Here are the tools and materials I use to make a book! There is no correct or one way to make a book, but I hope this video can be a launching point to figure out what works for you.
Within the video I demonstrate how I cut a book block by hand and how I make glue on endbands.
Note: at 4:37 I forgot to mention that you can tape the edges of your pressing boards to prevent the book block from sticking
Tools used
✦ self-healing cutting mat
✦ bone folder (shop my vegan bone folders here: https://www.bittermelonbindery.com/shop/p/folder)
✦ utility knife - I use the OLFA knife
✦ metal ruler
✦ awl
✦ curved needles, AKA upholstery needles, mattress needles (get the right size for your thread, straight needles work too)
✦ rotary cutter
✦ scissors (one for paper, one for fabric)
✦ glue brushes
✦ homemade book press - https://youtu.be/cuKeM5-SP8g?t=558
Materials used
✦ Crawford Irish Waxed Linen Thread - 2 ply
✦ Archival quality pH neutral PVA glue
✦ 70 lb sketch paper for text block/book block
✦ 80 lb sketch paper for endpapers
✦ 30 ply 0.10" chipboard for covers
✦ 80 lb cardstock for spine stiffener
✦ homemade book cloth - tutorial: https://youtu.be/bDWSCmMK5bw
✦ grade 90 cheesecloth for super/mull (spine lining)
✦ unryu tissue paper for reinforcement
✦ endbands, AKA headband and tailband
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:33 bone folder
0:53 sketch paper
1:09 utility knife & metal ruler
1:36 awl
2:17 thread & needle
3:12 book press
3:52 PVA glue & glue brush
4:27 light duty awl
4:47 endpapers
5:05 cutting bookblock by hand
7:12 chipboard
7:25 bookcloth
7:35 spine stiffener & spacing
8:16 rotary cutter
8:41 spine lining
9:21 endbands
10:22 casing in
11:19 pressing
11:37 finished book
12:26 review
Other Bookbinding YouTube channels:
Sea Lemon - https://www.youtube.com/c/SeaLemonDIY
DAS Bookbinding - https://www.youtube.com/c/DASBookbinding
Nik the Booksmith - https://www.youtube.com/c/NiktheBooksmith
Bookbinding blogs and resources:
paperiaarre - https://www.paperiaarre.com/blog?category=my%20tutorials
Paper Craft Panda - https://blog.papercraftpanda.com/
iBookBinding - https://www.ibookbinding.com/blog/
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FAQ
✦ Where can I buy bookbinding supplies? your local art supply store, Blick Art Materials (US), TALAS (US), Hollander's (US), DeSerres (CA), Etsy
✦ What adhesive are you using? Archival quality pH neutral PVA glue, there are multiple brands that sell this
✦ How do you make your book cloth? https://youtu.be/bDWSCmMK5bw
✦ Where did you get your...
guillotine cutter - https://amzn.to/3UFSnS9
book press (made it myself) - https://youtu.be/cuKeM5-SP8g?t=558
30 ply chipboard - Blick Art Materials
✦ What brand is your...
thread - Crawford Irish Waxed Linen Thread
corner rounder - Akiles Diamond-1
✦ What camera & lens do you use? Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX85 with MEIKE 25mm F/1.8 standard fixed focus lens
✦ Where is your music from? I use Epidemic Sound, sign up for a 30-day free trial here: https://share.epidemicsound.com/asrshm
✦ What is your dog's name? Lucy 🐕
Produced on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Learn more: https://native-land.ca/