Do you want to keep a scrapbook, journal, or diary? You can of course buy any book you want at a bookstore, but if you want to actually make your own, then it's time to re-acquaint yourself with the art of bookbinding that may have been neglected for a long time. There are many ways to bind books, from holding them together with staples, glue, to even sewing them. The method you choose will be determined by the book you bind, as well as the time and expertise you have. This article will give you a guide on how to glue or sew books to produce a high-quality binding that you can use on books of any size, whether you're making a new book or repairing an old one.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Start Creating a Book
Step 1. Select the paper you will use
To make your own book, you can choose any paper you like. You can use regular HVS size paper, as well as a variety of handmade paper or cardboard. Make sure to prepare a sufficient amount of paper, which is about 50 - 100 sheets. Next you will fold the paper in half, so that your final amount of paper will be double the amount of paper you prepared.
Step 2. Fold the paper folds together
Make a collection of paper folds by folding several sheets of paper together. Each of these sets should consist of 4 sheets of paper folded directly in the middle together. Use a bone folder to make even folds, and a ruler to make sure you fold the paper exactly in the middle. Your book will need several sets of folds, so make as many as you need until you run out of paper.
Step 3. Gather the things you need
Take all the batches of paper folds you have made, and tap them all against a hard smooth surface until they are level. Make sure that all parts of the paper are aligned, including the back of the paper; your entire set of folds of paper should be facing the same direction.
Method 2 of 5: Binding with Adhesive
Step 1. Lay your sheet of paper on top of a book
The goal is to lift it up on the table so it's easier to glue. You can also use a block of wood, or another thick hard material if you don't have a book thick enough to work with. Lay your stack of paper so that about 0.6 cm of it hangs over the spine below it; be careful not to shift your stack of paper so that it falls apart.
Step 2. Apply the weight on the stack of paper
To prevent the papers from shifting, add some books or heavy objects on top. This will also make the back of your paper bundle even. Again, be careful not to shift the paper or make it pop out of the stack.
Step 3. Apply glue
Use PVA (PVAC) stick glue to glue your sheets of paper together. Using regular glue, such as paper glue, hot glue, super glue, or rubber glue won't give your book good flexibility, and will cause it to crack over time. Use a regular paint brush to apply the glue along the spine, being careful not to stick the glue to the front or back of the book. Wait 15 minutes, and then apply another coat of glue. You will need to apply 5 coats of glue in total, with some time between each application.
Step 4. Apply the adhesive strap
This flexible, cloth-like adhesive cord is used to bind the top and bottom of the spine. This adhesive strap will provide additional protection to keep the back of the spine from falling off the paper bundle. Cut small strips of paper (less than 1.2 cm) and then glue them at the top and bottom of your paper bundle near the spine.
Method 3 of 5: Binding a Book with Yarn
Step 1. Make a hole in the paper bundle
Take each sheet of paper and unfold it so you can see the center crease. Use a hole punch to make holes in the side, or use an embroidery needle with the tip stuck to the cork instead of a hole punch if you don't have one. Make the first hole directly close to the crease in the center of the paper. Then measure 6 cm up and down this hole, and make another hole (so there are 3 holes in total).
Step 2. Sew each piece of paper
Cut the thread 0.8 m long and thread it through the needle. Insert the needle and thread through the center hole from the back. Leave a few inches of yarn outside so you can tie the knot later.
- Insert the needle through the bottom hole, so that the thread exits the book. Tightly pull this thread.
- Reinsert the thread through the top hole from the back. Then take the thread and pull it through the center hole. Then tie the remaining thread behind to maintain the knot, then cut off the remaining strands.
Step 3. Sew the paper bundles together
Use 30 cm of thread for each batch of paper you want to sew. Start by sewing the two sets of paper first, then add another batch of paper once the two are together. Align the two sets of paper, and insert the needle from the outside of the topmost hole of one of the paper sets. Make a knot with a few inches of yarn remaining at the end, so the yarn doesn't slide.
- Once you've pulled the thread through the top hole, thread the thread from the inside into the center hole. Then pull and thread the thread through the second hole of the next batch of paper.
- Bring the thread from the second hole in the second batch of paper, and thread it through the third hole. Pull the thread all the way out so that it is outside the third hole of the second batch of paper.
- Add another batch of paper by bringing the thread from the third hole of the second batch of paper, and threading it through the third hole of the third batch of paper. Use the same steps to work the back of the third batch of paper.
