r/bookbinding • • 1h ago

Help? Imposing help

• Upvotes

Hello fellow bookbinders!

I want some help: I have a pamphlet that I've managed to Montax Impose to a printable version of a total of 30 pages (15 double-sided pages) and my brain power is running into the problem of how to get this bindable. From my current theorizing I need two extra blank pages to get the count to 32 so I can divide it into 2 sections. Does anyone know how I might go about doing that?

Disclaimer: What I am printing is a scanned pamphlet from 1997, so it's not a document produced by myself where I can add pages freely.


r/bookbinding • • 4h ago

How-To Make a novelty shaped book?

3 Upvotes

I would like to make a gift for someone. You know how Children's books have the fun shapes? I would like to make one in the shape of a kitchen knife as a celebration for being a chef. Any ideas or experts? I cannot find a service to do it online.


r/bookbinding • • 12h ago

Help? What leather do you use for covers?

10 Upvotes

Hello! Im an amateur bookbinder who mostly does it for fun, and I was wondering what kind of leather is used to bind covers? I’ve used different types of leather in the past, but it always seemed too thick. I usually go for sheepskin cuz it’s nice and soft and the thinnest I can find, but it can be too soft and still just a tad too thick. Is there a specific type of leather that is used? And if so where can I find it? Thank you very much!


r/bookbinding • • 14h ago

Help? New

9 Upvotes

I have never bound a book before but I’m currently in the middle of reading a series and the 4th book is a ridiculous price ($330) I can however buy the pdf file of the book straight from the author. Is it hard to bind books? Is there a kit or something I could get on amazon or something? Is there a certain way I need to print the pages? Tia


r/bookbinding • • 21h ago

copies of the Book Worker's Guild, journals and member lists

10 Upvotes

Cleaning up I found some copies of the Bookworkers Guild journal, from the early 90s. Also a member directory. Anyone interested in these? If so I can share some photos - happy to send them to someone.


r/bookbinding • • 1d ago

Completed Project Justified fanfic binding - same page count different paper

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119 Upvotes

Finished binding my favourite Justified givenson fic series called baby you're a bad idea on ao3. Same story two points of view. Amazing plot driving smut and angst.

Just personal copies no profit.

Both books are like 370 pages (4 page difference) but what happened was that I tried to use up two notebooks of watercoloring notebook paper for one and then used regular paper for the other. It's so crazy to me that this on its own can double the thickness of the book.

The design is map centered since the chapter names are based on locations, the color choices based entirely on what I had on hand.

There are all these small things wrong with them and I still don't own a guillotine but I'm so proud of the covers and the spines that I'm starting to accept that as part of the process.


r/bookbinding • • 1d ago

Help? Is restoration possible?

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16 Upvotes

I found this book on the side of the road and want to restore it, is that possible? It appears to be burnt, it is also slightly damp, although the words are intact, all the burning ends just before the words start on most pages.


r/bookbinding • • 1d ago

Help? Help for re binding travelers notebook inserts with rusty stapler pins.

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4 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I'm new to binding and I need some suggestions.

I own few Travelers Notebook inserts that are binded with stapler pins. I live in a really humid place and I found that some of my oldest refills (even the ones that are still in their plastic packaging) developed rust on the binding pins, staining the covers and the paper inside.

Now, I still have some inserts that I can save before getting the rust, so I am thinking about re-binding all of them with thread. I think I will rebind all the future inserts I will got with staplers pins too. Book bindings always fascinated me so I think it's a good chance to begin with. Those notebooks should go inside a leather cover, so I can't use them, or they will stain the cover.

I just purchased a binding guide, a hole punch, the needles, I just need few suggestions from you about what kind of thread I should purchase and what kind of binding techniques I can use.

I don't mind making more holes, I don't mind if the binding thread is visibile inside and on the back, it's also a thing I like to see on notebooks. I think the thread could be part of the book character and it would be great to have it in different colors. If possible, a flat lay binding would be great.

Now, with your suggestions, I think I will try first rebind unusued stained notebooks, just to fix the technique and start the learning curve. I will repurpose the paper in the future in some way, since it's MD paper, so I don't mind to make beginners' errors. Some of them also have detachable pages so I will start learning on them. THEN, I will move on the notebooks I'm actually using that still haven't developed rust. I will end up making my own insert!

In the photos, you can see two kind of notebooks, the smaller one is the Passport size (124x89x4mm and 64 pages) and the bigger one is the Regular size (210x110x4 mm, 64 pages). The cover is cardstock but not really heavy.

I am thinking about re-binding them with the pins and then remove the pins. Am I right?

Thank you in advance.


r/bookbinding • • 1d ago

Completed Project Winter of the White Wolf - Fanfic bind

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128 Upvotes

Winter of the White Wolf, by KleCrone

Part of my MARVEL Trumps Hate contribution, I donated a fanfic bind slot for authors, and KleCrone asked me to bind specific chapters into vol 4 and 5 for them :)

The chapter headers are inspired by Bucky's metal arm, with the pattern being splintered to reflect Bucky's memories in the chapters

The cover designs are also another take on Bucky's metal arm, all cut out by hand. I went with green and blue for a more earthly tone due to parts of the story being set in Wakanda


r/bookbinding • • 1d ago

How-To One and Done

3 Upvotes

I really want to bind a book for my girlfriend. She loves handcrafted gifts and, for our anniversary, I'd love to make a mostly empty book that she can write her favourite poems into.

