Personalized Leather Journals - The How-To Guide

Though it’s not uncommon to use these terms interchangeably, at Epica, they described very different processes:

PERSONALIZATION – these are details added to your Epica journal or album here at our facility in the USA after it has been handcrafted in Italy. Embossing, Engraving, Title Pages, and Gift Wrapping Service are all examples of Personalization options available. Learn more about Personalization and see examples of all available options here

CUSTOM Orders – We take great pride in offering truly bespoke, made-to-order journals and albums all handcrafted by our Master Bookbinder in Florence. Whether its for yourself or as a truly unique gift, a custom book from Epica is sure to delight its recipient. After selecting the features that you prefer, we will prepare your quotation and invoice. Andrea will then personally direct the creation of your journal or album and when complete, it will be included with our next shipment to Epica in the USA where it can be Personalized further as you prefer. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery of your bespoke creation (sometimes faster). Custom books are delivered with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Andrea and are generally priced at 20-30% above the base price of similar stock products available at epica.com. Learn more about Custom orders and see examples of all available custom features here

Personalize Your Journal or Album With Style

The most extensive set of personalization options you will find – anywhere.

We will work closely with you via phone or email to get it just the way you'd like it before your order is personalized and shipped.

Need help? Call (800) 993-7422

How to Personalize Your Journal or Album

Many options are available on Product Detail pages where applicable: once you have identified your preferred Epica product, just click on any of the Personalization Options listed and all available options for that product will be displayed on the left side of your screen (or below on mobile devices). You will also see examples of custom personalization shown in each available font along with samples of embossing colors.

Monograms & Initials

Choose from 2 Styles, 4 Fonts and a wide variety of Colors, or even “blind” embossing where the leather is essentially branded with hot-metal letters (also known as "debossing").
see examples

Handmade Italian Leather photo album 10x12

The photo album is absolutely gorgeous with a beautiful monogram. The packaging is exquisite. I cannot wait to fill them with photos and present them to my two sons.

— Elizabeth C.

Personalized Embossing

Add up to 3 lines of inscription to feature a Title, Names, Commemoration or Date. Select your font, color and position and our Embossing Specialist will lay out your inscription beautifully.
see examples

Classic Leather Journal With Lined Pages

This is the second journal that was purchased for our library/museum. We use it as a visitor book. It is well made, the personalization is beautiful and arrived in a very timely manner! Thank-you so much.

— Anonymous

Custom Title Page

A wonderful feature, also known as a Dedication Page, where your creativity is nearly boundless. Write a dedication, poem, or personal message and we’ll lay it out on first page of your book with a beautiful border of your choosing.
see examples

Classic Leather Journal With Lined Pages

I ordered the Classic Leather Journal and had it personalized on the cover and also added a dedication page. The owner personally assisted me with my order which was a huge help. I received my journal within less than a week and it is beautiful!! This has been one of the best experiences I have had with an online purchase. I definitely will use Epica again!

— Jackie R.

Emboss your own Logo or Crest

For the ultimate in personalization, upload your art file! Applicable for most journals and albums.
see examples

The World's Thickest Italian Leather Journal

Spyro and his team at Epica did a wonderful job for our Swiss Rotary Club.
Excellent outcome and even more the experience with dealing with Epica team. A group of exceptional people thus not surprised of the exceptional result. Thank you so much and looking forward for new purchases. Dario from Zurich

— Dario P.

Gift Wrap

Select from 4 gorgeous designs + your personal note. We’ll do the rest, including the ribbon & bow!
see examples

Classic Leather Journal With Lined Pages

From ease of ordering to final product received, Epica has overwhelmed me with the highest quality of service and products available. My custom journal gift was shipped within a day of ordering, even a week out from Christmas. It was exceptionally gift wrapped so the presentation to my father was something to be proud of. I would give them more stars, if allowed! Highly recommended!!!

