The boards are cut from the textblock. Care is taken not to cut into the textblock.

                                               

                                               

The front and back boards are cut away from the spine, and any excess or loose materials are trimmed away from the board edges.

                                               

 

If the old spine is still legible and intact, it is generally re-used. It is trimmed evenly with the scalpel so that it is narrower, and with a scalpel and straightedge or scissors so that it is shorter.

                                               

                                               

 

Then any loose material, or excess paper and dried glue is cleaned or scraped off the spine of the text block and the back of the spine piece.

                                              

Any loose front or back pages (end sheets, title page, etc) are tipped-on to the text block with a thin band of PVA adhesive.

                                               

                                               

 

Excessive paper edging is trimmed from the shoulder of the textblock.

                                               

 

A very thin line of PVA is applied to the shoulder and a (1.5" width) piece of linen strip, cut to the exact height of the textblock, is attached (front and back).

                                               

 

                                               

 

A color of buckram material is selected that either closely matches the color of the book casing or is an appealing contrast. The buckram is trimmed on the board shears to equal the height of the cover plus one inch at the top and bottom. The buckram should be wide enough that it overlaps onto both the front and back boards. The buckram is not so wide that it covers any text that might be on the covers.

                                               

A strip of bristol paper is selected and measured to be the same width as the spine and the height of the book.

                                               

 

 

                                              

 

Holes are drilled through the shoulder at the marks about 1/2 cm in from the edge of the shoulder and at an angle so that they  come out on the spine about 1/2 cm down

                                             

 

The linen piece is anchored with linen thread sewn in overcast.

                                           

                                           

 

The buckram piece is folded in half width-wise and nipped at the center. Then it is laid finished side down on a piece of scrap paper or newsprint and PVA is applied. The scrap paper or newsprint is carefully removed, and the bristol piece is laid down centered both vertically and horizontally.

                                          

                                          

                                          

 

Each board is carefully set down about 1/4 inch from the edge of the bristol piece. The text block is then placed on the back board, lined up with the endsheet on the back board.

                                         

                                         

Once lined up, the text block is removed and the buckram is folded over and pressed down with a bone folder (top and bottom). The text block is put back down and lined up, and a piece of wax paper or silicone paper is put under the linen strip.

                                         

                                         

 

A throw-away piece of paper is put on top of the wax paper and PVA is applied to the linen strip. Once the glue is applied it is removed.

                                        

 

The book is closed and the outer hinge is boned down with a bone folder, working well into the shoulder (front and back).

                                        

                                        

Books are stacked fore edge to back edge and allowed to dry.