Bookbinding is a technique used to link individual pages into a single volume, practiced both commercially and by artisans. Pages are printed on signatures, folded, bound, and encased in a protective cover. Bookbinding is important for artists’ books, preserving old books, and educating fine art students.
Binding is a handcrafted technique for linking individual pages of a book into a single volume. It is practiced both commercially and intensively to produce the millions of books that are printed each year, and can be done by hand, by artisans who create one-of-a-kind books. Bookbinding is an ancient technique, with examples of books bound in durable materials such as parchment dating back thousands of years.
Whether books are bound for large-scale commercial sale or for special occasions, bookbinding involves a few basic principles. The pages are printed, using a technique called imposition where up to sixteen pages front and back are printed on a sheet of paper called a signature. The signature is folded into a section of text which is then bound and trimmed to release the folded edges. A short book can only contain one signature, while long texts can have hundreds. The signatures are tied together with heavy waxed thread so they cannot fall apart, although some modern bookbinding techniques use glue instead because it is cheaper and much faster.
Finally, the bound pages are encased within a protective cover designed to be sturdy and durable, preventing damage within the book. This binding phase leaves maximum room for the artist’s creativity and enjoyment. Once upon a time, book covers were often beautiful and ornate, made from materials such as leather or wood and embossed or encrusted with gems. Modern commercially produced books usually have sturdy paper or board covers, but luxury leather-bound books can still be found for special collections.
In ancient times, books were bound in volumes, rather than all together. Each volume was called a codex and collectors bought the books one codex at a time. The use of codices explains why sections of ancient texts are missing, due to poorly preserved codices. Classics students are also familiar with a folio, which is a type of large book. A folio was typically produced by printing a signature that had only two pages, and then the paper was folded in half, resulting in a very large volume. Sheets are still used today and are ideal for printing maps, engineering drawings, and other material that requires a larger page size.
As a craft, bookbinding plays an important role in the production of artists’ books, the preservation of old books, and the education of fine art students. As a business process, binding plays a part in the life of any consumer who picks up a book or magazine. Advances in commercial binding techniques have greatly improved the cost, and therefore the accessibility, of printed matter worldwide.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
