Does Bookbinding Even Need Glue?

[sirgilbert357]

So I know some of you have seen my thread on journal costs and I've toyed with the idea of making my own. For now, I'm good on journals, but I'm still really interested in making my own and I've been reading all I can to truly understand how to sew the signatures together. I've seen quite a few diagrams and tutorials and all that, and I get it now. But, I'm a bit confused as to the "need" for the glue down the spine. In my thoroughly ignorant to bookbinding mind, it seems like stitching the signatures should be enough to hold them in place and if not, why aren't they stitched directly to a heavy fabric (those tactical nylon belts come to mind)? That would be more permanent and would seem to offer as much or more durability than glue with a strip of cheesecloth or whatever the material is called. What am I missing?

[GatzBcn]

One glues the spine to give more strength than just sewing and to make the rounded form of the spine. Also, to make the backing of the spine.

Not just that. On the spine one puts the cheesecloth, a material that needs to be glued "under" and "over" in order to make its function, that is, to blend with the paper. it offers strength and is very thin. Also, in some bindings it helps attaching the cover to the book.

Finally, if you only stitch the signatures, you are putting all the force on the thread, and it's much more likely to break. When you put the glue on the spine, it's very unlikely that the thread breaks.

[NevynM]

You *need* glue to attach the pretty stuff to the greyboard to give you a nice looking colour, and to attach the fly sheet.

 

To actually bind the book, no, you don't *need* it. But as GatzBCN says, it will add strength if the book will be used a lot.

[byggyns]

Having repaired bindings on a couple of books, I will echo the need for glue to add durability & longevity. I have repaired a few Bibles, which get used regularly. When doing the repairs, I added more of the fabric to the spine and more glue to keep the folios together. The major threat is that the signatures separate from each other during prolonged use. I used cotton muslin fabric to do the repairs as it is thin, still has a somewhat loose weave, and allows good glue penetration.

[sirgilbert357]

I guess I was looking for a shortcut and hoping there was an easier way. I'm kind of an all or nothing guy, so if I attempt a journal, I'm going to want to do it right and make it really nice. Just seems like a lot of work though. I hate to start something and then not finish it...

[Bookbinders Online]

Whilst perhaps missing the point, If you would like an easy alternative for your first practice i believe there are a few ready made book blocks, the pages sewn and glued with end papers attached, trimmed down and ready to bind into your cover. I have seen some on the Talas website (and they are in the U.S) whilst looking for other supplies and they do look like a decent quality.

[sirgilbert357]

Whilst perhaps missing the point, If you would like an easy alternative for your first practice i believe there are a few ready made book blocks, the pages sewn and glued with end papers attached, trimmed down and ready to bind into your cover. I have seen some on the Talas website (and they are in the U.S) whilst looking for other supplies and they do look like a decent quality.

 

Hmm, interesting. Thanks for the info!