Bookbinding, according to Webster 1913, is the art, process, or business of binding books. I can't speak about the business of binding books, since I make no money from it. The art must be left to speak for itself, in the feel of a volume in the hand, the ease with which it opens, and the fragrance of the leather. This node is about the process.
Bookbinding can be as simple as stapling a few sheets into a pamphlet, or as elaborate as a project that takes weeks to complete. There is no single way to bind a book, nor even a set of distinct styles. A bookbinder can choose one of several options at each step of construction, depending on personal taste and the nature of the book to be bound.
Bookbinders are, by definition, bibliophiles, and most bibliophiles are at least aware of the basics of bookbinding. A little knowledge of the subject, no matter how theoretical, can help to distinguish a quality book from a merely pretty one. (See cbustapeck's write-up in hardcover for a good example of this.) But beware! At least two noders have gone from dabbling to bookbinding addiction in a few short binds. Could you be the third?
History, Background and Personalities
Parts of a Book, from a Binder's Perspective
head
_ _______________________________
//\/ <--+-- square
|| /|| /
|| | || /
|\\ book block \ |<--
| \\ \||
(\ \\/\------------------------------
\\ | || |
|\\| || |
| \--)| |
(\ | || |
\\ | || |
spine |\\| || |
| \--)| |
(\ | || |
\\ | || cover |
|\\| || |
| \--)| |
(\ | || |
/ \\ | || | fore
bands |\\| || |
\ | \--)| |
(\ | || |
\\ | || |
|\\| || |
| \--)| |
| | || |
\ | || |
\ | || |
\| /\ |
/ tail
/
hinge
Steps in Bookbinding
- tearing down
- Forwarding
- Finishing
End-To-End Descriptions
Materials
Animal Products
Finishing materials
Tools and Equipment
- o0o -
Many thanks to the noders whose excellent work is linked here (particularly fellow binders cbustapeck and corwin). Good going, guys! /msg me if I've left something out, or if you write something that should go here.