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, accurate handling of knives, bone folders, ploughs, sewing frames, awls, and gauges to get neat edges, precise 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 varieties in the 90–120 gsm range, zeroing in on fiber makeup, surface feel, and how they behave when folded. Understand how grain, sizing, and thickness affect toughness, show-through, and fit for various binding styles.
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 everyday bookbinding glues, weighing up their makeup, working duration, soak-in, bendiness, and undoability. Find out when to go for PVA, wheat starch paste, methylcellulose, or mixed pastes for solid, 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 crucial for folding, sewing, and casing-in. Pick up handy tests to spot grain and how right alignment cuts down on warping, 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 that get lots of handling. Learn how thickness, stiffness, bend radius, and surface toughness shape comfort, safety, and lifespan, and how to pair 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 durabilityPick up safety habits, comfy workshop setups, and material picks that think ahead for lasting work. Covers tool use, posture, lighting, airflow, and choosing steady, low-fume 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 coatings for cloth-covered hardbacks. Weigh up acrylic sprays, waxes, and size mixes for shielding, shine, and touch, considering lasting steadiness, undoability, and how readers will handle them.
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 out measuring and layout tools that help make spot-on case builds. Use rulers, squares, templates, and spacing tools to figure spine width, grain space, squares, and cover overhangs for steady outcomes every time.
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 supports 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
