How to Perfectly Bind a Book
Bookbinding is a way to organize printed documents in a cohesive order. Although generally associated with publishing companies, bookbinding is a simple, relatively inexpensive project that can be undertaken at home. "Perfect binding" refers to paperback binding but also refers to lay-flat binding and Euro binding. At-home bookbinding allows you to attach a series of pages to a thick paper cover. The pages are held together with the help of glue.
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Things You'll Need
- 4 metal clips
- Ruler
- Thick paper cover (such as card stock)
- Sandpaper
- Glue
- Small craft paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Gather the pages of text that you wish to bind, making sure that the pages are in the correct order from start to finish. Tap pages on a desk, tabletop or flat surface so that the pages fall in line evenly.
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2
Cut off any overhang or uneven corners if you are working with different sized sheets of paper. Clasp the papers together using metal clips along the top and bottom of the pages.
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3
Measure the book's spine.
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4
Use a pencil to lightly mark the width of the book's spine on the piece of thick paper you wish to use as the book's cover. Fold the edges and test the fit of the book's cover to the spine.
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5
Gently rub the spine of the clamped pages with a piece of sandpaper. Roughing the edge of the book will allow the glue to work into finer pores and crevasses in the paper, creating maximum bonding.
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6
Spread a layer of glue along the spine of the clamped pages. Use a small craft paintbrush to apply the glue, and be sure that the glue is distributed evenly. Allow glue to dry fully.
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7
Apply a second coating of glue once the first coat is fully dry. A second coating will ensure that all the pages are connected and a strong bond will form. Wait until the second coating of glue is completely dry before proceeding.
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8
Apply a generous coating of glue along the inside spine of the book's cover and attach the cover to the spine of the clamped pages. Use the remaining metal clips to clamp the book's cover in place at the top and bottom of the book's spine. Allow the book to sit undisturbed and dry overnight.
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9
Remove the metal clips from the outside cover and inner pages.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For thinner books, use paper clips instead of metal clips. You can use a phone book for additional weight to hold the pages flat and in line. The best glues for perfect bookbinding are wood glue, white glue or hot glue. Folding the cover ahead of time ensures the perfect fit before you begin working with the glue.
Do not proceed to the next step until each glue application is fully dry. Allot enough time for the drying process to ensure that all the pages hold and that the cover does not shift before it is dry.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit old paperback books image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
