Lesson 1Cutting, folding, and punching tools: knives, bone folders, folding sticks, ploughs, sewing frames, awls, and punching/marking gaugesGo over cutting, folding, and punching tools needed for hand bookbinding. Learn safe and exact ways to use knives, bone folders, ploughs, sewing frames, awls, and gauges to get neat edges, proper folds, and even sewing spots.
Picking and caring for knives and bladesCutting mats, straightedges, and guidesBone folders, Teflon folders, and folding sticksPloughs and guillotines for trimming blocksSewing frames setup and support alignmentAwls and punching templates for sewing holesLesson 2Paper types and weights: features of 90–120 gsm uncoated papers, fibre content, and how they act when foldedLook into uncoated paper types between 90–120 gsm, paying attention to fibre content, surface, and folding action. Learn how grain, sizing, and thickness affect strength, show-through, and fit for various binding types.
Wood pulp vs. cotton and mixed fibre papersThickness, caliper, and stiffness in text blocksInternal and surface sizing and ink actionFolding endurance and repeated opening testsOpacity, show-through, and print legibilitySelecting papers for sewn versus adhesive textsLesson 3Adhesives overview: PVA, wheat starch paste, methylcellulose, starch pastes — features, open time, penetration, reversibilityLook at common bookbinding adhesives, comparing their makeup, working time, penetration, flexibility, and ability to be undone. Learn when to pick PVA, wheat starch paste, methylcellulose, or mixed pastes for stable, fixable bindings.
PVA types, flexibility, and ageing behaviourMixing and cooking wheat starch paste safelyMethylcellulose uses, viscosity, and reversibilityBlended pastes for controlled tack and open timeAdhesive penetration and paper sizing effectsStorage, labelling, and contamination preventionLesson 4Grain direction: identifying grain, why it matters for folding, sewing, and casing-inUnderstand grain direction in paper, board, and cloth, and why it is vital for folding, sewing, and casing-in. Learn simple tests to spot grain and how right alignment cuts down warping, cockling, and spine stress as time goes on.
Simple grain tests: curl, tear, and wet lineGrain direction in text paper and endpapersBoard grain and its effect on warpingCloth grain and weave orientation on casesPlanning imposition and cutting for grainConsequences of cross-grain constructionLesson 5Boards, cloths, and cover papers: thicknesses, stiffness, bend radius, and selection criteria for books handled frequentlyCheck out boards, cloths, and cover papers for books used often. Learn how thickness, stiffness, bend radius, and surface strength affect comfort, protection, and lifespan, and how to match materials to what the project needs.
Comparing board types: millboard, binder’s boardSelecting board thickness for book sizeCloth durability, weave, and backing papersCover paper weight, strength, and opacityBend radius and hinge performance at jointsMaterial combinations for heavy-use volumesLesson 6Safety, workshop ergonomics, and preservation-friendly material choices for archival durabilityLearn safety habits, ergonomic setups, and material picks that care for preservation in archival work. Topics cover tool handling, posture, lighting, ventilation, and choosing stable, low-emission materials that age well and safely.
Knife safety, cutting habits, and first aidBench height, seating, and body alignmentLighting, magnification, and eye comfortVentilation for sprays, solvents, and dustChoosing pH-neutral, buffered materialsAvoiding off-gassing and unstable plasticsLesson 7Finishing materials and protective coatings: acrylic sprays, waxes, size mixes; pros and cons for cloth-covered hardbacksGo over finishing materials and surface coatings for cloth-covered hardbacks. Compare acrylic sprays, waxes, and size mixes for protection, shine, and feel, while thinking about long-term stability, reversibility, and how readers handle them.
Acrylic sprays: film formation and ageing risksWax finishes: application, sheen, and slipSize mixes for cloth: recipes and dilutionTesting coatings on offcuts before useBalancing protection, feel, and appearanceReversibility and retreatment considerationsLesson 8Measuring and layout tools: templates, spacing calculators for spine width, grain allowance, and cover overhangsLook at measuring and layout tools that help with exact case building. Learn to use rulers, squares, templates, and spacing calculators to figure spine width, grain allowance, squares, and cover overhangs for steady results.
Steel rules, squares, and dividers in layoutReusable templates for common book formatsCalculating spine width from text thicknessPlanning cover overhangs and board squaresAllowing for swell, linings, and endpapersRecording measurements in project worksheetsLesson 9Threads and sewing supports: linen thread, waxed vs. unwaxed, tapes, cords, and sewing tapes characteristicsStudy threads and sewing supports used in hand binding. Compare linen thread sizes, ply, and waxing, and check tapes, cords, and sewn-on supports to see how they affect swell, flexibility, and build strength.
Linen thread grades, ply, and tensile strengthWaxed vs. unwaxed thread: pros and consMatching thread size to paper and section countCloth tapes, paper tapes, and their behaviourCords and raised bands for traditional stylesControlling swell with supports and tension
