One of my bookbinding heroes, William Mathews, told Enid Batham about his future books in response to the price of gold going up, “I’m not going to wipe off any gold, they’re all going to be smothered in gold”. Gold finishing has long been associated with the finest bookbinding. But covering things with thinly beaten… Continue reading Bath Brick and Gold Cushions
Author: Darryn Schneider
I have been a craft bookbinder and restorer for 30 years off and on. I have not made my living in the trade, however I strive to be as professional as possible at the craft.
Bookbinding Suppliers
In these difficult times it’s important we support the suppliers of materials and tools to the bookbinding craft. Below is a list of suppliers I either use, or I know to have a very good reputation, and one day I hope to buy from. The 2 main retailers that I buy from are Hewits and… Continue reading Bookbinding Suppliers
PDF Files for Blank Books
A4 Visitors Book Print to A3 paper, flip on short edge. Title pageOne blank pageAll pages the same
YouTube Channel
A Guide to DAS Bookbinding YouTube Channel. Getting Started How to Print Sections or Signatures from a PDF File for BookbindingMaking Bookbinding PasteMaking Bookbinding Paste in the MicrowaveWhat is Paper Grain and How to Identify the DirectionBookbinding Knots: Square, Kettle, Weavers KnotsTrimming a Text Block with a KnifeOpening a New BookProtecting a Dust Jacket with… Continue reading YouTube Channel
Mini Springback
I've just finished a prototype of a mini springback binding. At 3 3/4 inches tall, it's too large to be a miniature book. It is the first small binding of a traditional structure that I have made. Single section pamphlets don't count. In general I like to go big rather than small. But after the… Continue reading Mini Springback
Cloth Springback Notebook
I finished the 3 part tutorial on binding a full cloth springback notebook this week. I can’t remember seeing anything like this on the internet before. Springbacks are traditionally large books and I made some modifications to scale down the size. I have also only used book cloth so that leather skills (or availability) is… Continue reading Cloth Springback Notebook
Springback Binding Endpapers
I’ve been doing a lot of work on springback bindings in the last few months. I hope to make some videos on complete projects soon. Before I video full projects, I will do videos on some of the components that are different to letterpress binding. The first of these, which I posted this week, is… Continue reading Springback Binding Endpapers
Press Restoration
When first starting out with bookbinding there are a few pieces of equipment which are hard to live without and difficult to obtain, especially on a budget. You can make do, but it’s frustrating. One of these is a nipping press. I was about 20 when I took my first bookbinding lesson as a broke… Continue reading Press Restoration
Needle and Thread
Bookbinders use unbleached linen thread almost exclusively for sewing sections. Of course, there is nothing stopping you using whatever you want. However, natural flax spun to make linen is recognized for its strength and longevity. In the early 20th century a few authors, such as Douglas Cockerell and Edith Diehl, recommend ligature silk as used… Continue reading Needle and Thread
Mrs. R. L. Reid: The Craft Bookbinder
In 1924 The Courier Mail ran a story about the Arts and Crafts and a lady from Melbourne, recently arrived, who bound books. Mrs. R. L. Reid was from then on mentioned regularly in Brisbane newspapers for her expertise in book binding, musical talents, her presentations about crafts, and presentations on very early radio broadcasts. … Continue reading Mrs. R. L. Reid: The Craft Bookbinder
