Episodes
Wednesday Jan 02, 2013
Episode 95: Measuring & Alignment
Wednesday Jan 02, 2013
Wednesday Jan 02, 2013
I had a couple of problems with making books that I decided to clear up. The first slight confusing thing is the alignment of the edges (top and bottom) of the covers. The second confusion is measuring the width of the book cover. To align the edges, I checked out this video on YouTube: Bookbinding Casing in by TJ Book Arts. http://youtu.be/AHT3NXYoUTk.
She uses a strip of craft paper. She glues the spine on the paper, measures the joint, then glues the book boards on. In this way, you can instantly tell if the head and tail edges are aligned or not. When you put the text block in and close the covers, you can also see how much of an overhang you have. (Or square of the book, if you will.)
The second problem, the width of the book boards has a variety of solutions. Some teachers and videos just eyeball it and it works out. I need a more concrete solution. The one I've been using is text block - joint width + 2.5 mm. I use 2.5 mm because when I cut the book board height, I use text block + 5 mm. This gives me a 2.5 square.
For the joint width, I generally use this formula: thickness of the board x 3.5. A 2 mm thick board gets a 7 mm joint width. A 1 mm thick board gets a 3.5 mm joint width. And a couple of days ago, I decided to sit down and really work out these two problems. I measure carefully, I used the strip of craft paper and when I put the text block in the casing? I found a big problem: Too little space on the fore edge. I simply cut the craft paper and adjusted it all.
The end result was The Purple Slacker. This is a 120-page lined journal with, I think, excellent square (overhang between text and edge of the book cover) and great alignment.
But the main result is the increase in confidence in building books. Remember, though, that an increase in confidence doesn't necessarily mean an increase in competence. I hope, however, that competence will follow.
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