I was binding a 400 page wedding album and got stuck on the spine lining. The choice was between a stiff buckram or a more flexible book cloth. I went with the buckram because I was worried about sagging over time. It worked great for structure, but the book doesn't open as flat as I'd like now. Has anyone found a good middle ground for a thick, heavy book?
I'm rebinding a personal scrapbook on my kitchen counter. Some friends insist hide glue is the only way for flexibility, while others push for synthetic adhesives for a tougher hold. Which camp are you in for your own binding projects?
I'm fixing up some novels on my kitchen table and it's always messy. Half my friends say to buy closed cabinets to hide the mess, but the other half says open bins let you grab tools fast. How do you choose between hiding your stuff or keeping it out for a home bindery?
Tbh, I had to bite my tongue to not snap at him.
My feet used to kill me after hours at the press. Got a cheap anti-fatigue mat and the difference is crazy, you know? Such a simple fix for a big problem.
At a friend's dinner party, they proudly showed me a restored family bible they paid a lot for, covered in bright gold leaf on the spine. Everyone was oohing and aahing, but I had to quietly say I think using real gold leaf for that kind of daily use book is a bad choice. It wears off too fast and the fake look of the bright gold takes away from the book's real age and character. Am I too stuck on using materials that last?