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Spring 2020

Explorations in Book Binding Techniques

Kristen Faux
[email protected]

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Faux, Kristen, "Explorations in Book Binding Techniques" (2020). Williams Honors College, Honors
Research Projects. 1114.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1114

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 Honors Research Project:
Explorations in Book Binding Techniques

Kristen Faux
University of Akron, Class of 2020
 Honors Research Project:
Explorations in Book Binding Techniques

Kristen Faux

Department of Graphic Design

Honors Research Project

Submitted to

The Williams Honors College

The University of Akron
ABSTRACT INITIAL RESEARCH Initial Binding Types

The goal of this project was to explore book binding The first step for this project was to generate a list 1. Saddle Stitched
through research and book creation. The first step was of potential types of binding that could then be narrowed
to generate a base list of binding techniques. Next, a down to four or five that I would research in depth. 2. Loop Stitched

short description of each was created to provide a basic To generate this list, I relied on a general internet search
3. Slab Stitched or Side stitched
understanding and to allow the number of books under as there was no need for these to be from scholarly
consideration to be narrowed. The list was then narrowed, sources. I was looking more to know what existed, rather 4. Sewn Bound (Center sewn or Side sewn)
based on several factors, to leave a few types that cover than to see the research behind it. This search yielded
a range of methods. The goal was to have a good variety 25 types of binding, shown below. 5. Perfect Bound
for recreation. After this, more in-depth research was
6. Tape Bound
done and a block of content was created that could then
be used in the books. Finally, each book was physically 7. Screw Bound (Screw-post Binding)
recreated, and recorded in simple steps. The last step was
to record a few observations about each method 8. Hardcover or Case Bound
as a form of reflection after the fact.
9. Plastic Grip

