How to Bind a Book?
Do you want to make a scrapbook, journal or diary? Of course, you can buy any book you want at a bookstore, but if you want to truly make your own book then it’s time to get reacquainted with the perhaps neglected art of bookbinding. There are many ways to bind books, from holding them together with staples to glue to even sewing them. The method you choose will depend on the book you are binding, as well as the time and skills you have. This article will give you a guide on how to glue or sew books together to produce a high-quality binding that you can use on any size book, whether it’s making a new book or repairing your old book.
Start Making a Book
1. Choose the paper you will use.
To make your own book, you can choose whatever paper you like. Normal HVS-size paper will work, as well as a variety of handmade paper or cardboard. Make sure to prepare a sufficient amount of paper, which is about 50 – 100 sheets. Next, you will fold the paper in half, so that your final amount of paper will be double the amount of paper you prepared.
2. Fold the paper together.
Make batches of paper folds by folding several sheets of paper together. Each of these groups should consist of 4 sheets of paper folded directly in the middle together. Use a bone folder to make even folds, and a ruler to make sure you fold the paper right in the middle. Your book will need several batches of folds, so make as many as you need until you run out of paper.
3. Gather the things you need.
Take all the bunches of folded paper you’ve made, and tap them all over against a hard, smooth surface until they’re even. Make sure that all of the paper is aligned, including the back of the paper; your entire batch of folded paper should be facing the same way. Also Read: How to Pronounce High School in Spanish
Adhesive Binding
1. Place your collection of papers on top of a book.
The goal is to lift it above the table so that it is easier to glue. You can also use a block of wood, or some other thick, hard material if you don’t have books thick enough to work with. Lay your stack of paper so that it hangs about 1/2 inch above the spine below; be careful not to move your batch of paper apart.
2. Place a load over the paper bundle.
To prevent the papers from shifting, add some books or heavy objects on top. This will also make the ridges of your paper batch even. Again, be careful not to move the paper or move it out of the stack.
3. Give me glue.
Use PVA glue sticks (PVAC) to glue your paper sheets together. Using regular glues, such as paper glue, hot glue, super glue, or rubber glue will not give your book the proper flexibility, and will cause it to crack over time. Use a regular paintbrush to apply the glue along the spine, being careful not to get the glue on the front or back of the book. Wait 15 minutes, and then apply another layer of glue. You will need to apply 5 coats of glue in all, with time to rest between each application.
4. Provide adhesive strap.
This flexible, cloth-like adhesive string is used to bind the top and bottom of the spine. The adhesive strap will provide additional protection so that the back of the spine does not slide off the paper bundle. Cut small strips of paper (less than 1.2 cm) and tape them to the top and bottom of your stack of paper near the spine.
Bookbinding with Thread
1. Punch holes in the paper bundle.
Take each batch of paper and unfold it so you can see the center crease. Use a hole punch to make holes in the sides, or use a needle threaded into the cork instead of a hole punch if you don’t have one. Make the first hole directly close to the crease in the center of the paper. Then measure 6 cm up and down this hole, and punch another hole (so that there are 3 holes in total).
2. Stitch each batch of paper together.
Cut 0.8 m of thread and thread it into the needle. Insert the needle and thread through the center hole from the back. Leave a few inches of thread outside so you can tie a knot later.
1. Insert the needle through the bottom hole, so the thread is coming out of the book. Pull this thread tight.
2. Reinsert the thread through the top hole from the back. Then grab the thread and pull it through the center hole. Then tie the remaining thread in the back to maintain the knot, then cut off the remaining strands.
3. Sew the batches of paper together.
Use 30 cm of thread for each batch of paper you want to sew on. Start by sewing the first two batches of paper together, then add more batches of paper once they are together. Align the two batches of paper, and insert the needle from outside the hole on the top of one of the paper batches. Make a knot with a few inches of thread left at the end, so the thread doesn’t slide.
1. Once you’ve pulled the thread through the top hole, thread the thread from the inside into the center hole. Then pull, then insert the thread into the second hole of the next batch of paper.
2. Bring the thread from the second hole in the second batch of paper, and thread it through the third hole. Pull the thread all the way through so that it is outside the third hole of the second batch of paper.
3. Add another batch of paper by taking the thread from the third hole of the second batch of paper, and inserting it into the third hole of the third batch of paper. Use the same steps to work the back of the third batch of paper.
4. When you’ve finished adding the paper bundles, tie the end of the yarn to the end of the yarn in the first knot, then cut the remaining strands.
