Summary of Rules and Submission information
Summary of Rules and Submission Information
On this page you will find a summary of Durham University’s International Bookbinding Competition 2024. Full terms and conditions can be found by clicking on the link below.
Rules (Including New Dates)
- All submissions must be accompanied by a completed entry form and payment of entry fee (£20)
- The competition is open to international entries
- Only complete submissions are eligible; see submission information for details on what constitutes a complete submission
- All entries must be received between 1 April 2024 and 15 February 2025
- Only one entry is permitted per person. Multiple volume submissions are allowed where they constitute a single artistic entity and shall be judged as one entry
- Participants are responsible for shipping their entry to and from Durham, UK. Costs and risks of shipping are borne by the participant. Durham University accepts no responsibility for loss or damage during transport, judging or exhibition. Participants should ensure that they have adequate insurance in place to cover their entry against loss or damage during shipping and during the period at Durham University.
- Participants must be willing to loan their submitted bindings to Durham University for exhibition purposes for a maximum period of 9 months from the date of the close of the competition.
- Participants consent to their completed binding being photographed and for all submitted elements to be used for exhibition purposes or for publication in a catalogue.
- Durham University reserves the right of first refusal for completed bindings declared available on entry form. Participants will be informed of Durham University’s decision to purchase by 15 June 2025.
- Completed bindings need not be available for purchase. There will be a field on the entry form to indicate whether the completed binding is available. The exhibition of entries is not a selling exhibition.
- The decision of the Judging Panel is final. Judges reserve the right to withhold any prize.
- The Organisers reserve the right to reject entries that do not reflect the values of Durham University, particularly those of respect towards individuals.
- Submissions must be the sole creative undertaking of a single binder. Any minor technical contributions by others must be declared upon submission. The Organisers reserve the right to reject entries where contributions by other hands are disproportionate to those of the entrant.
- No part of the submission will include the name or any other identifying information of the participant
Submission Information
A complete submission will comprise:
- Image depicting the proposed design for the Shakespeare First Folio facsimile to scale and in colour. This representation may be produced by hand or digitally, but must be sent as a digital copy. Instructions for submitting your image will be included on the entry form.
- Digital entries should be in JPEG format with a resolution of at least 300dpi at print size. The facsimile text block will measure 330 X 210 X C. 45mm (HxWxD).
- Written English-language artist statement on proposed binding for the Shakespeare First Folio facsimile, a maximum of 250 words
- One bound text block in codex format that must:
- Demonstrate techniques commensurate with those proposed for final commission
- Be an original binding that has not been previously submitted to a competition or exhibited
- Have been completed within 3 years prior to submission
- Be submitted with a protective box suitable for shipping. Boxes will not be considered in judging unless otherwise specified in the submission.
- No blank books will be accepted.
- Text block must be at minimum 50 X 60mm, and at maximum 330 X 210mm).
- Written English-language artist statement on submitted binding, a maximum of 250 words
In the event of any conflict between these Competition Rules, and the Competition Terms and Conditions, which can be found here, the Competition Terms and Conditions shall at all times take precedence.