Bookbinding Basics: Chapter 2 - Basic Materials & How To Make Your First Notebook

Hi everyone! In this short series I will be presenting some of the foundational skills and knowledge I've learned while on my own bookbinding journey. In this second part I will discuss the basic materials needed to get started bookbinding, and at the end I'll show you how to bind your first simple book!

If you'd like to skip right to the tutorial go here: 10:20

I hope you enjoy the video! If you do, please consider subscribing to the channel for more bookbinding content in the future.

Cheers!
Dennis
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[bubblepop]

I wish all youtube tutorials were this thorough. No assumed knowledge at all. I appreciated the time taken to explain what the numbers associated with your materials can mean for the end product

[radniksatrake]

you are the best. I am thanking you from all my heart. At last, I can find peace in work and leave my iPhone turned off for the whole day. I am really enjoying it, like a real love it cannot be explained.

[Erictopus]

Man. I just made my first book. Literally just cut the last edge of the thing. A thank you for the knowledge from Brazil! :)

[premierceramiccoating]

Thank you for your endorsement of the metric system!

In the metric system, you don't need to have arcane knowledge about paper weights, and you don't need an "entire video" to explain it. In fact, if you stop this video at 3:00 (red Staples label) you can see how it works. Right next to the "20lb" you can see the metric weight: 75 g/m² - no matter what kind of paper you have in front of you. It's easy to go for paper a bit more substantial, just go with 100 g/m². Different paper type but same weight? Still 100 g/m².

Incidentally, you might want to take a look at A format paper (A4, A3 etc.) while you are at it. Its size is not as arbitrary as it seems: First of all, every A format is half the size of its predecessor, so A4 is half of A3. A0 has a size of exactly 1 m². In fact, every format Ax has a size of (2 raised to the power of -x), in m².

Second, and more importantly for practical applications: Every A sheet has a ratio of 1:sqr(2). From that is follows that you can half any A format sheet and get exactly two sheets of the following size. So one A4 would make two A5. For book binding, you can get an A3 sheet, fold it over, and it would be exactly A4.

It's the metric SYSTEM, not an arbitrary bunch of numbers you have to learn by rote.

[lpa]

Excellent tutorial—Clear and precise! Thank you so much. I look forward to watching your other videos. Take care.

[mrnnhnz]

I love this channel. The bookbinding info is great, of course, but it's not even that (mainly, ) it's the wholesome vibe he gives it 🙂

[biblio_mama]

Thank you for making beginning bookbinding accessible and attainable.

[calvb]

Working through these videos one by one, they are excellent! Thank you.

[omkprintables]

this is by far the most useful. straight forward bookbinding tutorial ever! thank you so much, I was just about to quit my bookbinding dream after watching a few overly-complicated video tutorials, I feel much more confident to try now! thank you thank you

[sirghostt]

i really appreciate how in both parts you give alternatives you may already have in your house! i want to try out binding but don’t wanna buy too many materials all at once. thank you!

[billreinhold]

These videos demonstrate both a high quality of video production AND great information about bookbinding. Superb production!

[j.s.matlock]

Thank you for an interesting and informative video. From the time I was a small child, I've been fascinated with books. Not just an avid reader, I am enthralled with how they are made. Writing, printing, and binding, it's like some arcane magic creating portals into someone else's mind and experiences.

[KyraK]

These videos are equally calming and educational. Thank you!

[andrewfrauenpreis]

I wish I could like your video more than once, thank you for introducing me to my new favorite hobby!

[fateetee]

Im so happy right now
I never thought making a book would be this easy! Thank you so much for this amazing tutorial ❤

[brianlegg]

Simple, practical, drama free instruction. I'm going to use these techniques to repair a 1937 antique 2 volume Mandolin Playing course that's falling apart. Great video. Thank you.

[moonpiemoonpie]

I’m so excited. This is m’y most anticipated hobby!!!💕💕💕

[caspenbee]

Your directions are very clear and your workspace makes for beautiful video. Thank you so much for making this excellent series available to us for free!!

[susanjacquier]

I've been making notebooks for years as a hobby...but never have learned So much in such a short time watching this video.

[korosheht]

Thank you man youre a life saver
I really didn't want to waste the left overs from large papers a bought in bulk and now i can make small sketchbooks from them