Bookbinding and papermaking is an artwork that has been around for centuries, with roots dating back to ancient Egypt. Initially, ancient manuscripts were bound using papyrus and animal skin. Bookbinding techniques continued to evolve during the Middle Ages, were done manually by skilled craftsmen, and each book was a customized and unique work of art. The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century brought significant changes to bookbinding techniques. Machines began to be used, allowing for the mass production of books at a lower cost. Modern technology continues to advance, providing the various methods and materials used in bookbinding today. Mass production of books slowly erases the art of manual handcrafted bookbinding and papermaking, but Figure Notes is here to make sure it’s never happened.
Based in Jakarta, Figure Notes started as a little project in 2015 at the home of the owner, Tefan, an Industrial Engineering graduate from Universitas Padjajaran. Through craftsmanship and sustainability, Figure Notes gained attention especially from their B2B clients. Tefan, supported by his partner, started to take matters seriously around 2018-2019 based on his knowledge of general production and his love of books. For years, even until now, Figure Notes was a one-man-show managerial company, managed solely by Tefan.
Focusing on B2B, now Figure Notes provide merchandise customization, souvenirs, offers bookbinding and papermaking workshops, etc, apart from their own original line. In 2020, Figure Notes launched a project called Rubble Book –and in 2023 Pable joined in. Just as they were exploring to determine the material cover for the Figure Notes book, Pable came. Our stories aligned, and Rubble Book became the materialization of those ideas; sustainability, craftsmanship, and the love for books. Figure Notes used Sekir from Pabtex, a versatile material made 100% from recycled material.