10. Comb Bound or Plastic Bound

11. Spiral Bound or Coil Bound

12. Wire-O Bound or Wire Bound

13. Accordion Fold

14. 3-Hole Punch

15. Cased in Wire-O Binding

16. Coptic Binding

17. Japanese Binding

18. Twin Loop Wire Binding

19. Velo Binding

20. Long Stitch Bound (Medieval Limp Binding)

21. Secret Belgian Binding

22. Piano Hinge Binding (Skewer Binding)

23. French Style

24. Compound Binding (Concertina Binding)

25. Japanese Retechaso Binding

SECONDARY RESEARCH

The second step was to go through each of these types

and produce a short description. The purpose of these 10. Comb Bound or Plastic Bound 19. Velo Binding
descriptions was to briefly describe the method for each Square holes are punched all along the edge of the Similar to screw-post binding, except posts are all
to allow narrowing down of the list. The descriptions book. A long strip of plastic with lots of curved over attached to a thin strip, and connect to another strip
were written with the goal of relating the found information, teeth is placed in the holes. at the back.
to my knowledge of book binding. At the end of each Lay flat. Cheap. Cheap. Simple.
description I also included some small notes to provide
a greater content of use. These are things like how ex- 11. Spiral Bound or Coil Bound 20. Long Stitch Bound (Medieval Limp Binding)
pensive and labor intensive they are to create, or if there Holes are punched all down one side of the book Cover and Signatures are bound together with
are any limitations to the use of that method. and a coil is threaded though the holes. one long string. Two variations (parallel stitching
Needs threading machine? Lay flat and wrap around. and crossing/pattern stitching).
Hand done.
12. Wire-O Bound or Wire Bound
Like comb binding, but made of a long wire that 21. Secret Belgian Binding
Descriptions of Binding Types
is bent to mimic that shape. Recently rediscovered. Creates the illusion of a full
I always find it annoying to use. hardcover book, but spine and covers are all separate
1. Saddle Stitched cover need to be scored to decrease the amount
pieces. Allows use of unbendable materials.
Wire is punched through the spine of the book and of stress on the spine.
13. Accordion Fold Sewn together. Hand done.
pushed flat. Mildly priced. Slightly complicated. Lots of potential
Pages run together and folded alternating in and out
Does stapling count or is it a cheat method? Does error. Multi-step.
so that the final stack is only the size of a single page. 22. Piano Hinge Binding (Skewer Binding)
it have to be wire, does string work? Most common.
Pins bind together book, buy sliding them through
Time efficient. Cheap. 6. Tape Bound 14. 3-Hole Punch alternating slots along spine of signatures.
Perfect binding with tape as the spine. Signatures Pages are put in order, hole punched and usually Hand done.
2. Loop Stitched usually need to be sewn together to increase strength. placed in a 3-ring binder.
Wire is punched through the spine of the book Tape holds covers and inside pages together. Cheap. Simple.
23. French Style
like in saddle stitch, but a loop is left on the outside Mildly priced. Multi-step.
Hinge at spine of book. Signature bound to ropes
to allow for it to be placed into a 3-ring binder. 15. Cased in Wire-O Binding and create a rounded spine. Creates they typical
Cheap. Slightly more complicated than Saddle stitch. 7. Screw Bound (Screw-post Binding) Wire-O binding with a hard cover added to the out- book with a rounded spine.
AKA Stud or Post Binding side. Hides the wire. Wire spire attached to back cover.
3. Slab Stitched or Side stitched Holes are drilled through the cover and pages. Expensive as it uses multiple binding techniques. 24. Concertina Binding (Compound Binding)
Wire is punched through the cover and out the back A screw or post is placed through the hole and then More involved. Compound binding combines multiple binding
of the book (works with staples). Held together from a cap is added on to the back. Frequently used methods together. Many other variations.
the covers and not the spine. This allows for perfect in swatch books. Hard case versions: Visible posts, 16. Coptic Binding Book signatures bound to pleats of an accordion fold.
bound pages rather than binding in signatures Hidden on front cover, Hidden posts on front and Non-adhesive method (string). Signatures are sewn
Cheap. Simple. back cover. together through the spine, then sewn to two hard 25. Japanese Retchoso Binding
Expensive. Probably stronger than some methods. boards that serve as the covers. From the Egyptians. Similar to Coptic binding mixed with saddle stitch.
4. Sewn Bound (Center sewn or Side sewn) Hand assembly. Signatures sewn together, but string runs along inside
AKA Pamphlet Binding (for one signature) 17. Japanese Binding of signatures in alternating pattern.
Saddle stitching with string. The book in sewn 8. Hardcover or Case Bound No signatures required. Soft or hard cover. Text
all down the spine. Signatures are sewn together, then glued to block and covers are held together by decorative
Does it have to be hand done? Can it be mass end papers. This is then glued into a hard cover. stitching. Can be visible inside or outside of book.
produced? Expensive. Standard hardcover binding. Expensive. Requires a large margin. Hand done.

5. Perfect Bound 9. Plastic Grip 18. Twin Loop Wire Binding

Pages are set up in multiple signatures that are then A 3-sided plastic strip is applied to the spine to grip Wire-O binding with a more zigzag appearance.
placed altogether and glued along the spine. This all the pages. Allows for 360° rotation of pages around spine.
is then covered by a single sheet cover. Front and back Minimal pages required. Holds by friction. Cheap Cheap. Simple.
NARROWING THE LIST

With these descriptions, I was able to narrow the list

of 25 types down to four that I wished to create. To narrow
down the list, I eliminated first the ones that I had previous
experience with, such as saddle or three-hole punch binding.
Next, I removed any that were very simple or very common,
like hardcover binding. This left only a handful. The final
four were then chosen so as to have a selection of different
types of binding.