— Anonymous

All of the Personalization Options listed above can be selected at time of purchase and are generally fulfilled within 2 business days. Need a Digital Proof or RUSH service, select either one as you choose your Personalization Options.

Other ways to personalize your Epica Journal or Album. Give us a call to explore all opportunities available to you! (800) 993-7422

Your Company or Team Logo
see examples

Your Custom Image or Crest
see examples

Laser Engraving on Leather or Wood
see examples

Italian Leather Photo Album, 14x10 Wide Landscape Format

The photo album is beautiful. The engraving is perfect - just as the digital proof indicated. The product packaging is gorgeous. Thrilled with the product, and thrilled with the service. Thank you!

— Pamela S.

The Embossing Process

Frequently Asked Questions about Personalization – FAQs

How quickly will you personalize my order?

With all details provided within your order at time of purchase, personalization is generally completed the next business day, or 2 days at most. RUSH orders are handled as priorities the same day on orders received by 11AM, Pacific Time (California).

How long does it take to get a proof?

Allow 2 – 3 days for a Digital Proof as we need to add our graphics artist into the process and then of course, we need your approval before personalizing your order. Don’t request a Digital Proof + Rush service. No time is saved by doing this.

How long does Shipping take?

Shipping is independent of our Fulfillment process and determined by your preferred shipping method selected at checkout and your distance from our Fulfillment center in Chatsworth, California. We offer Free Shipping within the contiguous US on all orders and also to many other destinations. More details. Depending on the shipping location, this generally takes 2 – 6 business days within the USA. Discounted Priority and Overnight shipping options are available at checkout, including Global Next Day service.

Can I see more examples of how I could Personalize my Epica product?

Sure!
see examples

Monogram and Initials

Personalized Embossing

Custom Title Page

Giftwrapping

Your Custom Logo & Crest

Laser Engravings on Leather or Wood

Custom Journals and Photo Albums - Bespoke Orders

While Epica journals and albums are themselves unique and wonderful creations, sometimes, one wishes for a palette of their own from which to select features that will make their book truly one-of-a-kind. Collaborate with us to design your bespoke creation from these feature sets:

Custom Leather colors

Epica has established a global reputation for the finest hardcover books handcrafted with our own Classico Brown Calfskin Leather, subtly distressed in a manner that pays homage to the Renaissance in Florence. All that being said, we also offer many other leather colors, quite in addition to those found in our Moderno (black) and Ispirato collections.

Other leather colors generally available

Set of 6 books in 3 custom leather colors Gray-Blue #34, Green #29, and Burgundy #55

Custom leather color Red #59 with gilded pages + Fleur di Lis embossed on cover

A single hand-painted paper created these 4 unique covers protected along spine and corners in custom leather colors

Beautiful combination of ancient wood covers and custom baby blue leather

Custom Spine Treatments

The spine of every Epica book is handcrafted without the use of a template. Our Classico treatment includes 4 rounded ridges on a curved spine, but as you can see from the myriad of examples below, your book can be made to suit your whimsy with as many as (9? or more) or none at all. And the spine itself can have a square or curved edge (note: journals with square spines will not lay as flat as those with a curved spine.)

7 ridges on spine

3-double ridges on spine

Smooth & Classic spine ridges

Square spine with 4 ridges

A variety of unique ridges on square and smooth spines

Custom Spine Embossing

Yes, embossing on the spine of your book is also possible during its construction in Florence, but subject to limitations. (call us for details if this is something you would like to consider).

Decades albums, black film on black leather

Gold foil in old-style block font

Block font, blind debossing

Custom Printing on Journal Pages with Deckled Edges

The paper is from Cordenons, a venerable name in Italian paper (95gsm) and suitable for many inks, including fountain pens, watercolors, and pencil, of course. This is by far the most expensive custom feature available to us, primarily due to the cost of printing just 1 or 2 books worth of paper on a letterpress. Generally, the price for a journal with custom printing is 3Xs the base price.