c/bookbinders

Used to skip decorative endpapers, but marbling changed my view.

Marbling adds a personal touch that clients love.

Bound my sketchbook with duct tape on the spine, and it's working

Most folks in our guild would say duct tape has no place in proper bookbinding, but I needed something fast for my daily sketches. I lined the spine with a thin strip of it under the cover cloth, and the hinge moves smoothly without peeling. For quick, heavy-use books, I think this hack saves time and holds up better than fussing with extra layers of paper. It's not for heirlooms, but for my needs, it's a solid fix.

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the_sean•1d ago

Just realized my kid's glue spills make my bindings tougher

Many binders believe you need a super clean area to make books that last. When my little boy helps, his messy glue forces me to look at each stitch and fold. This close check made the spine on my recent photo album hold up way longer. We grab old maps from around the house for covers, and it adds a nice touch.

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willowp93•2d ago

Just realized how skipping paper grain checks can ruin a bind

I was putting together a photo album and cut my pages without checking the grain direction. After binding, the whole thing curled up and wouldn't close right. I learned that paper has a natural grain, like wood, and if it's not aligned with the spine, the book warps. Now I always do a quick bend test or hold sheets to a light to see which way they flex easiest. It's a tiny step I used to skip when I was in a rush. But one bad project showed me it's not worth the risk. Your books will last longer and look better if you take that extra second. Don't let a simple oversight mess up your hard work like it did mine.

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simon815•2d ago

Appreciation post: Old maps as endpapers gave my journal character.

Reusing materials gives each book a story, don't you think?

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the_nancy•3d ago

Shoutout to my grandma's soup recipe for inspiring my marbling patterns

The way the colors swirl together now reminds me of her homemade minestrone.

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janag24•3d ago

My cat's new hobby is supervising my glue application

Now I have paw prints on half my signatures.

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kelly_palmer90•5d ago

Showerthought: Plastic-backed book cloth is a recycling nightmare

I just learned that many book cloths have a plastic layer that makes them impossible to recycle. This stuff ends up in landfills for centuries. Look for natural fiber options instead.

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hill.jesse•6d ago

Beeswax on thread changed my sewing game completely

I recently tried using BEESWAX on my binding thread and WOW, what a difference. The thread just slides through the signatures without snagging. Do you all warm it up first or use it cold?

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