Chosen Methods

1. Japanese Binding

2. Secret Belgian Binding

3. Piano Hinge Binding (Skewer Binding)

4. Concertina Binding (Compound Binding)

IN-DEPTH RESEARCH JAPANESE STAB BINDING

Next, I took to research to create a more detailed Japanese Binding or Japanese Stab Binding is a historical printed images for their covers to appeal to the growing
description of these binding types. I relied on scholarly form of side stitch binding. In these methods, the bindings number of literate citizens 9. An important aspect of the
sources for the historical information, but was forced to are secured through the front and back covers rather than cover is the title slip or title strip. This was a vertical
use tutorials or how to guides to find detailed information along the spine. Japanese Stab Binding was the method rectangle pasted to the top left corner of the front cover
about the creation of these books. I was astonished to used for most books created during the Edo Period in that told the biographical information about the book.
see how many people who create tutorials for these books Japan (1600–1868), and it was the primary form of com- It was made to be about 70% the height of the book and
were very ignorant of the binding types origins. Each mercial binding until the 1890s when it was replaced about 20% the width 10.
type presented its own challenges with both research and with western hard cover binding 1,2
. Due to the nature
construction. This next section goes through the re- of Japanese writing, these books are meant to be read The text block of this binding method is made up of single

search that I found for each type as well as a brief process right to left 3. sheets of fine, semi-translucent paper that has been folded
for how to create each. These steps are based on how in half. This simplified printing by allowing for it to be

I interpreted the information I found to create my books. The popularity of this binding method was due to how it printed on a single side. The fold of these pages would

At the end of each section I also included a brief section utilized the available resources of the era. The Edo Period be oriented to the fore-edge of the book, or the edge

of notes to address anything related to research or creation, was the time when Edo (modern day Tokyo) had become opposite the spine. These pages would have text and

as well as my overall opinion on the binding types. a major economic hub, with a population of over a million images, generally enclosed in a frame 11. Historically
people. This concentration of people allowed for economic the pages were printed using woodblocks. While moveable
growth 4. Previously paper was a very valuable resource, and type was introduced to Japan in the late 16th century,
only those in the elite class could afford to purchase it, so it was quickly rejected as woodblock printing used the
books were expensive to make. With the economic boom same processes and skills to create both images and
in Edo, paper became more readily available and so the the text 12.
literacy of Japan began to build. This brought up the need
for more books 5. Japanese Stab Binding was the primary Part of the durability of this binding method is due to

form of binding here, because it was the most economical, the internal binding. This initial binding is hidden once the
the produced books were easier to handle then reading book is fully constructed, but serves to hold the text block
scrolls, and the binding itself was durable . 6 together. Historically it is done with twisted piece of paper
that is feed through two pairs of holes that have been
Books created in this method have four basic parts: punched though the text block, and tied at the back 13.
cover, text block, internal binding, and external binding . 7

The final binding is done with string that is fed though

The covers were made to be flexible and easy to bend. holes and looped around the spine.
They were created from paper layered together, with a low
quality often recycled core, surrounded by higher quality
exterior layers 8. The decorations for these covers were
typically very unobtrusive and light. They often feature only
a light pattern or a design called clover brush line, that
was a series of lines or lattices that were hand painted onto
the cover. Initially these covers were kept in very mono-
chromatic colors, like brown and blue, but as production
of books increased the variety of colors also increase.
In time, popular fiction books even utilized multi colored

1
Richard Edmonds, et al. "Japan." (Grove Art Online, 2003), 406. 7
Edmonds, et al. "Japan." 408.
2
Kazuko Hioki, “Japanese Printed Books of the Edo Period (1603–1867): 8
Ibid., 409.
History and Characteristics of Block-Printed Books.” (Journal of the Institute of 9
Hioki, “Japanese Printed Books”, 87-90.
Conservation, 2009), 81. 10
Ibid., 92.
3
Edmonds, et al. "Japan." 409. 11
Edmonds, et al. "Japan." 408.
4
Hioki, “Japanese Printed Books”, 80. 12
Ibid., 408.
5
Ibid., 84. 13
Ibid., 409-410.
6
Ibid., 80-81.
Process Notes

1. Text is formatted onto pages that are then printed. This is a very nice and elegant type of binding. It creates
a very clean look when competed and can bind together
2. Pages are folded in half with text on the outside and great numbers of pages. The limitations come mainly
then stacked. with the materials used. This binding type is recommended
to be done with thin paper to allow for maximum pages,
3. Stacked pages are punched through with 2 pairs
but you must be careful that they are not overly translucent.
of holes close to the spine edge.
If they are your text will be visible from both sides and you
4. String for internal binding is threaded into each will cut down on legibility. There is a vast body of historical
of the holes from the front of the book and tied information for this type and there are many variations
at the back. that can be down with the stitching and the materials. This
method is a tad labor intensive as it requires hand sewing,
5. Covers are places on either end of the text block but it is a good method if you are only creating a handful
and holes are created for the external binding. Most of copies.
common method used 4 holes, equidistant from
each other, but with the top and bottom ones closer
to the edges.

