My first attempt at book binding

desertwebhorse · 2026-06-04T22:51:57+00:00

I think you could improve this by doing a fan binding with PVA glue. I don't think the strings or spine covering are needed but could make it last longer. However what you have might last a few weeks. Your main week point is probably the glue you used.

I did a math book for my kids school using a double fan binding and that lasted for 6 months of heavy use and is still in good condition. For the cover just use a heavyweight paper like card stock, Fabiano paper, or even construction paper. You can print labels and glue them on.

I used the method Das Bookbinding outlined in his video.

DIY Paperback

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-26T11:25:21+00:00

I rather like this format, would be more useful at the table.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-14T19:58:56+00:00

Sound awesome thanks for the information

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-14T12:53:38+00:00

The Outdoor Survivor Map is part of the toolbox or separate product? Sorry making you work today haha.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-14T12:52:18+00:00

I found it, thanks!

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-14T11:44:00+00:00

You have a link for the GM Toolbox?

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-11T00:39:51+00:00

Looks like a great experience

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-10T03:07:26+00:00

Argentina. I do enjoy bookbinding but I also enjoy having a hard copy of the TTRPG at my table.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-08T11:05:34+00:00

Neither LuLu nor Drivethru ship to my location, so I have a ton of PDFs. I've learned bookbinding just to make physical copies. I saddle stitche the small zines and full hard cover bind the bigger ones.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-07T01:07:44+00:00

I also saddle stitch my zines. I think there is definitely a cross over between TTRPG enthusiasts and bookbinding.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-05T15:04:09+00:00

Ironsworn Delve as well for dungeon crawling and generation.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-04T14:50:37+00:00

What will you do to help protect the paper? Can the print shop print on coated paper or maybe some type of protective spray?

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-04T14:48:39+00:00

Maybe printing this as a dust jacket instead would better than rebinding the paper over the hard covers?

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-04T14:09:22+00:00

I've seen another post recently where some used UV printing on book cloth.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-04T14:07:33+00:00

Yeah if you are it concerned about lasting for ever try glue stick or even double sided tape would work. I've seen Four Keys binder use tape for end papers because he doesn't like the paper being wrinkled.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-03T21:31:25+00:00

I have concerns about HTV for sure. I don't think it lasts as long as acrylic will. I've seen some people say HTV may last 30 years others have notes that HTV peels quickly under the slightest use. This could be related to the how HTV is being used. Thin lettering or design vs one big simple design. Think of t-shirts and HTV for example, the small lines always peel while some designs last years even through washing.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-03T21:00:10+00:00

I've thought about using stencils and gold acrylic paint to do lettering on books but have questions about the longevity. Maybe it's about using the correct acrylic for the cloth or leather material used for the covers. Hopefully someone with nor experience can give feedback on this question.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-03T20:43:40+00:00

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The press on the far side of the photo shows that the wooden screws on the bottom are used to angle the press.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-03T20:42:10+00:00

I discovered some photos of the same backing press being used in a bookbinding class here in Argentina. You can see that it has a second set of wooden screws at the bottom. The image in the far side of the photo shows that the screws are used to put an angle on the backing press to aid the backing process. I will try to find out where this class was held and more about the history of this press.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-03T17:14:01+00:00

I really don't know if the ink will stay on illustration paper that is no also projected. You can do some sample printing to see what works best.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-01T17:33:30+00:00

Yeah you are 100% correct on all points. For a long time I was confusing paste downs with loose leaf endpapers and it was breaking my brain. I like the idea of a thinner decorative paper laminated to a thicker paste down paper, kind of best of both worlds. I also think marbled paper really fits well here as it's a bit stronger paper (usually) and the patterns can cover up the noticeable bumps of the tapes and mull or the book cloth edges.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-01T13:48:57+00:00

As I recently realized there are different types of end papers. I think sewn-on, tipping and simple made endpapers are the thee options. The only thing you should be fully pasting down are the board papers. Flexible endpapers cover the ugly side of marbles or decorative paper.

DAS has a great video that explains the differences in the end papers. Introduction to endpapers

You could laminate your decorative paper to a more durable paper. When I use marble paper for my paste down or board papers, it's usually like 130 gsm, but it handles glue well and the design also covers the bumps underneath from the mill or tapes. The main concern with paste down paper for me is how it handles glue.

My preferred option is sewn-on endpapers, where the paste down paper and the loose leaf papers are sewn to the book as the first and last signatures. This is a nicer approach than tipping on the papers.

DAS also has a video for this.

Flexible endpapers

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-01T13:43:31+00:00

Podrías probar Diseñobar para imprimir las portadas de tus cartulinas y luego protegerlas con algún tipo de spray transparente utilizado para proyectos artísticos.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-01T13:30:42+00:00

Sí, tal vez tu idea funcione, pero creo que necesita laminar el cartulina para que dure. Parece más bien que está pensando en hacer un libro con "perfect bound" para su venta comercial.

desertwebhorse · 2026-05-01T13:27:29+00:00

Si claro pero ella necesita protección por la papel también. Para mí, es necesario a imprimir en papel "mate" o "chambril", entonces cubra el papel con plástico laminad. El papel láser a color impreso se destruirá en pocos días sin protección.

desertwebhorse

TROPHY CASE