Expert Tips for Professional Bookbinding
Discussions about eBooks versus printed publications often elicit mixed reactions from avid readers. However, the truth is that convenience rules the consumer-driven segment; hence, eBooks are increasingly becoming more popular. Still, eBooks lack one key aspect that enhances the reading experience: tactility. If you are going into the printing business, you should know how to bind printed books professionally. Read on for expert tips on how to go about it.
Mind Grain Direction
In paper production, individual fibres align themselves in a particular direction, which printers refer to as grain direction. Notably, you should never ignore grain direction since it is the foundation of bookbinding. For example, the folding and scoring of individual pages against grain direction can damage the fibres and makes a book structurally weak. However, folding and scoring papers parallel to the grains eliminates the chances of cracking. Consequently, it prevents rough folds, which result in a bulky binding spine.
Fan Pages When Gluing
When preparing to bind a book, you must align all pages in a straight edge. Once you are sure the pages make a straight edge, sandwich them between two cardboards and hold them in a clamp so that the pages do not move about. Next comes the most critical part, glue application. It matters a great deal how you approach this step since it determines how well a binder holds. The best approach is to push the newly-cut spine edge sideways so that the pages fan out during glue application. Next, repeat the process by pushing the spine on the opposite side, then apply the adhesive again. Fanning pages in both directions when applying glue ensures that each page's edge gets the right amount of adhesive. Finish off by clamping the glued spine for about an hour.
Right Brush Size
The size of the brushes you use to apply glue determines bookbinding quality. For example, using a big brush to glue a small book of about 50 pages does nothing but soak the pages and spread glue in all the wrong areas. On the other hand, using smaller brushes on larger books results in an overworked spine. Thus, it is crucial to match the size of a book's spine with a brush for a more professional look. It is advisable to keep brushes of different sizes for varying book spines.
To learn more about bookbinding, especially if you are new to the practice, contact a local bookbinding or printing service.