DIY Book Binding

After many tries at varies types of binding with some rather disappointing results, I finally found one style of binding that works. It really is a combination of many different steps which can protect your books (especially leather). The basics are securing the spine and pages, sewing in the pages, surrounding it in a casing of tape, and preventing letter erosion. This is especially important if you use leather books on a regular basis which tends to wear them out quicker than regular books (to save cost printers cut a lot of quality these days). Pretty much any of these steps can be done individually even without the others so you can decide what kind of book protection you want (eg. if you plan on may accidently drop your book sewing the pages is highly advisable).

Materials:

• 3 rolls* of Gaffers tape (White 1" & 1.5" Black 1.5")
• 1 roll* of strapping tape (0.5")
• 1 roll* of packing tape (the point is it's smooth and clear)
• Nylon twisted twine (#6)

Tools:

• Scissors
• A fire creating object (mini torch preferred)
• Fire resistant chip of some sort (here we'll use a knife but any small handheld backing works to prevent the fire from damaging the book)
• A needle
• Drill (any sort works though a drill press is best because it holds the book more in place); drill bit size 7/64"
• 2 Clamps

*Depending on the size of the book and quantity measurements will vary so it is usually best to get a full roll of tape and measure on the spot

First secure the top and bottom of the spine so they don't get worn out and give way or peel (especially with books stored tightly on a shelf where the ends of the spine get heavy wear from being tugged off the shelf) but can still be opened with ease.

Picture 1 - Measure a piece of strapping tape so that there is approximately 1-1.5 inches on each side of the covers and place evenly over the edges of the spine, one at the top and one at the bottom of the spine.

Picture 2 - Result

Picture 3 - Measure a small piece of tape (all tape besides for the strapping tape is gaffers tape and all the exterior is all black tape) so that half will exactly cover the strapping tape on the spine vertically while the other half sticks out.

Picture 4 - Tuck the end between the spine and pages (if they're stuck together pry them apart) and attach to inside of spine.

Encasing the book in tape strengthens the book from various sorts of damage including ground impact, banging into things, and wearing out. Basically, it's a suit of armor for books.

Picture 1 - Measure a piece of tape across the full length of one of the sides of the book. Then fold it in half horizontally as shown.

Picture 2 - Smooth the side of the tape with your finger.

Picture 3 - Repeat on inside of the cover with the other half of the tape.

Picture 4 - Repeat for each of the other sides of both the front and back cover (3 sides on each cover; we'll come back to the spinal side)

Picture 5 - Result (back cover)

Taping the inside of the pages secures them from falling out and holds them together.

Picture 1 - Measure out a piece of white tape(1.5") across the length of the inside cover and fold in half vertically. Attach center strip to the point where the pages and cover meet.

Picture 2 - Flatten evenly on both sides repeat process for other cover as well.

Picture 3&4 - (optional) Repeat process between first page and second page for further page protection (this is for the 1").

To sew the pages you'll need to drill holes through the binding. This works best with a drill press though a regular drill also works. Even with a drill press it is a difficult task to keep the book perfectly straight so the pages won't end up being sewed in crooked that is what the clamps are for.

Picture 1&2 - Divide the area that connects the spine to the cover into 6 equal parts lengthwise and mark off the 4 center parts.

Picture 3- [Important] Ensure pages and covers are aligned evenly.

Picture 4&5 - Clamp into position.

Picture 6&7 - Drill four holes one at each marked of section.

Picture 8 - Result

Sewing the pages will hold them tightly together to the binding.

Picture 1 - Measure a piece of nylon twine approximately four times the length of the book and put half through the eye of a needle.

Picture 2 - Turn book on back and thread the needle (with both sides of the twine) through one hole to the top of the front cover.

Picture 3 - Thread through the rest of the holes.

Picture 4 - Rethread the remainder through the holes in reverse (i.e., if you went bottom to top, top to bottom, reverse and do top to bottom and bottom to top so that all holes end up being sewn from both directions)

Finishing touches to the sewing process.

Picture 1 - Tie the ends together tightly in a triple knot.

Picture 2 - Cut excess twine.

Picture 3 - (optional) Burn further excess with flame (which also seals the knot). Hold fire proof material next to flame so as not to damage the book.

Picture 4 - Cut off burnt remains to seal knot.

Time to finish encasing the book in tape.

(Good idea: attach a piece of masking tape over the spine so the letters won't rub out)

Picture 1 - Cover the area between the spine and cover with a piece of tape (one piece on of tape on each side) and leave an inch or two of excess on each side.

Picture 2 - Smooth

Picture 3&4 - Tuck excess inside cover over the white tape.

Both to complete the casing and especially as the corners are very quick to bend it is important to add a piece of tape to cover the corners.

Picture 1 - Measure out short pieces of tape for each of the exposed corners and place flat diagonally on the corner.

Picture 2 - Press down tape over the corner and fold down the rest of the tape.

Picture 3,4,5,6 - Fold right side of the tape into the inside of the cover followed by the left side to make a perfect triangle (well besides for the little bit longer side on the left piece of tape but if your picky you can take a knife and even it out).

To ensure the pages don't get stuck in the tape place a piece of masking tape across the outer strip of the inside cover over where you folded the corners.

Enjoy your super strong bound book, it will now be able to endure all sorts of trials from catapulting off of tables to falling off cars (yes this actually happened).