!

 

[Peter Brook]

Woody,

 

You are best off (if possible) driving over to see him in the next few months. The tea is well worth it and his workshop is quite fascinating. He is also one of the nicest people you could meet.

 

all the best,

 

Peter

[JimLucas]

I'd definitely go for the bigger picture option like this offered by an Italian organetto manufacturer. Something like this would look great!

While having a single image extending acros the entire bellows might work nicely on a concertina, the effect certainly won't be the same as with that accordion. I'm not saying that's necessarily bad, but the contemporary standard for concertinas seems to be a 6-fold bellows, and that accordion has 17... almosts three times as many folds, which clearly affects the image.

 

Yeah, forget papers. Can your graphic artist friend paint you a mural across a plain bellows? Maybe different scenes along each side?

[Woody]

I'd definitely go for the bigger picture option like this offered by an Italian organetto manufacturer. Something like this would look great!

While having a single image extending acros the entire bellows might work nicely on a concertina, the effect certainly won't be the same as with that accordion. I'm not saying that's necessarily bad, but the contemporary standard for concertinas seems to be a 6-fold bellows, and that accordion has 17... almosts three times as many folds, which clearly affects the image.

 

Yeah, forget papers. Can your graphic artist friend paint you a mural across a plain bellows? Maybe different scenes along each side?

 

Maybe I can get him to do a pop-up version

[Peter Brook]

I'd definitely go for the bigger picture option like this offered by an Italian organetto manufacturer. Something like this would look great!

While having a single image extending acros the entire bellows might work nicely on a concertina, the effect certainly won't be the same as with that accordion. I'm not saying that's necessarily bad, but the contemporary standard for concertinas seems to be a 6-fold bellows, and that accordion has 17... almosts three times as many folds, which clearly affects the image.

 

Yeah, forget papers. Can your graphic artist friend paint you a mural across a plain bellows? Maybe different scenes along each side?

 

Maybe I can get him to do a pop-up version

in that case with may day on monday - i think you need some morris dancers

[JimLucas]

...forget papers. Can your graphic artist friend paint you a mural across a plain bellows?

Maybe I can get him to do a pop-up version

I was trying to picture a concertina Jack-in-the-box, when I realized that from Concertina Connection you can get a concertina "Jack"-is-the-"box".

[JimLucas]

Can your graphic artist friend paint you a mural across a plain bellows? Maybe different scenes along each side?

Maybe I can get him to do a pop-up version

in that case with may day on monday - i think you need some morris dancers

Pneumatically activated by bellows pressure, so that when you press harder they caper higher?