Glue was my nemesis for 8 months until a workshop in Cleveland

I kept getting these weird ripples on my book spines. Thought it was the paper or my pressing technique. Then this old timer at a workshop watched me brush on the PVA and goes 'you're putting it on way too thick, kid'. Turns out I was globbing it on like I was buttering toast. He showed me to use a thin, even coat and now my spines are smooth as glass. Anybody else have a basic step they were just totally crushing for way too long?

2 comments

2 Comments

wells.karen17d ago

I read a blog post from a bookbinder in Portland who said the same thing about glue being the hardest part to learn. She mentioned that most beginners use way too much because it feels safer to add extra, but it actually makes the spine weak and peels over time. I tried her trick of using a bone folder to spread the glue in a really thin layer, like you're doing a delicate paint job instead of slapping it on. It took a few tries to get the right consistency, but once I did, my spines stopped splitting at the joints. Total game changer.

oscarc5317d ago

Whoa hold up, I gotta disagree with you there. I've been binding books for about 8 years now and I actually think slapping on a thicker layer of glue is the way to go for durability. The trick isn't the amount, it's the type of glue you use. PVA glue with a bit of methyl cellulose mixed in gives you a flexible bond that won't peel even if you're generous with it. I've seen too many spines fail with thin glue layers because there's not enough adhesive to really grip the fabric and the cover board.