A4 Pad Without Cover, Bound On The Left

[Fredholm]

I've been looking for ages for an A4 pad for a leather padfolio but I can't seem to find any that fit all the criterea:

 

Bound on the left

A4 size + 1 cm maximum including binding

Have no cover (it's not a notebook but an insert really)

Be suitable for fountain pens

 

In essence it's a yellow legal pad, only bound on the left and with better quality paper.

 

Does such a pad exist?

[macaddicted]

I don’t, but I can describe how to make your own.

 

Items:

2 30 cm (12") sticks

2 good clamps

1 piece of chipboard (card stock) to size

A4 paper of your choice, about .5 to .75 cm high

Padding glue (NOT NCR glue)

 

Instructions:

Place the chipboard below the paper and level the edges. Set the paper stack on a smooth, hard surface. Put the boards above and below the edge of the stack and clamp tightly in place. You’ll want a few millimeters hanging outside on the glue edge. Paint the glue on with a coarse brush. If you want a ticker binding wait for the glue to become just a bit tacky and paint on another coat.

 

This is known as perfect binding, and how bulk pads are made in small print shops. If you’d like you can make multiple pads at once, just use a metal blade (a thin icing knife works well) to separate the pads at the chipboard.

 

More of a process, yes, but the pads will be formatted with the paper, and imprint if you chose, that you want.

[Fredholm]

Hadn't thought about making my own since I'm mostly, if not all, thumbs but that actually sounds like something I could do. Thanks for the info.

 

I'll try that and keep an eye out for a professional version.

[MHBru]

Most local print shops can do this for you, too.

[Chrissy]

What is "padding glue?" Something like Elmers envelope gum?

[rafapa]

Maybe the glued Fabriano Ecoqua notebook if you cut the cover will do.

https://www.fabrianoboutique.com/ecoqua-a4-collato-2280.html

[macaddicted]

What is "padding glue?" Something like Elmers envelope gum?

 

 

It is literally glue to make pads. Amazon link (non-affiliate). As I mentioned it is called perfect binding. It’s not something that should be used in something that is intended to be stored long term (think about paperback books, which also use perfect binding). It is, though, a very effective means of creating inexpensive custom pads. No stitching (either staples or string) and no perforations for tearing off sheets. I make pads from stacks of index cards.

 

The problem with the name is that the glue for NCR (no carbon required) paper stacks is also called "padding glue."

[zephyrdeluxe]

Seconding the glued Ecoqua A4 notebook as a ready made option, though as far as I know that style only comes in dot grid.

 

I use the A5 version in a Lihit Lab Smart Fit folio and it works well for daily jotting.

 

[Chrissy]

 

 

It is literally glue to make pads. Amazon link (non-affiliate). As I mentioned it is called perfect binding. It’s not something that should be used in something that is intended to be stored long term (think about paperback books, which also use perfect binding). It is, though, a very effective means of creating inexpensive custom pads. No stitching (either staples or string) and no perforations for tearing off sheets. I make pads from stacks of index cards.

 

The problem with the name is that the glue for NCR (no carbon required) paper stacks is also called "padding glue."

 

Thank you.

[WillN]

I never even heard of padding glue before. Thank you! I've been binding my DIY notebooks with hot glue sticks. Works for laser paper, not so good for Tomoe River paper

 

Is it recommended to rough up the end of the paper in the clamp before applying the glue?

(I usually go at it with a wood rasp and utility knife before melting on the hot glue stick, then I iron it down and onto a backing made from a manila folder. )

I'll have to give the padding glue a try.