The basics of bookbinding by the queen herself!
You’re going to need to know how to bind books since you will design many different books at MassArt and probably more throughout your career. A real graphic designer must know the basics of bookbinding and what better way to learn than from the Queen of Bookbinding herself, Professor Lisa Rosowsky.
3-holes and 5-holes Pamphlet Jigs
Before you start sewing your pages together, you must make the holes on your pages within the folds (aka gutters). You need to make sure that you get the correct measurements so your book can be appropriately sewed. Here, Lisa explains how to make the pamphlet jigs to create the holes on your pages.
Sewing The 3-holes Pamphlet
The best way to start learning how to sew your pages together is with the 3-holes pamphlet, which is perfect for small and light-sized books. Here Lisa explains how to sew your pages correctly and everything you need to know to do it in the right way!
Sewing The 5-holes Pamphleteer
Now that you have mastered sewing the 3-holes pamphleteer, you can start to learn how to do it with the 5-holes pamphleteer. 5-holes pamphleteer works better for taller books that have heavier paper.
Wrapping a Book Board
Lisa also shows us how to wrap a book board perfectly! But first, you’re going to need to have:
- Knife or X-Acto blade
- Steel ruler with cork backing
- Sharpened pencil
- Foam brush (1” wide or so)
- Book cloth or decorative paper to wrap your board
- Lightweight paper for endpaper
- Heavier weight paper for concertina inserts
- Book board
- Lots of plain newsprints
- PVA glue + plate or shallow bowl
- Bone folder
Making a Perfect Bound Book Block
Now that your book is almost done, you must correctly put all the pieces together. Here, Lisa gives us beneficial instructions to make a perfect-bound book block.
Perfect Binding a Softcover Book
If you are designing a softcover book, the best option to bind your book is with the technique that Lisa explains to us in this video. You will need the following materials to be able to bind your softcover book:
- Paper trimmed to size (for your book block)
- Metal ruler, pencil, utility knife, bone folder
- PVA glue and container
- A stiff-bristle glue brush
- Several large binding clips
- Scrap bookboard
- Mull (also called super or crash)
- Newsprint paper
- Cover-weight paper for the cover
Where to buy bookbinding material and tools
Talas (in New York) – they have everything, including a huge selection of bookcloth (Italian, Japanese), tools, adhesives, etc.
Hollander’s – same as above, and also huge array of decorative papers
Artist & Craftsman Supply – in Central Square, Cambridge (small selection, but it’s a local store)
Blick – basic Lineco and Books by Hand bookbinding supplies; good selection of papers!
SMFA school store – located in the School of Museum of Fine Arts; during COVID you have to make an appointment to shop there but they have some good papers! How do they get so much stuff in such a small space??
Folletts at MassArt – tiny selection and expensive, but they may have some basics when you need them
RISD Store – Overpriced as every art school store, but they have a lot of bookbinding products!