Book Binding Tutorials

All of these tutorials are free. They are the result of 25 years practicing as a professional book binder I sincerely hope they will be of use to anyone within the craft or those who seek to enter it.

I have made every attempt to make these tutorials as complete and fail proof as possible, every step of each element is illustrated with photographs and diagrams accompanied by a detailed textual description. As a result they can be quite lengthy, the tutorial on How to Make a Set of Sterling Silver Book Clasps runs to 76 pages, but it is to be hoped that after completion you will not have to rely so heavily on the instruction next time.

Some of these tutorials are aimed at book binders with some experience, but the manual on gilding is aimed at the novice, I have deliberately simplified this gilding method in order to give those starting gilding onto leather a better chance of getting some good results. 

Just click on the image of the book to be taken to a page where you can read more about the manual and download it if you wish.

Every experienced book binder should know how to make a set of clasps, this method is a development of a set of book clasps I first saw made in a manual of book binding by Douglas Cockerell. They are simple and elegant and can be applied to any book provided the board thickness is not less than 3mm. Vellum and sterling silver make a very attractive combination.

The cost of materials is very little, and take less time than other methods of fitting clasps.

How to carry out Book Edge Marbling including a detailed method of marbling itself which results in damp proof papers. It is surprisingly easy to marble the edges of a book, the trick is learning how to marble paper first.

How to Gild onto Leather using a simple step by step process. This manual illustrates the use of composition gold leaf, but the process will work just as well if you choose to use genuine gold leaf. This manual is aimed at the novice and it is to be hoped that with a little care you will be able to get very good results using this method.

This little manual provides a very elegant solution to the problems encountered when dealing with a single section binding.

Ready now for download, my new manual How to Achieve Various Distressed and Antique Finishes to Composition Gold Leaf. 

This manual will be of interest to anyone who uses composition gold leaf, or genuine gold leaf for that matter, it will also be of interest to the more adventuous book binders.

Add the beauty and sparkle of golden leaf  to your craft projects, such as scrapbooking, canvas, ceramics, plaster, glass, paper, and much more.

Also in the pipeline is a book aimed at those who feel they are prepared to commit themselves a little to the craft of bookbinding by purchasing a minimum of equipment and materials, you can if you are inventive use very little equipment at all, but it is undeniable that using a well made piece of equipment is a pleasure in itself.

It is not easy to write a tutorial which clearly explains how to sew multi colour headbands, how ever I hope this tutorial which I am in the process of writing will do this for you.