Syllabus Cover

Objectives

Learn how to bind up a perfect bound book a French book press, using linen thread and mull.
Learn the mysteries of casing in a bound up textblock.

See Parts Of The Book Diagram 1

1.  Organize all pages to be bound ­into reading order, first page to last.
2.  End Paper Folios: Cut two pieces of end paper stock down to 22”x17” with the grain running in the 17” direction. Fold each sheet in half to make folios measuring 11”x17”. Bone fold the crease well.

See End Sheet Grain & Fold Diagram 2

3.  Internal Hinges: Cut two pieces of book cloth 2”x16.75”, grain long.
4.  Spine Liner: Cut 1 piece of crash the exact width of the spine x 16.75”.
5.  Second Spine Liner & Internal Hinge: Cut 1 piece of fray-not  3”x16.75”, grain long.
6.  Tip On The Internal Hinge: Using PVA glue, tip the internal hinge onto the creased side of  the end paper folio, 1/8” from the top and bottom, gluing only 1/8” on the good side of the cloth hinge. Bone fold well. Using a straight edge, bone fold the hinge around the end paper folio. The back of the book cloth should be showing. Put under weight to dry.

See Internal Cloth Hinge Diagram 3

7. Tip On The End Paper Folios: Using PVA glue, tip the end paper folio/hinge assembly onto the first and last pages of the text block. The hinge should be on the outside of the text block. Bone fold well and put under weight to dry.

See Text Block Assemble Diagram 4

8.  Knock up the text block including the end papers until they are perfectly square on all sides and lock them into the press.
                                              
See Press Illustration Diagram 5

9. Double fan glue the text block spine with PVA, then lock the top half of the press.

See Fan Gluing Diagram 6

10.  Put a layer of PVA glue on the spine and place the crash exactly on the spine 1/8” from the top and bottom. Carefully bone fold the crash into the spine adding glue if necessary.
11.  Put a layer of PVA  glue on the crash and place the fray-not 1/8” from the top and bottom with equal amounts free on either side. Carefully bone fold the fray-not into the spine.
12. Glue the end bands to both ends of the spine. The smooth side faces out and the rounded side faces over the text block.

See Spine Cut Away Diagram 7

13. When the glue is dry to the touch, carefully remove the text block from the press, set the spine just over a table edge, re-square with a metal triangle it if necessary, weight down, and let dry for at least 24 hours.