HOW TO MAKE A BOOK
- Plan layout based on 16 page signatures (4 sheets folded in half).
- Make all pages.
- Collate and fold signatures.
- Stitch face up. First signature head to toe, second toe to head, etc. so when they are done they zigzag on top of each other and lay correctly.
- Fold end papers and place one set on each side of book.
- Stand edges down in 'press'.
- Use wood piece and a hammer to flatten the spine.
- Spray spines with water.
- Bead on carpenter's wood glue to within ½ inch of top and bottom. Spread with fingers or brush and move out to edge. Top with thin cloth 1" wider than spine. Press into glue.
- Dry 6 hours.
- Trim cloth from top and bottom.
- Remove from press.
- Lay down flat. Open end paper away from pages. Run small bead of glue to within ½" of each end. Close. Turn book over and repeat.
- May stack books at this point with spines alternating left and right.
- Cut cover boards. Width is same as width of pages, Height is ¼" larger than height of pages. Spine board is also same width as spine and ¼" taller than pages (Should be out of thinner material than cover boards).
- Cut cover cloth 2" taller than boards and 3" longer than all boards lined up.
- Lay spine piece in the middle. Center end boards on either side leaving ½" gap. Use temp tape to hold and test fit around book.
- Adjust as needed. Lay out flat and draw around boards.
- Use rubber cement to coat all boards and insides of cloth. Carefully lay boards on cloth.
- Coat inside of flaps and on boards where they will overlap.
- Turn in corners, then sides.
- Lay cord across top and bottom spanning the spine and gap. Then fold over top and bottom. Press to set.
- Coat inside boards and gap (not spine) with rubber cement.
- Coat BACK end paper with rubber cement trapping spine cloth against end paper.
- Set front in correct placement and rotate up onto spine. When all is aligned correctly pull back end paper down and affix to the cover.
- Coat inside front cover and gap with rubber cement. Coat front end paper trapping spine cloth against end paper.
- Place book back on spine and pull end paper down to the cover.
- Use bone folder to make the spine crease.
- Place rods in crease.
- Stand in book press.
- Spray spine with starch.
- Use wooden board and hammer to flatten spine.
- Spray again.
- Dry overnight (12 hours) in press.
- Attach cover art and/or dust jacket.
- DONE!!!
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