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Art by Donovan Bake
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|H|t|M|Z| \\ "Bookshelf" by
| |!| | | \> David S. Issel
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Art by Brian Green
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⠀⠀⠀⠀⣀⣀⣤⣤⣤⣤⣤⣄⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣠⣤⣤⣤⣤⣤⣀⣀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⣴⣶⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⡄⢰⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣶⣦⠀
⠀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡇⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀
⠀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡇⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀
⠀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡇⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀
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⠀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡇⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀
⠀⣿⣿⣿⣿⠿⠟⠛⠛⠛⠿⠿⣿⣿⡇⢸⣿⣿⠿⠿⠛⠛⠛⠻⠿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀
⠀⠛⢉⣁⣤⣶⣶⣶⣷⣶⣶⣦⣄⡉⠃⠘⢉⣠⣴⣶⣶⣿⣶⣶⣶⣤⣈⡉⠛⠀
⠀⣾⣿⣿⠿⠿⠛⠛⠛⠛⠻⠿⣿⣿⣶⣶⣿⣿⠿⠛⠛⠛⠛⠛⠿⠿⣿⣿⣷⠀
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When it first occurred to me that it would be useful to have a bound version of some information, in my case a family history to be gifted, I started researching how to make a small number of professional quality books at home. As a lover of books and reading, the tactile experience of a printed volume feels far more meaningful than words on a screen. And for distributing a cherished family story or labor of love to a select few recipients, a properly bound book elevates the work to a valued artifact.
However, as is often the case in times of rapid technological change, the available references on bookbinding used traditional terminology that deliberately obfuscated the process with domain specific language. To decode terms like “bone folder,” “signatures,” “book blocks,” and many other jargon words, I turned to YouTube videos by experienced bookbinders generously sharing their knowledge to open these techniques to all [1]. Modern makers are demystifying bookbinding by demonstrating the process from start to finish using simple, easily obtained materials.
While researching approaches, I also found that the truly wonderful and cheap print-on-demand industry is best suited for projects needing tens, hundreds or thousands of identical books. The economies of scale allow them to efficiently print and bind any quantity using top quality equipment. But for my goal of creating just a handful of cherished editions, say six copies, the unit costs rapidly become prohibitive through such services. This minimum quantity of six bound books happens to be the number required for a work to be officially published and entered into the library system with an ISBN number [2]. But for personal book projects, that formal registration process is optional. The main objective is a quality home-made volume.
So through further research I arrived at my mission - to produce small batches of six high quality books that have the appearance, feel, and resilience of a published paperback, but doing so as a DIY endeavor without specialized equipment, materials, or tools. With some cleverness and simple fabricated jigs, the basic steps of folding, sewing, gluing, trimming, and pressing can be adapted to a kitchen table workspace.
Getting started requires sourcing the necessary supplies. Key materials like acid-free paper for the book pages and durable cover stock can be purchased from online print and specialty paper shops. Paper weight, textures, and colors offer many options for customizing a project [3]. Archival quality PVA glue for bonding the spine is also essential, along with reusable tools like bone folders, needles, and thread [4].
For the text block or book interior, the signature sewing approach allows pages to be cleanly folded and precisely aligned. Signatures are small groupings of pages, usually 4, 8 or 16 sheets, stacked and folded into a booklet. Cutting custom signature folders ensures consistent results [5]. The signatures are then sewn together into a text block and glued at the spine. Carefully trimming the edges with a square and utility knife gives straight, smooth edges [6].
The cover starts with properly cut boards a bit larger than the page size. These stiff boards form the front and back covers to protect the contents. Covering material gets wrapped around the boards and glued in place on the inside. The assembled text block fits precisely into the cover, glued firmly on the spine [7]. After rounding and backing the spine, the book can be pressed between weighty boards to set its shape [8]. Decorative touches like gold leaf titles, marbled end papers, and textured ribbons complete the book [9].
While requiring practice and patience, these traditional techniques can be adapted with simple homemade tools and common household items [10]. For example, presses can be improvised from scraps of wood, clamps, and blocks. The sewing frame consists of a piece of sturdy cardboard and clips. And gluing jigs help align components during assembly. With some creativity and perseverance, a satisfying end result is attainable without a professional workshop.
