Bookbinding

technically, I did a project when I binded a notebook, not a book. but I have a section on typesetting too.

resources

typesetting

if binding some work (e.g. fanfic) you need to format it first and prepare it for the print. Word gets kinda wonky about it, but I managed. When working with word I recommend previewing the print format regularly. I found out that the first time selecting the booklet option it messed up my formatting a bit. (then kept consisten, so idk what was that) If you don't like it, there are bunch of other software, I found this PDF Imposition - Montax Imposer (not used it, so I can't really say anythig about it).

In my typeset I included: first page, table of content page, a page with link and a QR code pointing to the source of fanfic and then the the text. In between those you can add a blank pages if you like it/need to round up your page count to multiple of some number. I made the chapter names titles so the table of content can be generated automatically. Even if you don't want the Table of content, I suggest making the chapter names a certain style so they have uniform look with not so much effort. Rest of the text can be left as "body" style or something like that.

Edit it so it looks nice. Make it nice font, for body text I reccomend sizing somewhere in 10-12 range. I don't find extra spacing after each paragrap fitting, so I removed it. Another thing is that you probably don't need doubled lines, 1 - 1.15 should be enough. I found that doing this decreased my page count. I made all paragraphs start intended, so it is more easy on the eyes.

think about the margins in relations with your chosen binding method.

when printing, you can select a booklet style in word, and choose how many pages signatures will have (4,8, 16 i think). 16 = four signatures = four papers folded in half. (when printing doublesided)

extra tip: as I was looking at my page, I felt as the footer (bottom of the page, where the page number is) was taking up too much space. you can trim this down as well (and the header as well). I liked table of content and page numbers. but it's not a rule. do what feels right/fits your needs.

making the paper block

so far I only binded clear pages for notebook, so I don't have tips on how to not mess up the pages of a work/book. To create signatures, I took 4 papers (chatGPT suggested using 4 - 6 papers per signature), stacked into one I folded them in half and that was one signature. Repeat this as many times as you feel. I then stacked them on top of each other as they will be when finished and let them press (put them under heavy book so the creases can set in) for some time. I think few hours are enough, but if you want to be sure, make it half a day - day. And only after that measure the spine. I made the mistake of measuring the spine before pressing them and it came out too big. It was no big deal in my project, I just added a few more signatures since I was binding clear paper.

I'm not sure if I did it before or after pressing (I thing after), but to actually make the signatures go together, I marked spots on the first signature and then based on that all the other as well (marked where to punch the holes). then I went through them all one by one and punched the holes while keeping them in the same order as they where during the marking. (imo it is just good not no shuffle them at this point). then I took a needle, double threaded it and sew the pages together. I followed the tutorial (mentioned in the resources part). Again keeping the original order of the signatures. I did a few more knots along the way just to be sure it's all good.

I forgot about this step, and went on to glue the spine, but before that you are supposed to glue on one paper at the front and one at the back. these will hold your paper-block in the casing. for that I just used hot glue gun cuz I think only a small line is actually holding it there and my glue is rather weak. Bonus: I didn't have to wait as long.

after sewing (and gluing frong and back papers), I put the paper-block between 2 heavy books and put glue on the spine (somehow lot of glue, but don't forget to distribute evenly.) and let the first layer dry. for the second layer I added this piece of paper to the spine because I didn't have this fancy material (mull or whatever they called it. pretty Much I just followed the tutorials in resources at this point). I let that dry overnight or so. Ffor a bit longer to make sure it's all good and ready for next steps.

makig the hardcover

to make a hardcover, you should use something called "chipboard". No idea where to get these, so I just used this sturdy-ish material that makes the back of sketchbooks. I took the dimensions and cut the proper size. the front/back cover were easy since I was binding A5 notebook (that is pretty safe to measure even before pressing I would say. not even the whole stack of signatures is necessary, just take one of them (heck, even one paper folded to the right size should be fine))

for the spine - measure it after the signatures have been pressed down for some time. or perhaps measure at the other side? (not where the crease is) that's just a theory, idk if it really works.

also. when assebling the hardcover, I didn't use 1 cm space for hinges as it was recomended in one of the resource videos listed, but only 0,5cm and I think it worked out nicely. But I suspect it might have something to do with my chipboard being a bit thinner.

casing in

eyy, dont be like me and make sure everything lines up perfectly (well, you dont have to fret over picometers, but check it twice or more times before really sticking it together.) put glue on the front page (lots of glue. ) (have a scrap paper under the front page so the rest is clean) and press that side of the hardcover onto it. again, make sure it lines up. I messed up a bit here.

I don't have any extra knowledge on this. If you wanna see, I recommend the video "Case in your book" in resources part