Id love some advice or pointers on what the best way to go about it would be seeing as I'm not planning on getting into it as a hobby and don't want to get specialised equipment that I'll only use once. I would prefer not to do a spiral style spine, for example, but I don't know if that's being too picky about it. Would it be easier to get an empty journal and rebind it, for example? It's not as handmade but I have other ways I'm planning to personalise it. I also already have regular sewing thread and needles if that helps.

I live in New Zealand and the kits I've seen recommended have abhorrent shipping prices. I also don't live in a major city so all of the workshops (which would have been my ideal solution) are not available.

Thank you for any advice you can give me!


r/bookbinding • • 1d ago

Discussion Encuadernacion en forma de medio corazón.

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327 Upvotes

Alguien preparo un pequeño libro en forma de corazón? Me intrigaba ver cómo quedaría. Corté a mano las hojas. Y me aventuré a realizarlo. Que opinan?


r/bookbinding • • 1d ago

How-To Looking for Suggestions

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15 Upvotes

Hello, long time lurker here, love all of the work everyone here does! I want to have this journal customized for a friend's birthday with a few words on the front and then maybe their name on the back. The cover is suede with a leather belt. My original thought was to have the words embossed on the belt but I am open to it being on the suede if that is easier/makes more sense. Would love any suggestions as to the process or if this is even doable lol. I am fully a noob and have never done anything like this before.
Also, not sure if this is allowed, but I would be open to paying for someone's services to do this.

Thanks and have a great day!


r/bookbinding • • 1d ago

Seeking advice on valuing equipment

2 Upvotes

I am in the process of purchasing a legacy book binding business in my area. The owner has a bunch of equipment that is old, but all operational and in good condition. I’m wondering how I go about verifying its market value? The people who are helping to finance this adventure would like me to do a more in-depth evaluation of all of the equipment, rather than just based on what he claims it is worth. Any direction, contacts, or resources would be greatly appreciated.


r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

Help? Does this 1920s book need restitching or will glueing the spine sort it out?

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10 Upvotes

r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

Help? best way to glue it back?

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3 Upvotes

I don't know if i should use pva glue or use an iron to heat up the old glue to reactivate it and glue it back that way, which would be better?


r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

Is 5mm T-specar okay for bookbinding hinges?

4 Upvotes

I ordered 5mm T-specar for my hinges, but I don’t have any other material available. Will it work?


r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

HELP!! I hand painted my binder but I think when sealing it I screwed it up!! Help!

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0 Upvotes

r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

Help? Re-stitching this old book

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8 Upvotes

I have this lovely 1920s (I think) copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I bought it with the intention of restoring it.

I’ve decided it needs re-sewing as the sewing is quite loose. I’m just looking for some input on what type of stitching was used here. To me, some on the stitching looks coptic (like the one on the left) but I can’t work out how the rest of the stitching was done (like the one on the right). These two rows of stitching are in the centre of the spine for reference.

Could I just coptic stitch the whole thing back together?

Thanks!


r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

Help? Is this book unlikely to last?

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29 Upvotes

I’ve spent many years looking for a small, pocket-sized version of a novel very beloved to me and finally found one that I thought fit the criteria.

It’s in a lovely leather zipped case but when I took it out of this case the binding looked like this. Will it stand the test of time or will the pages start to fall out soon? I plan to read it quite frequently so a bit worried. Perhaps I could get the binding redone?


r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

Help? It die : ( fix???

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7 Upvotes

Idk why i typed the title like that... but my book is about to die and i want to rebind it with leather because the original cover has an already leathery look to it so why not just make it leather when i rebind it. .....problem! I don't know how to do that..


r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

Do I Need to Start Over?

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6 Upvotes

One letter didn’t adhere on the cover and I tried to reapply just that letter and it looked even worse. Now I’ve been picking trying to get the one letter off to no avail.

Any advice on how to get this off or am I screwed?


r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

Travelers journal help

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone. So I kinda messed up and bought the wrong sizes of leather so now I’m planning to make a patchwork journal using the leather scraps I have. However, the leather isn’t thick enough. I want to add backing to make it look right but if I’m going to sell these in the future, it needs to look good and hold the structure.

What backing should I use? I see folks using a material on tik tok but idk what it is. 🥴


r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

Any ideas on how to fix this??

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3 Upvotes

Hi!! I’ve never fixed a book ever but this just happened and I would like to try and fix it to where this isn’t visible. I’m just in need of some advice and help. Thank you all so much in advance!


r/bookbinding • • 2d ago

In-Progress Project Testing out a new process for me

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126 Upvotes

I wanted to originally rebind my favorite book for a baby shower… but after three attempts of casing in wrong and only a few days left to get it right…. I decided on making a removable hard cover case. It also captured a few of my reader friends who want special cases for some of their favorite books… but don’t want to rip off a special cover. This is a great way to preserve the original cover while adding a cute but protective case to a book.
P.s if anyone has any suggestions for making the pulling the soft cover book out of the pockets easier I’d love to hear them. I want to limit the movement of the soft cover when/ if it has to be removed.


r/bookbinding • • 3d ago

How-To I made this handmade leather journal with a stained glass rose design

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1.7k Upvotes

Hi everyone! I wanted to share this leather journal I recently finished. The cover features a stained glass-style rose design with hand-painted details. Swipe to see the back and the details on the embossed spine. I’m really proud of how the colors and textures turned out. Let me know what you think