How to Create a Hardbound Book

Hardbound books are books with a hard binding. Hardbound books are much more ideal for manuscript preservation than softbound books because they protect pages from bending, wear and tear better than soft bindings. Hardbound books last longer and make your book more professional. With the right supplies, you can even create your own completely customized hardbound book.

Things You'll Need

• Paper Nail Waxed linen thread Needle (any size) Large clips Craft glue 1 sheet of hard card 1 sheet of card stock paper Pile of books Fabric (optional)

Instructions

How to Create a Hardbound Book

1. Type and print the pages of your manuscript, or use blank pages to write in later if you wish.

2. Fold each piece of paper in half.

3. Unfold the papers and stack them in sequential order.

4. Using a nail, punch four holes in the crease, spacing each hole evenly apart and starting one inch from the top of the crease.

5. Thread your needle and begin sewing the pages together by connecting the thread up and down each hole in the papers. Begin by pushing the thread up through one of the end holes in the crease and then pushing it down through the next hole, up through the next one, and so on. Repeat this process through the holes at least five times until the pages are secured together. Tie off the thread when the pages are sewn together.

6. Line up the spine of the books so that the spine and pages are exactly even. Clip the top and bottom of the pages together with a large clip.

7. Spread craft glue all along the spine to glue the pages. This will cause the thread to glue together permanently.

8. Apply a large clip across the spine to add further pressure to the pages, pushing them together tightly.

9. Allow the glue to dry overnight.

10. Cut two boards of hard card out of the sheet of hard card. Cut them slightly longer and wider than your manuscript pages -- half an inch to one inch wider on each side.

11. Lay each board on the card stock paper, leaving enough space between them for your book spine.

12. Glue the boards into place.

13. Fold the top, bottom, left and right sides of the card stock over the boards and glue them to the boards.

14. Allow the glue of the cover to dry, and then place your book pages in the cover.

15. Glue the first and last pages of the book to the cover and place a pile of books on it while it dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Decorate the cover of your book with colored card stock paper. Or use fabric instead of card stock paper to personalize your book.

• Make sure all pieces are in correct placement before gluing your book permanently.

References

• Make Your Own Book