il castagno - press and books

Legatoria di Nicki Fortunati-Warren Bookbinding studio and press

[il-castagno-press]

Hey everyone! My name is Nicki and I’m an illustrator, bookbinder, and painter (Among other things haha). I’m currently based in the Chicagoland area, I’m originally from Italy. I started Il Castagno Press in early 2026, I’m the sole-owner of this project and business. I mainly operate as a bookbinder and small press. I specialize in making handmade hardbound sketchbooks and journals and printmaking (Mostly linocuts). I hope to make more zine and publications aswell. If you have any questions, please please reach out, I love answering your questions.

Check out my art Tumblr account @nickifortunati-warren

Website//Instagram//Art Instagram//Etsy//YouTube//INPRNT

[il-castagno-press]

More decorative paper design samples I came up with recently 🌞

I will be creating some screen printed designs soon

Website//Etsy//Bookbinding Instagram//Art Instagram

[il-castagno-press]

My newest collection is here! 🌞

These books are hand-bound and feature stamped covers designed by me. I’m moving towards making my own decorative paper designs.

This is just the beginning.

Website//Instagram//Etsy

[il-castagno-press]

Mediterranean motifs 🌞

A little glimpse into my newest collection.

Website//Instagram//Etsy

[il-castagno-press]

I started designing my own decorative paper recently 🌞

My goal is to combine my printmaking practice with my handmade books. What do you think?

Get ready for some new designs!

Website//Etsy//Instagram

[il-castagno-press]

New Giveaway alert - Please check my Instagram to enter 🌞

https://www.instagram.com/ilcastagno_press

[il-castagno-press]

New decorative papers I picked up in Italy and Germany 🇮🇹🇩🇪

The papers from the first photo are from Giulio Giannini e Figlio a paper Atelier in Florence and the other ones I picked up at Lauterwasser Fotografie und Papeterie In Überlingen.

[nickifortunati-warren]

A page from my sketchbook - Some watercolor oleanders 🌞

[il-castagno-press]

A page from my Italy 2026 sketchbook 🇮🇹

[il-castagno-press]

Enjoying my handmade sketchbook while visiting my family in Italy 🇮🇹

[il-castagno-press]

View this post on Instagram

It is time for my Italy sketchbook tour 2025 🥳

This was the first time I used a handmade sketchbook of mine for a visit to Italy 🇮🇹

Website//Instagram//Etsy

[il-castagno-press]

I made a mini print recently 🍀✌️🏽

If you’re in the Chicagoland area you might encounter this print around the city, I’ve been leaving them around like a scavenger hunt haha. I feel like these prints will be part of a bigger project.

Website//Etsy//Instagram

[il-castagno-press]

Getting ready to print some stuff 💪🏽

#printmaking life

[il-castagno-press]

I made a promo poster for the bindery 🌞✨

I just want to take a moment to thank everyone that has been with me on this journey so far, it’s been a couple of years of hard work and doubt, but your support has kept me going. I would not be here without your comments, questions, curiosity, and patronage. There is so much more to come! I’m excited for what I have in store the next few months and years. Being an artist is hard, especially right now with AI and all the other bs. So thank you for supporting this immigrant owned, queer owned, minority owned bindery ✌️🏽 You are all part of the dream.

Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

- Nicki

Website//Etsy//Instagram

[il-castagno-press]

A cute little photo of me and my booth ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა

[il-castagno-press]

Tie dying my own bookcloth - I used Federal Tonic Watercolors and Derwent Inktense Watercolor Blocks. Fun, but so messy omg.

(The top row photos was the fabric before I dyed it, but there were some rainbows shining on it already 🥹).

#I spent two hours cleaning up after

#But it was so worth it

[il-castagno-press]

Pride collection 2026 🌈✨

All seven books are notebooks filled with lined paper. Perfect for all your writing needs.

DM to purchase

Website//Etsy//Instagram

[il-castagno-press]

View this post on Instagram

I’m debuting my next collection a little bit early - It is time for the Pride Collection 🌈✨🌸💕

Each book is a unique work of art made with hand-dyed bookcloths made by yours truly. This was a very labour intensive collection haha, but it was so worth it. Click on the video to see my process, it’s pretty neat.

Also,

Happy (Almost) Pride month 🏳️‍🌈

Website//Etsy/Instagram