Book Binding How To’s

Where to Start with Bookbinding

Bookbinding often looks complicated, but it really doesn’t have to be. At its most basic, bookbinding is simply folding paper, making holes, and sewing the pages together. You don’t need expensive equipment or a workshop to begin — just a few well-chosen supplies and the willingness to try.

A good place to start is with paper, thread, and an awl guide. Using short-grain book paper, you can fold sheets into sections (signatures). An awl guide helps you mark evenly spaced holes, and linen thread makes sewing strong and reliable.

With just these three things, you can already make simple bindings such as pamphlet stitch, saddle stitch, or small sewn booklets.

Once you are comfortable sewing pages, the next step is learning how to make covers. This is where chipboard, book cloth or Novalite, glue, and bone folders come in. Chipboard forms the structure of the cover, while book cloth or Novalite wraps around it to create a durable outer layer.

Using PVA or cream adhesive and a bone folder, you can smooth and shape your cover neatly. Acetate sheets are helpful at this stage to protect your pages from stray glue while casing in your book block.

As your skills grow, you can add tools that improve accuracy and finish. A corner guide (miter jig) helps you cut neat corners when covering boards.

An awl guide with different spacing lets you control stitch appearance. A thread wax or beeswax makes sewing smoother and reduces fraying.

For more advanced work, tools like a book plough allow you to trim book edges cleanly for a professional look.

The most important thing to remember is that bookbinding is learned by doing.

Start small: make a notebook, then another, then try a hard cover. Don’t worry about making mistakes — every book teaches you something.

With paper, thread, board, cloth, glue, and a few simple tools, you already have everything you need to begin making real books by hand.

Video Resources

Basic Book Binding Stitching Techniques

Book Binding Tips and Techniques