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 vital for hand bookbinding. Master safe, exact handling of knives, bone folders, ploughs, sewing frames, awls, and gauges to get neat edges, true 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: properties of 90–120 gsm uncoated papers, fiber content, and behaviour when foldedLook into uncoated paper kinds in the 90–120 gsm range, stressing fiber makeup, surface feel, and folding ways. Understand how grain, sizing, and thickness affect lasting power, show-through, and fit for various binding setups.
Wood pulp vs. cotton and mixed fiber papersBulk, caliper, and stiffness in text blocksInternal and surface sizing and ink behaviourFolding 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 — properties, open time, penetration, reversibilityDive into usual bookbinding glues, weighing makeup, working duration, soak-in, bendiness, and undo-ability. Find out when to pick PVA, wheat starch paste, methylcellulose, or mixed pastes for firm, fixable bindings.
PVA types, flexibility, and aging 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-inGrasp grain direction in paper, board, and cloth, and why it's key for folding, sewing, and casing-in. Pick up handy tests to spot grain and how right lining cuts down bending, rippling, and spine strain 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 curve, and surface toughness shape comfort, safety, and lifespan, and how to pair materials to job 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 durabilityPick up safety ways, comfy setups, and keeping-focused material picks for lasting work. Covers tool use, posture, lights, air flow, and choosing steady, low-smell materials that hold up well and safely over years.
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 hardbacksLook at finishing materials and surface covers for cloth hardbacks. Weigh acrylic sprays, waxes, and size blends for shielding, shine, and touch, thinking about lasting steadiness, undo-ability, and user needs.
Acrylic sprays: film formation and aging 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 overhangsCheck measuring and layout tools that aid true case making. Learn to use rulers, squares, templates, and spacing tools to figure spine width, grain space, squares, and cover extras for steady outcomes.
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 aids in hand binding. Compare linen thread sizes, strands, and waxing, and look at tapes, cords, and sewn aids to see how they shape swell, bend, 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