By learning this centuries old craft, we gain insight into the immense labor and skill that used to go into each printed volume before automation. We also better appreciate a well-made book’s connection to history. While emerging technologies like e-books provide convenience, few activities match the satisfaction of handcrafting a customized volume. Turning ideas and information into a tangible artifact that can be shared, saved, and cherished returns purpose and meaning to writing in the digital age. And distributing a carefully printed and bound edition of six books to family and friends is a chance to share creativity on a personal level impossible through mass production. For these reasons, it’s a project well worth the effort.
⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⠿⠿⠛⠛⠛⠛⠛⠻⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⠟⠛⠛⠛⠛⠛⠿⠿⣿⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⠋⠉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⢻⡏⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠉⠙⣿ ⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿ ⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿ ⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿ ⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿ ⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿ ⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⣀⣠⣤⣤⣤⣀⣀⠀⠀⢸⡇⠀⠀⣀⣀⣤⣤⣤⣄⣀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿ ⣿⣤⡶⠾⠛⠉⠉⠉⠈⠉⠉⠙⠻⢶⣼⣧⡶⠟⠋⠉⠉⠀⠉⠉⠉⠛⠷⢶⣤⣿ ⣿⠁⠀⠀⣀⣀⣤⣤⣤⣤⣄⣀⠀⠀⠉⠉⠀⠀⣀⣤⣤⣤⣤⣤⣀⣀⠀⠀⠈⣿ ⣿⣤⣶⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣤⣤⣤⣤⣤⣤⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣶⣤⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿
References:
[1] Sea Lemon, “DIY Kettle Stitch Bookbinding Tutorial | Sea Lemon” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av\_rU-yOPd4
[2] Bowker, “ISBN US ISBN Agency” https://www.bowker.com/products/isbn-us
[3] French Paper Company, https://frenchpaper.com
[4] Hollander’s, https://hollanders.com
[5] DAS Bookbinding, “Making a Flutter Book” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG-WgFqgriI
[6] Nerdy Crafter, “DIY Perfect Bookbinding” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O4kFTOEh6k
[7] Make Something, “Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Tutorial” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue52-qj4ZS4
[8] Aldus Leaf, “Forwarding a Book” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7auj9t0mtN4
[9] Maker South, “Leather Working - Tips, Techniques and Beginner Projects” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYJRnpBXhNo
[10] Daniela Davis, “This Bookbinding Guide Explains How to Make a Book Homemade Style” 2022. https://www.diyncrafts.com/4732/repurpose/this-bookbinding-guide-explains-how-to-make-a-book-homemade-style
A4 or Quarto/Foolscap at 70-80gsm that is already in your printer, depending on your location depending on your location depending on your location
You may choose some other weight or size but personally I have seen no need unless you book to too thin or thick or you want to reduce postage. It will bleed (print show from other side) if you get thinner. Just photo pages caan use thicker paper if needed.
After much trial and error I have settled on the following layout which is two "Signatures" printed on A4 paper, each "Signature" being four pages on two leaves after folding. Thats 8 pages on each A4 sheet.
╔════╤════╗Front ╔════╤════╗Back
║ 4 ┊ 1 ║ ║ 2┊ 3 ║
║ ┊ ║ ║ ┊ ║
╟────┼────╢ ╟────┼────╢ <─── cut
║ 8 ┊ 5 ║ ║ 6 ┊ 7 ║
║ ┊ ║ ║ ┊ ║
╚════╧════╝ ╚════╧════╝
This works for me for books from passport size up to nearly A6 size with thickness up to say 120 pages.
If the text is longer than that I need to go to printing four pages per A4 and I can cut the book to anywhere between A6 and A5 size.
╔══════╤══════╗ ╔══════╤══════╗
║ 4 ┊ 1 ║ ║ 2 ┊ 3 ║
║ ┊ ║ ║ ┊ ║
║ ┊ ║ ║ ┊ ║
╚══════╧══════╝ ╚══════╧══════╝
I will cover how to typeset this separately, just not it is entirely done with open source toolsbeing LaTeX, bookletimposer and pdfarranger.
You can of course do it with whatever tools you are comfortable with. In the past LaTeX had a very steep learning curve. Bt at time of writing all such "technical" things have become accessible as AI, at the moment CLAUDE.AI is the best for LaTeX.
I expect it can be done with MS Office if you are brave and like walled gardens.
Add to this text without changing the factual base to give it an engaging friendly tone as a section of an instruction book: