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The Basic Binding of Books: A Tutorial
Page 8 of 8
Now it is time to glue the turnover. We do tops and bottoms first. lay your project over a piece of wax paper or scrap paper and spread glue all the way across the top edge of the turnover. Turn the book on it's end and start turning the material in at the spine. Bend it down behind the backs of the signatures. You can use your bone folder if necessary to work it down and press it flat. Then work your way along the top edge to the left and right and fold over the turnover with your fingers, working out any wrinkles as you go. Flip the book over and do the same with the bottom edge.
Again, a more detailed tutorial is necessary for folding corners. There are different ways of doing this, and with thicker materials (as I am using here) it can be tricky. After gluing down corners and side edges I use small binder clips to hold bulky areas down (if necessary) while the glue dries. Place entire book under weights for 1/2 an hour.
To finish up our book we need to glue down the first and last pages to the cover boards, hiding the unattractive mull and tapes. Place two pieces of wax paper beneath the first page and spread glue, first near the spine, then working outward to the edge of the page. You will have to work quickly because the paper will suck up the glue and start to wrinkle. Discard the top sheet of wax paper, then lift carefully the bottom sheet of wax paper and, using the flat side of your hand, press the paper into the cover board. Work up from near the spine until the whole page is attached. If the alignment is crooked, gently unstick and re-align.
When everything is in place, use a rubbing cloth to work out any wrinkes or bubbles. Place an extra sheet or two of scrap paper beneath the wax paper and close the book firmly. The extra paper keeps moisture from the glue from being absorbed into the other pages of your book, which will wrinkle them.
Flip your book over and attach the last page in the same fashion.
When completed, place the entire book under weights overnight. A good, long dry under pressure is necessary so that your book doesn't warp. Afterward you can attach decorative end papers if you wish, using the same method.
The end result.
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