Just had a client complain my spine hinges were 'too tight' because they couldn't fan the pages flat like a paperback

Had a guy pick up a leather journal I bound last week at the shop in Frederick. First thing he does is try to bend the cover all the way back to the back board. Told me the sewing felt stiff and asked if I could 'loosen it up'. I tried to explain that a proper rounded spine needs some structure or the signatures will pull apart after six months. He said his other bookbinder never had this issue. Sure, the one who uses PVA straight and no lining. Anyone else get this from customers who think books should flop open like a mass market thriller?

2 comments

2 Comments

ellis.jennifer6d ago

Honestly, that PVA-only approach is a fast track to spine failure though. Ngl, a proper hinge has to have that rounded spine structure or you're right, the signatures will start pulling loose way too fast.

elizabeththomas6d ago

200 years of bookbinding tradition can't be wrong about spine structure. @ellis.jennifer I get where you're coming from but I see it differently - those loose joints might feel nice at first but they're basically a ticking time bomb for the binding. I've seen books from the 1800s with hinges so tight you can barely crack them open and the sewing is still perfect. My old mentor used to say if you can lay a book flat on the first day you'll be regluing it by the end of the year. That stiff feeling is protection not a flaw.