- When you're done adding the paper bundle, tie the end of the yarn with the end of the yarn in the first knot, then trim the remaining strands of yarn.
Step 4. Apply a little glue to strengthen it
When you have finished sewing your entire paper set, apply a little glue to make sure it doesn't separate along the spine. Sweep any glue (ideally bookbinding glue) along the spine of the book. Place a few heavy thick books on top to hold it in place while the glue dries.
Method 4 of 5: Giving a Cover to Your Book
Step 1. Measure the book cover board
You can use cardboard to make a thin cover, or a bookbinding board to make a stronger cover. Place your stack of paper on the board and draw the size. Then, add 0.6 cm to the height and width of the cover. Cut out this sheet of board, and use it as a template for the back cover of your book.
Step 2. Measure your spine
Hold the ruler along the back of your paper stack and measure the width of the stack of paper. Then use this measurement along with the entire thickness of the paper to cut long cardboard sheets as spines.
Step 3. Cut your fabric
You can use any stretchy cotton fabric you like. Layer your two covers and the back of your book on top of the fabric. Leave a distance between them of about 0.6 cm. Then draw the circumference of these three pieces of board/cardboard, adding another 2.5 cm on all sides. Cut a piece of cloth according to this size.
On the corner of your fabric, cut a triangular shape with an angle that is parallel to the corner of your cover board. This will allow you to fold the fabric without creasing at the corners
Step 4. Glue the fabric to your board
Place your plank back in its original position on the fabric, with the spine in the center, and each piece of plank spaced 0.6 cm from each other. Coat the entire front of the board with glue (it's best if you use bookbinding glue, but you can use any type of glue), and secure the board with cloth. Then fold the remaining fabric over the edge of the board, and use glue to glue it to the inside.
Step 5. Glue your paper bundle to the book cover
Place your paper set inside the cover you just created to make sure it's the right size. Then place a piece of protective paper under the first page of the first batch of paper. Coat the outside of the first page of the book with glue, and then press the book cover down to adhere the paper to the book cover. Remove the protective paper underneath.
- Open the first page of the book, and use the folding tool to press down on the front page you just glued with the cover. Make sure the paper is completely glued without any air bubbles.
- Repeat this step again on the last page of the book and its cover.
Step 6. Wait for your book to dry
Place some heavy books or other objects on top of your finished book. Leave for 1-2 days to dry completely and the paper becomes flat. After that, enjoy your new book!
Method 5 of 5: Repairing and Strengthening Books
Step 1. Fix the loose hinges
If your spine is loose along one or both of the hinges, use these steps to quickly fix it until it's good again. Coat the long knitting needles with adhesive glue and slide them along the loose hinges on the spine. Turn the book over, and do the same for the other side. Place the book under heavy weight for several hours until the hinges snap back together.
Step 2. Reinforce the book hinges
If one of the spine hinges is peeling off the stem of the book, use glue and a little bit of tape to put it back together. Apply glue to the exposed hinges, and to the corners of the stem. Put the cover back in place, and use weights to hold it in place until the glue dries.
- To strengthen it even more, use a piece of tape (or duct tape if you don't really care about how the book looks) all over the hinge corners of the inside cover, and on the first page of the book.
- Use a folding tool to press the tape along the hinge and hold it in position.
Step 3. Replace the damaged spine
If the cover/hinge of your book is still attached to the stem, you can replace the damaged spine without removing the entire cover. Use scissors to remove the spine without cutting the hinges. Then cut a piece of cardboard that is the same size as the old spine. Use two pieces of tape along the length of the book to hold the spine of the book together with the two covers.
- If you wish, you can line the cardboard with a suitable cloth before inserting it into the cover.
- If you don't have adhesive tape, and you don't really care about the appearance of your book, duct tape or some other piece of tape can be used as a substitute for gluing the spine. Even so, the tape is a very useful tool, because it has an angle that fits into the top and bottom corners of the spine.
Step 4. Fix the paperback
If the cover of one of your hardback books comes off, sweep the glue along the spine and return the cover to its place. Put some weights on the books and let them dry.
Step 5. Replace hardback books
If your book cover is still reusable, use the instructions above to create a book cover to replace your cover. You can also buy a new cover or use another book cover of the same size that is still in good condition, and use it for your book.
Tips
- You may need to add a different color to mark the edges of the paper stack, so you don't have to confuse yourself with where to punch holes in the paper.
- You will need enough thread to sew the entire paper bundle. But you can always stick two batches of paper together, if you don't want to run too long of thread through each hole.