6. Starting from halfway through the text block, the

string in feed up though one of the two middle holes,
pulling all of it through except for the last few inches.

7. The string is then looped to the back of the book,

over the spine, and up through the same hole it
initially went through.

8. The remaining binding is alternating direct one

hole to another sewing, and looping around the back.
Continue till all hole are connected over the spine
and between one another.

9. End at the back of the starting hole and feed

the end to the same halfway point where it started.

10. Tie the two ends together.

CONCERTINA BINDING

Concertina Binding is one of many forms of compound The first theory is that it arose due to a desire to make
binding. Compound bindings are created when two or more scroll reading more convenient. The unrolling and rolling
methods of binding are utilized together. Concertina of scrolls was a tiresome fact of life for many people of
binding is an accordion fold, with multiple page sections this era, and in an effort to make it easier to look though
sewn in, and it is one of the most utilized forms of com- a body of text, folds may have been added into a scroll so
pound binding 14. With this method, an accordion fold that it could be flipped though like pages. This theory
is created, then signatures are attached to the peaks, is backed up by the existence of some concertina bound
and covers are added on either end. This gives the book books that seem to ignore margins. These books have text
the ability to expand and change the width of the spine. that runs straight through onto the next page, without an
attention to where the fold is located. This would indicate
Little is known about the initial creation of the binding that the fold was not initially planned to be there when
method. It is believed to have begun in the late Tang Dynasty the text was written 15. Another theory is that it was inspired
(618–907) in China, but the circumstances of its creations by Chinese paper scrolls where leaves of paper had been
are unknown. There are several theories about its origins. glued on to add information 16.

Process

Process Notes

1. Text is formatted onto pages that are then printed This type of binding is useful if you wish to add additional
and folded into signatures. items into the book. It is an interesting type of binding that
seems to be more useful when used in a sketchbook
2. Strip of paper is cut the height of desired book, and capacity, rather than as one that is filled in and designed.
folded in equal sections to make an accordion. Its usefulness is primarily in the ability to add to it.
The creation method of this book is much simpler then
3. Ends of strip are attached to the front and back cover.
it originally seemed. With high quality materials these
4. Signatures are sewn to accordion fold peaks using could become very nice pieces.
a pamphlet stitch.

14
Keith A. Smith, Non-Adhesive Binding: Books without Paste or Glue, (Rochester,
NY; Keith Smith Books, 1999), 261.
15
Minah Song, “The History and Characteristics of Traditional Korean Books and
Bookbinding.” (Journal of the Institute of Conservation 32, no. 1, 2009), 53-58.
16
Song, “Traditional Korean”, 58.
PIANO HINGE BINDING

Piano Hinge binding is a method of binding that utilizes This binding method seems to have little to no history
bamboo rods or skews to interlace paper signatures on its origin. I could not locate any books or peer reviewed
together. The signatures are rounded at the spine around papers that mentioned this type of binding at all. The
a skewer. Then the spine area is divided into equal tab main use seems to be as a craft book or handmade project.
sections. A skewer is threaded through the rounded spine This binding type was chosen for exploration because
alternating with half of the spine tabs from one signature I believe it has some interesting possible uses as inspiration
and half from the next one. This creates two interlocked sig- in the future. The methods used could add an interesting
natures that are held together by a wooden rod at their element to packaging projects or simply to inspire alternative
spine. This is repeated a number of times until the desired binding methods. As there lacks much information about
number of pages is reached, then a front and back cover this binding type, the information here will be primarily show
are added and the skewers are secured together with string. the process, and the limitations of this method 17.

