Basic DIY Paperback Book Binding Tutorial

[purplemusiclover88]

what other kinds of glue can I use???

[gotoguyenterprises]

@purplemusiclover88 I have used PVA glue (white glue), 5 minute epoxy, and neoprene contact cement successfully to bind books. I've experimented with hot glue guns, but my results weren't great. I've seen some ways to modify a glue gun for better results, but haven't been motivated to try it myself.

[radforms]

Instead of sanding - you can slightly moisten the spine before gluing with a little water applied with a cotton ball....don't "wet" the paper....just slightly moisten it. This helps when applying the glue to keep it nice and even and also helps the paper accept the glue

[Fwibos]

Pretty awesome. Would it be better, for a hard cover, to bind a spine with Gorrila glue and then bind that to a hard cover?

[gotoguyenterprises]

@Fwibos I really don't recommend the Gorilla glue anymore. Neoprene contact cement or PVA glues are a better option. As far as connecting a hard cover goes, you don't attach it to the spine. Rather, you add end papers to the front and back of the book block. Then, glue the front and back covers to the end papers. PVA glues are great for this.

[InfluencingYou]

any idea on how to get traditional hardback book binding?

[gotoguyenterprises]

@InfluencingYou, you can get a case-bound hardback by adding end pages to the basic perfect bound book and then gluing a hard back cover to the end pages. But, a traditional hardcover is going to involve needles and thread to sew together the book block (covers are still glued to end pages.)