4. Apply a little glue to strengthen it.
When you’ve finished sewing your entire batch of paper, use a small amount of glue to make sure it doesn’t separate along the spine. Brush any type of glue (bookbinding glue ideally) along the spine of the book. Place some heavy thick books on top to hold it in position while the glue dries.
Give a Cover to Your Book
1. Measure the book cover board.
You can use cardboard to make a paperback cover, or a bookbinding board to make a sturdier cover. Place your batch of paper on the board and draw out the dimensions. Then, add 0.6 cm to the height and width of the cover. Cut this piece of board, and use it as a stencil for the back cover of your book.
2. Measure your spine.
Hold a ruler along the spine of your stack of paper and measure the width of the stack of paper. Then use this measurement along with the entire thickness of the paper to cut a long sheet of cardboard to serve as the spine.
3. Cut your fabric.
You can use any non-stretching cotton cloth you like. Layer your two covers and spine over the fabric. Leave a distance between them about 0.6 cm. Then draw the perimeter of these three pieces of board/cardboard, adding another 1/2 inch on all sides. Cut a piece of cloth based on this size.
1. On the corner of your fabric, cut a triangle shape with the corner parallel to the corner of your cover board. This will allow you to fold the fabric without creasing at the corners.
4. Glue the fabric to your board.
Place your board back into its original position on the fabric, with the spine centered and each piece of board/inch (0.6 cm) apart. Cover the entire front of the board with glue (bookbinding glue is best, but any type of glue is fine), and cover the board with a cloth. Then fold the excess fabric over the edge of the board, and use glue to glue it to the inside.
5. Tape your batch of paper onto the book cover.
Place your batch of paper inside the cover you just made to make sure it’s the right size. Then place a piece of protective paper under the first page of the first batch of paper. Coat the outside of the first page of the book with glue, and then press the book cover down to adhere this paper to the book cover. Discard the protective paper underneath.
1. Open the first page of the book, and use the folding tool to press down the front page you just glued the cover to. Make sure the paper is completely adhesive without any air bubbles.
2. Repeat this step again on the last page of the book and cover.
6. Wait for your book to dry.
Place some heavy books or other objects on top of your newly finished book. Leave it for 1-2 days until completely dry and the paper becomes flat. After that, enjoy your new book!
Repairing and Strengthening Books
1. Fix loose hinges.
If your spine is loose along one or both hinges, use this step to quickly fix it until it’s good again. Coat long knitting needles with adhesive glue and slide them along the loose hinges on the spine. Turn the book over, and do the same for the reverse side. Place the book under a heavy load for a few hours until the hinges snap back together.
2. Strengthen book hinges.
If one of the spine hinges is peeling from the stem, use glue and a little masking tape to put it back together. Apply glue on the exposed hinges, and on the corners of the stem. Place the book cover back in place, and use weights to hold it in place until the glue dries.
1. To further strengthen it, apply a piece of adhesive tape (or duct tape if you don’t care much about the appearance of the book) around the hinge corners of the inside cover, and on the first page of the book.
2. Use a folding tool to press the tape along the hinges and keep it in place.
3. Replace damaged spine.
If your book cover/hinges are still attached to the stem, you can replace the damaged spine without having to remove the entire cover. Use scissors to remove the spine without cutting the hinges. Then cut a piece of cardboard that is the same size as the old spine. Use two pieces of the book-length adhesive tape to attach the spine to the two cover sheets.
1. If you wish, you can line the cardboard with a suitable cloth before tucking it into the cover.
2. If you don’t have adhesive tape, and aren’t particularly concerned about the appearance of the book, duct tape or some other wide piece of tape can be a substitute for taping the spine. That said, adhesive straps are a very useful tool, as they have angles that fit snugly against the top and bottom corners of the spine.
4. Fix the paperback.
If the cover of one of your paperback books comes off, brush some glue along the spine and snap the cover back in place. Place some weight over the book and allow it to dry.
5. Replace hardcover books.
If your hardcover book is reusable, use the instructions above for making hardcover books to replace your cover. You can also buy a new cover or use another book cover of the same size in good condition, and use it for your book.
Suggestion:
1. You may want to add a different color to mark the edges of the batch of paper, so you won’t get confused about where to punch holes in the paper.
2. You will need enough thread to sew the entire batch of paper together. But you can always remind two batches of paper together if you don’t want to run too long threads through each hole.