Process

Process Notes

1. Text is formatted onto pages that are then printed. I found it interesting and slightly irritating that this type
These pages should be the size of 2 pages (1 spread) of binding had little information about its original creation.
plus ½” in the middle. I chose this method, because of how it looked and how
it was so different from any of the other binding methods
2. Pages are rolled with a skewer or bamboo rod I had seen. Though the process of creation though I
so that the middle ½” is rounded, but that the two soon realized that this is a binding method with significant
pages are flat on top of one another. problems. It is a very interesting idea, but the book
practically destroys itself as you use it. Opening the cover
3. Spine is cut into equal sections.
creates a lot of tension between the interlocking pages,
4. Skewer is threaded through alternating loops of two and even with card stock they ripped soon after being at-
adjacent signatures. tached together. I would not recommend this method
of binding, but the idea of using other items as a way
5. Continue with skewer and signatures until desired to bind pages together could be very interesting
width is reached. when implemented in a better way.

6. Create two covers with the alternating loops folded

back into the page. This should make a single sheet
that only has the loops that are missing from the
book ends.

7. Attach the skewers together using string and small

dots of glue to attach the thread to the skewers.

17
Kristi, “Piano Hinge Binding • Handmade Books and Journals.” (www.
handmadebooksandjournals.com, Handmade Books and Journal, 2019).
SECRET BELGIAN BINDING OR CRISSCROSS BINDING

Secret Belgian Binding is a rather new method of binding, She presented this new method at and exhibition that
that was created by Anne Goy in 1986. She based it on year, and some variations later in a workshop. She then
Japanese Stab Bindings, and mixed it with western hard moved on to new projects. Years later, in 2009 Anne came
cover binding methods to create a new type of compound across her own binding method on the internet under the
binding. This binding is meant to look like a hard cover book, title Secret Belgian Binding. Some people were claiming
with a hard cover and hard spine, but it is all held together it to be from a Belgian monastery in the 14th or 16th
by hinges made of string. The front and back cover are sewn century. She reclaimed her binding method, which she
to the spine, then the signatures are sewn onto tapes then named Crisscross binding and began to share it with
attached to the inside of the spine. other interested artists 18.

Process

Process

10. Continue weaving in and out until you reach the top,
1. Desired cover material is cut to create a front cover,
then immediately proceed into next signature.
a back cover, and a strip the desired width of the spine.

11. Repeat for all signatures.

2. Holes are punched evenly along the spine edge
of each cover.
12. Secure the final thread with a kettle stitch knot.

3. Lay the covers and the spine in the correct order,

like the book is sitting open. Begin sewing on the
outside. Go through the top hole, then over to Notes
the top hole on the opposite cover, making sure
that the thread goes under the spine. This was the most interesting type of binding that I chose
to create. It is easily the newest, and has an interesting story
4. Then come out the front and return to opposite about its creation. This method of binding is very similar
cover top hole, making sure thread is on top of the to hardback binding, but has a lot more potential for mod-
spine piece. ification and design. It is a very hands-on and in-depth
process though. I would not recommend this for binding
5. Repeat so that each pair of holes is connected by
more than a few copies as it requires a lot of sewing.
3 lines of string, and that the move to a lower hole
It is a method very much geared toward use in artist books,
is done from one hole to another on the same cover.
but really allows you to expand your view of the

6. 
Tie the string off at the end on the inside of the cover. possibilities of hardback binding.

7. Mark holes on the spine of each signature just

above and below each set of strings on the spine.

8. Starting with the signature closed, feed your thread

through the bottom most hole, then up and out the
second hole.

9. When thread is outside signature feed it under

the set of three strings on the spine.

18
Anne Goy, The New Bookbinder: Journal of Designer Bookbinders, (Designer
Bookbinders Publications Ltd, 2017), 71.
DISPLAY

As part of the project requirement, these works were

on display. The exhibit was done in the Project Gallery
of the Myers School of Art, located in Folk Hall. The
space was shared with another Honors project, but each
project was done and completed independently. The
projects gallery was reserved November 7th–13th, 2019.
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