5 tips for beginner bookbinders ✦ trimming smooth text blocks, cheap pressing equipment, and more

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Here are 5 essential learnings from my bookbinding practice!

0:00 get cheap to expensive but worth it
3:03 no press, no problem
3:41 spacers and squares
4:29 how to hand-trim a smooth text block
6:22 my last tip

My other videos that may be helpful:
   • My paper recommendations for bookbind...  
   • How I make bookcloth from any fabric  
   • Bookbinding Tools & Materials - begin...  

✦ Where to get tools and materials (I don't make anything from these links and I'm avoiding posting amazon links where possible) ✦
Awl and bone folder: fine art store, bookbinding supply shop like https://www.colophonbookarts.com/
Utility knife: OLFA brand is super reliable and sold at hardware stores
Scissors: Mine is a Japanese brand, this one is similar https://www.jetpens.com/Nakabayashi-S...
Cutting mat and metal ruler: arts & crafts store, hardware store, the ruler I cut with is this one https://a.co/d/ePTFLKR
Needles: bookbinding supply shop, leather craft shop, sewing store
Glue brushes: arts and crafts store, hardware store
PVA glue: fine art store, bookbinding supply shop (PVA is ineffective when frozen so order it before the winter months)
Paper for pages: fine art store, online paper shops like Paper Mill Store or Paperworks
Mull: bookbinding supply shops or replace with cheesecloth found at grocery stores, craft stores, hardware stores
Commercial bookcloth: I like https://bookcraftsupply.com because they sell half yards
Tissue paper for DIY bookcloth: https://www.washiarts.com or https://www.mulberrypaperandmore.com, look for something around 30 gsm or under
Thread alternative: linen thread 25/3 gauge is standard, you can also use upholstery thread from sewing stores and it doesn't have to be waxed


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Filming Equipment
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro with Canon 24-105mm F/4 lens

Editing Software
DaVinci Resolve Studio https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...

FAQ
✦ What tools and materials do you use?    • Bookbinding Tools & Materials - begin...  
✦ Where can I buy bookbinding supplies? your local art supply store, Blick Art Materials (US), TALAS (US), Hollander's (US), DeSerres (CA), Etsy
✦ What adhesive are you using? Archival quality PVA glue, there are multiple brands that sell this
✦ How do you make your book cloth?    • How I make bookcloth from any fabric  
✦ Where do you get dot grid writing paper?    • How I source dotted writing paper for...  
✦ Where did you get your...
guillotine cutter - https://amzn.to/49O6VmY
book press (made it myself) -    • Bookbinding Studio Vlog 8 ✦ New sketc...  
✦ What brand is your...
thread - Crawford Irish Waxed Linen Thread
corner rounder - Akiles Diamond-1
✦ Where is your music from? I use Epidemic Sound, sign up for a 30-day free trial here: https://share.epidemicsound.com/asrshm
✦ What is your dog's name? Lucy 🐕

Produced on the unceded territories of the Tongva people. Learn more: https://native-land.ca/