The table accumulated three dozen strips of uncoated two-millimeter board after the final binding phase of the small notebooks. They lay in an overlapping pile, resting against the dull steel straightedge under cool overhead daylight. The raw fiber along the freshly cut edges reveals a slightly lighter core than the weathered grey surface.
The Structure of Waste Strips
Each strip carries the minor imprint of the bone folder or the graphite mark used for initial alignment. None of these fragments will be reused for covers, yet their linear arrangements on the matte cutting mat create an unplanned architectural landscape.
Textural Details along the Edge
Examining the fiber under direct natural light shows the density of recycled rag content within the board. Small specks of dark lint and unbleached hemp remain visible, giving the cut edge a granular, tactile texture that machine-trimmed commercial stock rarely retains.
Clearing the Surface at Dusk
Before sweeping the table clean, the pieces were arranged into parallel groups according to length. The studio quieted down as the external light dropped, leaving only the neutral grey tonality of the card on the wood grain.