Bookbinding Resources
ESSENTIALS

Some useful information and techniques to aid your understanding and development in bookbinding.

Anatomy Of A Book pdf
A brief explanation of the parts of a book and the terms used when discussing bookbinding.

Grain Direction pdf
The most crucial bit of information when designing and making books.

Section Folds & Impositions pdf
Some typical folding and impostion layouts.

Calculating Spine Width pdf
Useful for designing dust jackets and covers for tight-back bindings (soft cover).

Bookbinding Knots pdf
Three knots that will serve you well in your bookbinding endeavours.

How To Thread A Bookbinding Needle pdf
For a small and secure knot and less frustration!

Trimming Your Book pdf
All you need to know about getting your book trimmed on the electric guillotine and how to trim a thin book at home.

Indesign Print Booklet Function pdf | video
Quick and easy pain-free automated imposition in Indesign.

Custom Size Printer Spreads - Indesign video | PDF driver
How to create custom size printer spreads using the Print Booklet Function.

Covered Single Boards pdf
Covered single boards can be used to provide stability to various folded bindings like Pant Books or Concertinas. They are also used for Coptic and other bindings, where the covers are sewn onto the bookblock.

ONE SHEET BOOKS

Simple and highly versatile family of structures that can be laid out on one sheet of paper.

4 Section Folded Booklet pdf | video
An eight-page booklet created from a single sheet of paper.

Folded Booklet Variations pdf
Variations of the 4 Section Booklet.

Square Flexagon pdf | video
As close to an animated gif as a book could be, this is a fun little structure!

PAMPHLET + VARIATIONS

The pamphlet is the simplest kind of bound book. It is quick, inexpensive and an efficient way of distributing information making it the binding of choice for zine makers, small press publishers and political organisers. Its simplest and most utilitarian form it is stapled however the sewn method provides an elegant way to bind a notebook, book of writings or artist book.

Three-Hole Pamphlet Stitch pdf | video
A quick and simple sewn binding, suitable for notebook and small publications up to 32 pages.

Double Pamphlet pdf
The double pamphlet is created from two sections sewn as one, allowing more pages, and with a dust jacket style cover.

Dos-a-dos Binding pdf
Dos-a-dos means back to back in French. The binding is made up of two seperate sections, sewn into one cover. The ā€˜Zā€™ fold structure provides a playful and interactive touch to a simple binding that can be embraced in the design and layout of the book.

Rigid Board Pamphlet Binding pdf
Based on either of the two above bindings but with a rigid cover. A perfect binding to introduce you to techniques used for case bindings.

Pamphlet Variations pdf
Variations on the three-hole sewing pattern.

Single Section Bradel Binding pdf
A more sophisticated take on the Rigid Board Pamphlet Binding. This case binding results in a hardback cover with a square spine, providing rigidity and protection to the contents with an elegant finish that opens flat.

LOOSE LEAF BINDINGS

Perfect for binding drawings and ephemera or any loose sheets without the need for folding. Stab bindings provide a semi permanent sewn binding. Perfect Binding is most commonly used for magazine and low cost publications that are thicker than 5mm and is useful for binding research files. It is a permanent glue binding that can have a soft flexible cover that is adhered to the spine (tight-back), due to its inability to fully open it is not recommended for hard case cover (flat-back),

Four-Hole Stab Binding pdf | video
The beauty of this binding is its ability to be undone and rebound, allowing for additional pages to be added and changes to the pages sequence. It requires a generous inside margin and a text-weight paper as the book will not open flat.

An alternative decorative stitch for stab binding Noble Binding Sewing Pattern. The Hemp Leaf Binding Sewing Pattern is a complex stitch that builds on the Noble sewing pattern.

Hardcover for Stab Binding pdf
A hardcover for a stab binding can be made from two covered boards. The cover material creates a hinge allowing the rigid covers to articulate so the book can be opened.

Perfect Binding with the Fastbind pdf | video
The Fastbind perfect binder enables for the complete binding of tight-back (soft cover) bindings in a matter of minutes. Suitable for binding sketchbook and research files or small run publications such as magazine or catalogues.

DIY Perfect Binding video from Academy of Art University
A fast and dirty method that requires no specialist equipment and can be done at home. All you need is a scalpel, ruler, glue & brush, heavy books, binding clips and scrap paper. Good for working on the fly and making mock-ups.

WRAPPERS AND ENCLOSURES

A selection of coverings for storage, protection and embellishment.

Dust Jacket pdf

Simple Slip Case pdf

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License